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Trump says he is raising tariffs on South Korea to 25%

US president says he is raising tariffs from 15 percent due to Seoul’s failure to ratify a trade deal.

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on board Air Force One while flying between Ireland and Washington, DC, as he returns from the World Economic Forum, on January 22, 2026 [Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via AFP]

By John PowerPublished On 27 Jan 202627 Jan 2026

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United States President Donald Trump has threatened to hike tariffs on South Korea’s exports, accusing the East Asian ally of failing to ratify its trade deal with Washington fast enough.

In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump said he would raise his tariffs from 15 percent to 25 percent due to the failure of the South Korean legislature to ratify the trade pact struck between Washington and Seoul last year.

Trump said the higher tariff would apply to automobiles, lumber and pharmaceutical products, as well any goods covered under his baseline “reciprocal” tariff.

“South Korea’s Legislature is not living up to its Deal with the United States,” Trump said.

“Why hasn’t the Korean Legislature approved it?” he added.

The White House had yet to issue an executive order giving Trump’s threatened tariffs legal effect as of Monday night.

The US and South Korea announced a framework trade deal in July under which Trump agreed to lower his reciprocal tariff on South Korean goods from 25 percent to 15 percent.

Trump agreed to extend the 15 percent tariff rate to South Korean auto exports following his summit with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Gyeongju, South Korea, in October.

More to follow…