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Trump Announces 25% Tariff on Imports from Japan and South Korea, Effective August 1

Trump Announces 25% Tariff on Imports from Japan and South Korea, Effective August 1

U.S. President Donald Trump took to the social media platform Truth Social to announce that, starting August 1, a 25% tariff will be imposed on all imported goods from Japan and South Korea. This marks the first official written notification to major Asian allies following the Trump administration's launch of its "Big and Beautiful" tariff plan. Trump warned that if Japan or South Korea retaliates, the U.S. will impose an additional 25% tariff.

According to screenshots of two letters released by Trump, the recipients are Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, with the letters indicating a 25% tariff rate while emphasizing that the rate may be adjusted based on future "bilateral relations." The tariff on Japan is higher than the 24% announced by Trump on April 2, while the rate for South Korea remains unchanged. During the period of tariff suspension, both Japan and South Korea actively negotiated, but results appear limited.

Regarding the U.S.-Japan tariff negotiations, Trump recently expressed a tough stance, stating: "We’ve been negotiating with Japan, and they (Japan) are very tough; they’ve been spoiled for too long." He also criticized Japan for lacking rice yet refusing to import American rice, to which Prime Minister Ishiba countered, "We import California rice, and the U.S. must recognize this fact." Trump further warned that if Japan raises tariffs on U.S. goods, the U.S. will respond with proportionate retaliation from the initial 25% rate.