Trump raises South Korea tariffs after accusing Seoul of breaking trade deal
Summary:
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Trump announced a tariff hike on South Korean goods from 15% to 25%.
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The move targets autos, lumber, pharmaceuticals, and all reciprocal tariffs.
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Trump blamed South Korea’s legislature for failing to approve a 2025 trade deal.
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The agreement was reached with President Lee in July and reaffirmed in October.
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The escalation raises fresh trade and geopolitical risks in Asia.
US President Donald Trump said he will raise tariffs on a broad range of South Korean imports to 25%, accusing Seoul’s legislature of failing to honour the terms of a previously agreed bilateral trade deal.
In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said the US had already moved to reduce tariffs under the terms of recent trade agreements and expected its partners to do the same. He argued that South Korea’s National Assembly had failed to enact what he described as a “historic” trade agreement, despite it being agreed with President Lee on July 30, 2025, and reaffirmed during Trump’s visit to Korea on October 29, 2025.
As a result, Trump said he was increasing tariffs on South Korean autos, lumber, pharmaceuticals, and all other reciprocal tariffs from 15% to 25%, citing the legislature’s inaction rather than executive resistance in Seoul.
The announcement marks a renewed escalation in US trade pressure on South Korea, reviving concerns about policy unpredictability and the use of tariffs as leverage in enforcing trade commitments. It also raises the risk of retaliatory measures and renewed volatility across Asia-Pacific markets, particularly for sectors with deep US–Korea supply-chain integration.
South Korea’s auto and pharmaceutical exporters are likely to be among the most exposed, while the move adds another layer of uncertainty to the regional trade outlook at a time when geopolitical tensions remain elevated
