STORY: Pressure is growing for South Korean officials to reach a deal on tariffs, after Japan's success in striking a trade agreement with the U.S. this week.:: HD Hyundai Heavy IndustriesNow a shipbuilding partnership is one idea being discussed - according to government and industry sources - in exchange for better terms.

The agreement that Japan secured has added pressure on South Korea to defuse the threat of high tariffs on its exports to the United States.

South Korea's Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and top trade envoy Yeo Han-koo will meet U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington again on Friday in a bid to move closer to a deal on tariffs,