Overview
- In a Truth Social post, the president said tariffs on South Korean autos, lumber, pharmaceuticals and other reciprocal categories would rise to 25% from 15%.
- He linked the move to the South Korean National Assembly’s delay in enacting a 2025 framework that capped U.S. duties at 15% and included roughly $350 billion in South Korean investment in the United States.
- South Korea’s presidential office said it was not informed in advance and said Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan will travel to Washington for talks, with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick named as his counterpart.
- A pending Supreme Court case reviewing the administration’s use of emergency powers for country-specific tariffs could limit the legal authority to impose such duties.
- Analysts warned the higher rate would pressure South Korean exporters—especially autos and pharmaceuticals—and could lift U.S. consumer prices and add volatility to regional markets.