US President Donald Trump on Monday announced a new round of tariffs, revealing plans to impose a 25% duty on imports from Japan and South Korea starting August 1.
The move follows Trump’s statement that he would be sending formal letters to the leaders of a dozen countries outlining the new trade measures. He shared copies of those letters on his Truth Social platform, marking a fresh escalation in his ongoing tariff campaign.
“If for any reason you decide to raise your tariffs, then whatever percentage you choose will be added on top of the 25% that we charge,” Trump warned in identical messages sent to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
The letters also included a direct warning to Southeast Asian nations not to respond with retaliatory tariffs, particularly in sectors like autos and electronics—industries that could be severely impacted by trade disruptions.
India is reportedly next in line to receive a tariff letter, as negotiations over a long-anticipated bilateral trade deal approach a critical deadline. If the deal isn’t finalized by July 9, a 26% tariff—comprising a new 16% hike on top of an existing 10%—will go into effect.
Monday’s tariff announcement marks another major development in Trump’s broader effort to reset global trade relationships, putting pressure on key allies and partners to strike more favorable deals with Washington.
