6 months ago
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U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick connected Monday (December 1, 2025) confirmed that the wide tariff complaint connected imports from South Korea, including connected autos, would driblet to 15% retroactive to November 1 due to the fact that South Korea has introduced authorities successful parliament to instrumentality the country’s strategical U.S. concern commitments.
In a connection posted connected X, Mr. Lutnick said that the determination unlocks the “full benefit” of South Korea’s commercialized woody with President Donald Trump.
“In response, the U.S. volition little definite tariffs nether the woody — including car tariffs — to 15%, effectual November 1. We are besides removing tariffs connected airplane parts and volition ‘un-stack’ Korea’s reciprocal complaint to lucifer Japan and the EU.”
The bilateral commercialized woody besides caps immoderate aboriginal nationalist information tariffs connected semiconductors and pharmaceuticals astatine 15%, putting South Korea connected an adjacent footing with cardinal Asian rivals Japan and Taiwan.
The U.S. antecedently levied a 25% tariff connected imports from South Korea, including nationalist security-related autos duties invoked nether Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and “reciprocal” tariffs invoked nether the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977.
The U.S. Supreme Court could overturn the IEEPA-based tariffs successful coming weeks aft casting uncertainty connected the ineligible ground of them during oral arguments successful aboriginal November.
The South Korean ruling party’s authorities aims to marque bully connected Seoul’s statement to put $350 cardinal into strategical industries successful the U.S., including shipbuilding.
“Korea’s committedness to American concern strengthens our economical concern and home jobs and industry,” Mr. Lutnick said, adding that helium was “grateful for the heavy spot betwixt our 2 nations.”
