Trump to slap 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea on Aug. 1 – Washington Examiner
President Donald Trump announced that starting August 1, a 25% tariff will be imposed on products from Japan and South korea. This decision was communicated in letters to both Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan and President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea, just ahead of a deadline for other nations to negotiate trade agreements to avoid similar tariffs. Trump expressed concern over persistent trade deficits wiht these allies,asserting that their trade practices have not been reciprocal. He warned that his tariffs could lead to retaliatory actions but suggested that investing in the U.S. could help them avoid the tariffs. the move follows limited trade agreements struck by Trump since a recent Liberation Day, with only the UK and Vietnam having formed such deals, while discussions are ongoing with the European Union and India.
Trump sends letters to Japan and South Korea annoucing 25% tariffs on Aug. 1
President Donald Trump will impose 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea next month, prolonging the Liberation Day duty pause on those two allies amid trade negotiations.
Trump announced the tariffs in letters to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Monday. The personal notes published on social media came before Wednesday’s deadline for other countries to reach trade deals to avoid their own Liberation Day duties.
“We have had years to discuss our Trading Relationship with Japan, and have concluded that we must move away from these longterm, and very persistent, Trade Deficits engendered by Japan’s Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies, and Trade Barriers,” the president wrote, sending an identical letter to South Korea.
Trump added the trade relationships with Japan and South Korea have been, “unfortunately, far from Reciprocal,” warning them of retaliating against his tariffs and reminding them they can sidestep the duties by investing in the U.S.
“Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge Japan a Tariff of only 25% on any and all Japanese products sent into the United States, separate from all Sectoral Tariffs,” he wrote. “Good transshipped to evade a higher Tariff will be subject to that higher Tariff.”
Since Liberation Day, Trump has only struck trade deals with the United Kingdom and Vietnam, though agreements are close with the European Union and India.
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