Trump raises tariffs on imports from South Korea to 25%

The US president justified the decision by citing delays in the ratification of the trade agreement

US President Donald Trump announced an increase in tariffs on goods from South Korea from 15% to 25%. He wrote about this on his social network Truth Social.

Trump accused the country’s parliament of delaying the ratification of a trade agreement signed last year.

The new tariffs apply to South Korean cars, lumber, pharmaceutical products, and “all other” mutual trade items.

The US and South Korea reached a trade agreement at the end of July 2025 that included a 15% tariff on all South Korean imports. It also included South Korea’s commitment to invest $350 billion in the United States and purchase $100 billion worth of American LNG and other energy products.

According to the BBC, the agreement was submitted to the South Korean National Assembly on November 26 last year and is currently under consideration. According to local media reports, the document is likely to be approved in February.

The country claims that it was not officially notified of the decision to raise tariffs and is seeking urgent talks with Washington on the issue.

South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jong-kwan, who is currently visiting Canada, plans to travel to the United States to meet with Commerce Secretary Howard Luttin. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo is also expected to visit Washington soon for talks with US Trade Representative Jamie Greer.

On January 21, Donald Trump abandoned plans to impose tariffs on imports from the United Kingdom and seven EU member states due to their position on Greenland. Earlier that day, the European Parliament officially suspended the ratification process for a trade agreement with the United States in protest against the US president’s threats.