President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States would raise tariffs on a range of South Korean imports to 25%, escalating trade tensions with a key Asian ally as he accused Seoul’s legislature of failing to uphold its commitments under a bilateral trade agreement.
In a statement posted on social media, Trump said South Korea’s parliament had not enacted measures required under what he described as a “historic trade agreement” with Washington. While acknowledging that legislative approval was Seoul’s prerogative, Trump argued that the delay justified punitive action. As a result, tariffs on South Korean autos, lumber, pharmaceuticals and other reciprocal goods will rise from 15% to 25%, he said.
The move marks a sharp shift in tone toward South Korea, a long-standing U.S. security partner and one of its major trading counterparts in Asia. Trump framed the tariff increase as a response to what he sees as an imbalance created by South Korea’s failure to fully implement the terms of the deal, though he did not specify which provisions remained outstanding.
The tariff hike is likely to have significant implications for South Korean exporters, particularly in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors, which count the U.S. as a critical market. It also raises the prospect of retaliatory measures from Seoul, potentially complicating broader economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Trump has repeatedly used tariffs as leverage in trade disputes, arguing that higher duties are necessary to force partners to comply with agreements or renegotiate terms more favorable to the United States. His latest decision adds pressure on South Korea’s government and legislature at a time when global trade relations remain strained and protectionist measures are on the rise.
