Trump imposes 25% tariffs on goods from Japan and South Korea
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has announced the introduction of 25% tariffs on goods from Japan and South Korea. They will take effect on August 1, according to Trump's letters sent to the leaders of Japan and South Korea, published in Truth Social.
"We must move away from these long-term, and very persistent, trade deficits engendered by ... tariff, and non-tariff policies and trade barriers. Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal," Trump wrote.
Trump notified the countries that the US is imposing a 25% tariff on all incoming goods.
The American President warned Japan and South Korea against taking retaliatory measures, stating that any such actions would be met with a US response.
"If for any reason you decide to raise your tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 25% that we charge," Trump wrote.
Trump noted that the 25% tariffs do not include any sector-specific duties already imposed or to be introduced separately on imports in key industrial sectors.
Trump’s tariff policy
On April 2, President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs against most US trade partners, including a 10% base rate, with some tariffs reaching up to 50%.
However, he later paused the decision for 90 days until July 9 to allow time for trade negotiations. The 10% base tariff remained in effect during that period.
Recently, Trump stated he would not extend the tariff pause. He also threatened a new round of tariffs targeting Japan, criticizing the country for blocking American rice exports and calling the US-Japan auto trade unbalanced.
Despite tensions, his trade adviser confirmed that negotiations for a deal are ongoing.
