On July 8, US President Donald Trump announced that he will impose a 25% tariff on all imported goods from Japan and South Korea. This move is considered to increase trade pressure on these two East Asian countries and encourage businesses to shift production to US territory.
According to information from the White House, official letters have been sent to South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, clearly stating that the 25% tariff rate will be applied uniformly to all items originating from the two countries, starting from August 1, 2025. This tariff measure will be completely separate from previous industry-specific taxes, meaning that all imported goods, regardless of type, will be subject to a higher tax rate.
However, the White House also clarified that Japanese and South Korean companies may be exempt from tariffs if production is carried out directly in the United States. This indicates that the Trump administration continues to maintain a protectionist trade policy while seeking to attract foreign investment to the US through tax incentives.
This new move could have a strong impact on economic relations between the US and Japan and South Korea, as well as significantly affect the global supply chain. Experts warn that without reasonable negotiation solutions, trade conflicts between the three countries could escalate, causing instability in the international market.
