President Donald Trump will impose 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea next month, prolonging the “Liberation Day” duty pause on those two allies amid trade negotiations.
Trump announced the tariffs in letters to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Monday. The personal notes published on social media came before Wednesday’s deadline for other countries to reach trade deals to avoid their own Liberation Day duties.
“We have had years to discuss our Trading Relationship with Japan, and have concluded that we must move away from these longterm, and very persistent, Trade Deficits engendered by Japan’s Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies, and Trade Barriers,” the president wrote, sending an identical letter to South Korea.
Trump added that the trade relationships with Japan and South Korea have been, “unfortunately, far from Reciprocal,” warning them of retaliating against his tariffs and reminding them they can sidestep the duties by investing in the United States.
TRUMP ANNOUNCES 10% TARIFFS FOR BRICS-ALIGNED COUNTRIES AS TRADE DEAL ROLLOUT EXPECTED
“Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge Japan a Tariff of only 25% on any and all Japanese products sent into the United States, separate from all Sectoral Tariffs,” he wrote. “Goods transshipped to evade a higher Tariff will be subject to that higher Tariff.”
Since Liberation Day, Trump has only struck trade deals with the United Kingdom and Vietnam, though agreements are close with the European Union and India.