Trump hikes tariffs on South Korea over stalled trade deal
US President Donald Trump announced a hike in tariffs on South Korean goods to 25%, accusing Seoul’s legislature of failing to approve a previously agreed trade deal. The higher duties will hit autos, lumber, pharmaceuticals and other goods, escalating trade tensions between the allies.
- World
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 06:49 | 27 January 2026
US President Donald Trump announced higher tariffs Monday on South Korean goods, accusing Seoul's legislature of failing to approve a previously agreed trade deal.
"Our Trade Deals are very important to America. In each of these Deals, we have acted swiftly to reduce our TARIFFS in line with the Transaction agreed to. We, of course, expect our Trading Partners to do the same," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
Saying that "South Korea's Legislature is not living up to its Deal with the United States," he said: "President Lee (Jae Myung) and I reached a Great Deal for both Countries on July 30, 2025, and we reaffirmed these terms while I was in Korea on October 29, 2025. Why hasn't the Korean Legislature approved it?"
Trump said that because the agreement has not been enacted, "I am hereby increasing South Korean TARIFFS on Autos, Lumber, Pharma, and all other Reciprocal TARIFFS, from 15% to 25%."
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