U.S. President Trump Announces 25% Tariffs on South Korea and Japan

On July 7 local time, U.S. President Trump posted letters on social media to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, announcing that the U.S. will impose a 25% tariff on all products from Japan and South Korea starting August 1, 2025.

Trump stated that despite significant trade deficits with South Korea and Japan, the U.S. will continue to cooperate with both nations. However, he emphasized that this cooperation will proceed on the premise of more balanced and fair trade. Trump argued that the trade imbalance poses a major threat to the U.S. economy and national security, necessitating change. Beginning August 1, 2025, the U.S. will impose a 25% tariff on all goods from South Korea and Japan, independent of any industry-specific tariffs. Additionally, attempts to circumvent this tariff through third-country transshipment will incur even higher duties.

Trump noted that companies choosing to build or produce goods within the U.S. will be exempt from this tariff. Furthermore, if South Korea and Japan opt to raise tariffs on the U.S., America will impose additional tariffs of an equivalent magnitude on top of the existing 25% rate.