Trump announces 25% tariff on Japan and South Korea

US President Donald Trump has formally announced a 25% import duty on Japan and South Korea as part of his tough trade policy. He has given a clear message to the leadership of both countries that they should either accept these conditions or face the consequences.

Certified screenshots of letters sent to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung detailing the new tariff rules have been made public. President Trump has described this move as an important step towards America’s trade balance.

The letter addressed to the Japanese Prime Minister mentions that the US will no longer tolerate long-term trade deficit with Japan. According to the letter, an additional 25% duty will be imposed on all products imported from Japan from August 1, 2025. This duty will apply specifically to Japanese imports and will be separate from other regional tariffs. It is noteworthy that Japanese companies producing in the US will be exempt from this duty.

President Trump has described this 25% tariff as fair and indeed inadequate. According to him, the US trade deficit with Japan and South Korea is excessive and this imbalance is long-standing. He believes that this tariff rate is a positive initial step that will encourage domestic production and job creation.

The move is not limited to Japan and South Korea. President Trump has announced he has signed similar tariff letters for more than a dozen countries, which were made public on Monday. These actions have rekindled concerns about a global trade war.