As its trade negotiators headed to Washington for talks, South Korea announced measures to support the country’s carmakers who were badly hit by the levies announced by President Trump.

South Korea is seeking to cut a “big” trade deal with the US after a last-minute phone call between Donald Trump and Acting President Han Duck-soo raised the prospects of bringing some relief to the export-reliant nation hit hard by tariffs blitz.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he discussed tariffs, shipbuilding and potential energy deals in a "great call" with South Korea's acting President Han Duck-soo on Tuesday, a day before a 25% tariff on the Asian ally is scheduled to kick in.