'Not Living Up To Deal': Trump Hikes Tariffs On South Korea To 25% Over Delay In Trade Agreement

<p>US President Donald Trump on Monday said tariffs on a broad range of South Korean imports would be raised to 25 per cent, up from the existing 15 per cent. This raise would be imposed on automobiles, lumber, and pharmaceuticals.</p> <p>Trump said the decision was prompted by what he described as the South Korean legislature&rsquo;s failure to uphold commitments under an existing trade agreement with the United States.</p> <p>The announcement was made on Truth Social, where Trump wrote, "Because the Korean Legislature hasn't enacted our Historic Trade Agreement, which is their prerogative, I am hereby increasing South Korean TARIFFS on Autos, Lumber, Pharma, and all other Reciprocal TARIFFS, from 15% to 25%." There was no immediate clarity on whether the higher duties have already taken effect.</p> <p><iframe class="truthsocial-embed" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0;" src="https://ift.tt/2n5zKx8" width="600" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <script src="https://ift.tt/jUR4Vev" async="async"></script> </p> <p>South Korea is among the United States&rsquo; largest trading partners, exporting goods worth USD 132 billion to the US in 2024, Commerce Department figures show. Automobiles and auto components account for a significant share of these exports, along with semiconductors and electronic products, which are industries that may now see cost pressures from the tariff increase.</p> <p>The move reverses a trade arrangement outlined in July, when Trump had announced a flat 15 per cent tariff on South Korean imports, a figure notably lower than levels he had earlier proposed.</p> <p>Under that earlier understanding, Trump had also said Seoul agreed to "give to the United States $350 Billion Dollars for Investments owned and controlled by the United States, and selected by myself, as President."</p> <p>He further said the step came after what he called repeated delays by lawmakers in Seoul. &ldquo;President Lee and and I reached a Great Deal for both Countries on July 30, 2025,&rdquo; he wrote, noting that the agreement was reiterated during his subsequent visit to Korea that year. &ldquo;Why hasn&rsquo;t the Korean Legislature approved it?&rdquo;</p> <p>This latest escalation follows several earlier tariff threats by the Trump administration that were ultimately not enforced. These included a proposed 10 per cent tariff on Canada after Ontario aired an anti-tariff World Series advertisement, possible duties on European countries linked to Greenland, and a 100 per cent tariff on Canada floated over the weekend.</p> <p>The development also comes against the backdrop of legal challenges to Trump&rsquo;s use of trade powers. In November, the US Supreme Court heard arguments questioning tariffs imposed without congressional approval, with some justices expressing doubts over the president&rsquo;s authority to introduce such measures independently.</p>

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