Trump says hiking tariffs on South Korean goods to 25 pct

WASHINGTON (Jan 27): US President Donald Trump said Monday that he would raise tariffs on various South Korean goods, taking aim at the country for “not living up to” an earlier trade pact struck with Washington.

The increase would apply to South Korean autos, lumber, pharmaceuticals and various other goods facing “reciprocal tariffs,” Trump said, bringing tariff levels from 15 per cent to 25 per cent.

“South Korea’s Legislature is not living up to its Deal with the United States,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

He added that he was increasing tariff rates “because the Korean Legislature hasn’t enacted our Historic Trade Agreement, which is their prerogative.”

The US leader’s about-face comes months after Washington and Seoul struck a trade and security deal, capping a period of tense negotiations.

The agreement was finalized after Trump met his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae Myung in October, and included investment promises by South Korea alongside tariff cuts by the United States.

Under the pact, Washington would maintain levies of up to 15 per cent on South Korean goods including vehicles, car parts and pharmaceuticals.

Crucially, the deal’s terms brought US tariffs on South Korean cars down from a 25 per cent level.

Trump’s latest threat, if enacted, would reverse that.

The auto industry accounts for 27 per cent of South Korea’s exports to the United States, which takes in nearly half of the country’s car exports.

A reversal to a higher tariff level could also put South Korean exports in a less advantageous position compared with economies like Japan and the European Union, which have both struck deals for a 15 per cent US tariff.

The Trump administration has yet to issue formal notices to enact the changes.

The US president’s threat targeting South Korea marks his latest against key trading partners in recent days.

Over the weekend, Trump warned Canada that if it concludes a trade deal with China, he would impose a 100 per cent tariff on all goods coming across the border.

Earlier in January, Trump also threatened to slap tariffs on multiple European nations until his purchase of Greenland is achieved. He has since backed off the threat. – AFP