Overview
- President Donald Trump announced the increase on Truth Social, lifting duties from 15% to 25% on autos, pharmaceuticals, wood and other reciprocally tariffed goods.
- He cited the National Assembly’s failure to approve a trade framework reached on July 30, 2025 and reaffirmed during his Oct. 29 visit to Seoul.
- The administration has not provided any additional timelines or conditions for reversing the hike beyond legislative approval in South Korea.
- The policy builds on unilateral tariff actions previously imposed under an economic emergency declaration as the U.S. Supreme Court weighs the scope of presidential tariff authority after November arguments.
- Automakers face immediate exposure, with Hyundai the largest U.S. importer of new vehicles from South Korea, and the move follows recent tariff threats involving European nations and Canada.