Trump slaps 25% tariffs on Japan, South Korea

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday (July 7, 2025) he was slapping 25% tariffs on imports from Japan and South Korea, in his first letters to trading partners ahead of a deadline to reach a deal.

In near-identically worded letters to the Japanese and South Korean leaders, Mr. Trump said the tariffs would apply from August 1 because their trading relationships with Washington were “unfortunately, far from Reciprocal.”