South Korea and the United States are expected to accelerate working-level tariff negotiations after President Lee Jae-myung and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to swiftly reach a mutually satisfactory agreement during their first phone conversation since Lee took office.

Trump allies have aired concerns about Lee's more conciliatory stance towards China, Washington's main geopolitical rival.

China has accused President Donald Trump of causing severe disruption to global supply chains after he doubled the United States' steel and aluminum tariffs to 50 percent. Trump hiked the Section 232 tariffs in a proclamation that took effect on June 4,

The United States doubled tariffs on steel and aluminium imports on Wednesday, activating a hike in the duties on the imported metals to 50% from the 25% rate introduced in March. The day also marks the Trump administration’s deadline for trading partners to submit their “best offers” to avoid further steep import duties set to take effect in early July.

President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have spoken amid stalled negotiations between both countries over tariffs that have roiled global trade