Trump announces 25% tariffs on Japan, South Korea in first U.S. trade letters

U.S. President Donald Trump walks after disembarking Marine One as he arrives at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 6, 2025.

Ken Cedeno | Reuters

The United States will impose 25% blanket tariffs on imports from Japan and South Korea starting Aug. 1, President Donald Trump revealed Monday.

Trump, in a pair of Truth Social posts, shared screenshots of letters apparently sent to Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung dictating the new tariff rates.

This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.

Source

Politics

The ‘middle powers’ are having a moment, but can they stand up to Trump?

January 27, 2026

(1st row from L to R): Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, President of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union Joao Lourenco and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney react as they attend a family photo event during a G20 Leaders’ Summit plenary session […]

Politics

‘Never interrupt your adversary when he’s making a mistake’: Why Beijing isn’t rushing to answer Trump’s tariff broadside

January 27, 2026

BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA – OCTOBER 30: U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping walk to a room for a bilateral meeting at Gimhae Air Base on October 30, 2025 in Busan, South Korea. Andrew Harnik | Getty Images News | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump has widened his tariff playbook, unleashing a […]

Politics

Trump says tariffs on South Korean autos, pharma, to rise to 25% over trade deal approval delay

January 26, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, October 29, 2025. Tyrone Siu | Reuters President Donald Trump said Monday that he was increasing tariffs on imported autos, pharmaceuticals, and lumber from South Korea from 15% to 25% because of a delay in that country’s […]