3 months ago
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U.S. President Donald Trump said connected Monday (January 26, 2026) that helium would rise tariffs connected South Korean goods, including autos, lumber and pharmaceuticals, accusing the state of not surviving up to an earlier commercialized pact struck with Washington.
The summation would bring tariff levels from 15% to 25%.
"South Korea's Legislature is not surviving up to its Deal with the United States," Mr. Trump wrote connected his Truth Social platform.
He added that helium was expanding tariff rates "because the Korean Legislature hasn't enacted our Historic Trade Agreement, which is their prerogative."
South Korea's Presidential bureau said it had not been informed astir the tariff hike plans successful advance.
It said Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan, presently successful Canada, would caput to Washington for talks connected the contented with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Mr. Trump's evident about-face comes months aft Washington and Seoul struck a commercialized and information deal, capping a play of tense negotiations.
The statement was finalised aft Mr. Trump met his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae Myung successful October, and included concern promises by South Korea alongside tariff cuts by the United States.
Since past it remained successful thing of a ineligible limbo successful South Korea.
Seoul's Presidential bureau insisted successful November that the woody does not necessitate parliamentary approval, arguing it represents a memorandum of knowing alternatively than a binding ineligible document.
Asked whether the tariff woody had been submitted to parliament for approval, a elder authoritative told AFP connected Tuesday (January 27, 2026) they were looking into it but did not elaborate.
Under the pact, Washington would support levies of up to 15 percent connected South Korean goods including vehicles, car parts and pharmaceuticals.
Crucially, the deal's presumption brought US tariffs connected South Korean cars down from a 25% level.
Mr. Trump's latest threat, if enacted, would reverse that.
Export symptom
The car manufacture accounts for 27% of South Korea's exports to the United States, which takes successful astir fractional of the country's car exports.
A reversal to a higher tariff level could besides enactment South Korean exports successful a little advantageous presumption compared with economies similar Japan and the European Union, which person some struck deals for a 15% U.S. tariff.
The Trump medication has yet to contented ceremonial notices to enact the changes.
The U.S. President's menace targeting South Korea is his latest against cardinal trading partners successful caller days.
Over the weekend, Mr. Trump warned Canada that if it concludes a commercialized woody with China, helium would enforce a 100% tariff connected each goods coming crossed the border.
Earlier successful January, Mr. Trump besides threatened to slap tariffs connected aggregate European nations until his acquisition of Greenland is achieved. He has since backed disconnected the threat.
