Trump to put 25 pct tariffs on Japan and South Korea
Trump provided notice of the tariffs to begin on August 1 by posting letters on Truth Social that were addressed to the leaders of both countries.
The letters warned both countries to not retaliate by increasing their own import taxes, or else the Trump administration would increase import taxes that could damage the auto and electronics sectors of Japan and South Korea, two crucial partners for the US in countering China's influence.
"If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 25% that we charge," Trump wrote in the letters to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
The letters, issued on White House stationery, have Trump's typical flourishes and capitalisation."We invite you to participate in the extraordinary Economy of the United States, the Number One Market in the World, by far," he wrote.
He ends both of the letters by saying, "Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Trump has been eager to escalate tariffs on American trading partners after pausing his plans earlier this year.
with AP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Canberra Times
20 minutes ago
- Canberra Times
Trump intensifies trade war with threat of new tariffs
"Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done, is not enough. Mexico still has not stopped the Cartels who are trying to turn all of North America into a Narco-Trafficking Playground," Trump wrote.
AU Financial Review
23 minutes ago
- AU Financial Review
US tariffs against EU, Mexico to begin on August 1
The Mexican government said it was informed during high-level talks with US State Department officials on Friday that a letter on tariffs from Trump was coming. The delegation told Trump officials at the meeting it disagreed with the decision and considered it 'unfair treatment', according to a Mexican government statement. Sheinbaum, who has sought to avoid directly criticising Trump in the early going of her presidency, expressed a measure of confidence during a public appearance on Saturday that the US and Mexico will reach 'better terms'. 'I've always said that in these cases, you need a cool head to face any problem,' Sheinbaum said. With the reciprocal tariffs, Trump is effectively blowing up the rules governing world trade. For decades, the United States and most other countries abided by tariff rates set through a series of complex negotiations known as the Uruguay round. Countries could set their own tariffs, but under the 'most favoured nation' approach, they couldn't charge one country more than they charged another. The Mexico tariff, if it goes into effect, could replace the 25 per cent tariffs on Mexican goods that do not comply with the existing US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement. With Saturday's letters, Trump has now issued tariff conditions on 24 countries and the 27-member European Union. So far, the tally of trade deals struck by Trump stands at two – one with the United Kingdom and one with Vietnam. Trump has also announced the framework for a deal with China, the details of which remain fuzzy.
SBS Australia
24 minutes ago
- SBS Australia
Morning News Bulletin 13 July 2025
TRANSCRIPT Europe reacts to newly-announced tariffs by the United States Families of the Air India crash victims call for justice as a preliminary investigation is handed down Iga Swiatek wins the women's final at Wimbledon, in an astounding show on centre court From August, European and Mexican imports to the United States will be subject to a 30 per cent tariff. The news has come via letters from US President Donald Trump, posted to the Truth social and each addressed to Mexican and EU leaders. European Union president Ursula Von der Leyen has returned her own statement - expressing concern with the move and its impact on global trade. She writes that the EU is open to negotiate in coming weeks, while raising the threat import penalties could be laid on American goods coming into Europe. "We will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required. Meanwhile, we continue to deepen our global partnerships, firmly anchored in the principles of rules-based international trade." ** Pro-Palestine protesters have marched in the wake of a contentious plan to combat antisemitism. Rallies have been held across the country in response to the report by Australia's Special Envoy to combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, which suggests axing support for publicly funded institutions and festivals that promote or fail to effectively deal with hate speech. Criticism of the report largely focuses on Ms Segal's recommendation Australia adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism, some arguing that it will lead to heavy-handed silencing of free speech and a conflation of antisemitism with criticism of Israel and Zionism. Ben Saul – chair of international law at the University of Sydney, and U-N special rapporteur on human rights and counter terrorism – has told SBS News the definition is inappropriate, vague and overbroad. "The real concern lies with some of the examples given under the IHRA definition, which really conflates legitimate criticism of Israel with antisemitism. So I think this approach is counterproductive because when the definition is so divisive, it's not going to be a unifying force to build consensus in the community on what is antisemitism." Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says his country is ready to promote a comprehensive strategic partnership with Australia through a more proactive approach. He says that includes working with Australia to prepare for the next stage of high-level exchanges, and properly managing their differences. Wang has made the remarks during a meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in the Malaysian capital, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Minister Wong says Australia is also committed to developing a positive and pragmatic relationship. The families of the Air India crash victims are calling for justice, as a preliminary investigation into the events reveals confusion in the cockpit shortly before impact. A 15-page report, issued by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau on Saturday, has revealed both pilots questioning a fuel switch setting that was turned off, starving the engines shortly after take-off. The preliminary report does not say how the switch could have flipped to the cut-off position on the June 12 London-bound flight from the Indian city of Ahmedabad. But father of plane crash victim, Naresh Maheswari, says those responsible must be held accountable. "We want the investigation to be neutral and the perpetrators to be punished. We have lost what we were destined to lose, but we want no one else to die due to such carelessness." Iga Swiatek has become the first Polish player to win a Wimbledon singles title, thrashing American Amanda Anisimova in just 57 minutes. It's the first time a Wimbledon final has been won 6-0 6-0 in 114 years, the win earning the Polish 24 year old her sixth grand slam title. Swiatek dropped only two games in her semi-final against Belinda Bencic, and was even more ruthless in the final, clinching victory with a backhand winner. Having never gone beyond the Wimbledon quarter-finals before this year, despite winning four French Open crowns, she says the result has come as a shock. "Honestly, I didn't even dream (of winning Wimbledon) because for me it was just way too far... I feel like I'm already an experienced player after winning the Slams before but I never really expected this one."
