BILLINGS, Mont., Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Trade talks in Montana between the United States and South Korea broke down after Korean negotiators refused to continue negotiations, it was reported Sunday.
South Korea's team left the talks because the U.S. team rejected a demand that the United States to ease its anti-dumping regulations, which South Korea believes often discriminate against its products, The Korea Times reported.
Top U.S. negotiator Wendy Cutler termed as "extremely troubling" the weeklong talks that took place against the backdrop of a Montana ski resort.
A trade agreement with the world's 10th largest economy would be the largest U.S. trade deal since the North American Free Trade Agreement of 1993.
Top priorities for U.S. negotiators are to get the Seoul government to buy more U.S. patented medicines. They also want Seoul to fully reopen its market for U.S. beef, the Times said.
The final round of talks is scheduled to begin in South Korea Jan. 15.
