Tariffs on South Korean autos, pharma, to rise to 25%
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, on October 29, 2025.
Tyrone Siu | Reuters
President Donald Trump said Monday that he is increasing tariffs on imports of cars, drugs and lumber from South Korea from 15% to 25% because of a delay in the country’s legislature approving last summer’s trade deal with the United States.
“The South Korean Legislative Assembly is not honoring the agreement it reached with the United States,” Trump said. Real Social mail
“President Lee [Jae Myung] I reached the Grand Agreement for both countries on July 30, 2025, and we reaffirmed these terms while in Korea on October 29, 2025. Why didn’t the Korean Legislative Assembly approve this?” Trump asked.
“Since the Korean Legislative Assembly has not enacted our Historic Trade Agreement, which is their prerogative, I hereby increase the South Korean TARIFFS on Automobiles, Lumber, Pharmaceuticals and all other Reciprocal Tariffs from 15% to 25%,” he wrote.
CNBC requested comment from South Korea’s embassy in Washington, DC, on Trump’s announcement.
Reuters reported that South Korea’s presidential Blue House said the U.S. government had not formally informed South Korea of the tariff increase. The news source also reported that South Korea’s presidential advisor will hold a meeting with relevant ministries to discuss measures regarding the increase.
South Korea is one of the largest exporters of goods to the United States.
USA imported $131.6 billion worth of goods from South Korea in 2024 Office of the US Trade Representative.
South Korea-based automobile manufacturer Hyundai Engine It is the largest importer of new vehicles from this country to the United States.
In the trade deal announced in July, Trump said the United States would impose blanket tariffs of 15 percent on imports from South Korea; This was 10 percentage points lower than the level it threatened earlier that month.
Trump also said South Korea had agreed to “give the United States $350 Billion for investments owned and controlled by the United States and elected by me as President.”
In November, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a case challenging the legality of Trump’s unilaterally imposed tariffs, in which the justices expressed doubt that Trump had the authority to impose such duties without Congressional authorization.
The Supreme Court has not yet announced its decision in this case.
