President Donald Trump has announced new 25 percent tariffs on all exports from Japan and South Korea to the United States, effective August 1, 2025. The move marks a dramatic escalation in his administration’s aggressive trade policy.
In separate letters released Tuesday to Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Trump cited long-standing trade imbalances and accused both nations of using unfair tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Trump warned that any retaliatory tariffs from either country would be met with additional levies on their exports. “If you raise your tariffs, that number will be added onto the 25 percent we charge,” he wrote to Lee.
Goods transshipped through either country to evade tariffs will also be subject to higher duties.
Still, Trump left the door open for negotiation. He wrote that the tariffs could be adjusted “depending on our relationship” and welcomed investment in U.S.-based manufacturing.
