South Korea Tariff News and Tracker

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. In the latest developments on U.S. tariffs under President Trump, South Korea has secured a major win with a reduced duty rate of 15 percent on Korean autos, retroactive to November 1, as announced in the Federal Register last week by the Trump administration. This stems from the October 29 summit in Gyeongju between President Lee Jae-myung and Trump, where Seoul pledged $350 billion in investments to the U.S. in exchange for these tariff cuts.

South Korea's Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol confirmed a joint committee for the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, your essential update on how U.S. trade policies under President Trump are reshaping ties with Seoul.

South Korea faces a 15% reciprocal tariff rate on its goods to the U.S., lower than initial projections and countries like India at 50% or China at 47.5%, according to Yale University's Budget Lab and Pintu News reports on Trump's Liberation Day tariffs effective since August. This stems from South Korea's 4% share of U.S. imports, placing it alongside Japan at 15%, per BBC data cited in Pintu News. Average U.S. consumer tariff exposure now...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, listeners, where we break down the latest developments on trade barriers impacting Korean exports.

In a major step forward, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol announced today that South Korea and the US will soon launch a joint FTA committee to roll out a hard-won tariff deal. According to Korea JoongAng Daily, this follows late October summit talks between President Lee Jae Myung and President Donald Trump, where Seoul pledged $350 billion in investments to secure tariff relief. The Trump administration last week published a Federal Register notice slashing duties on Korean autos...

Listeners, welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. Today, we focus on the latest developments shaping U.S.-South Korea trade relations amid evolving tariff policies under former President Trump’s renewed trade agenda.

In late 2025, the United States formally adjusted its tariff framework on South Korean goods, an initiative stemming from an executive order signed by Trump earlier this year. The key update reduces Section 232 tariffs on automobiles, auto parts, timber, lumber, and related wood products from South Korea to a uniform 15 percent rate. This change took effect retroactively from early-November 2025. Importantly, for those products already fa...

Listeners, welcome back to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, where we break down how Washington and Seoul’s trade moves are hitting the real economy.

The big headline for South Korea right now is that it sits inside what regional analysts are calling a “low‑tariff corridor” with Japan, carved out under President Donald Trump’s revamped reciprocal tariff framework for Asia. According to Seasia.co’s December analysis of the 2025 tariff realignment in Asia, the United States has built a global baseline tariff and then layered on country‑specific adjustments tied to trade balances, transparency, and market access...

Listeners, welcome to “South Korea Tariff News and Tracker,” where we break down what Washington and Seoul are really doing on trade in the Trump 2.0 era.

The headline today: the U.S.–South Korea tariff landscape has been dramatically reshaped in just a few months, with new reciprocal tariff formulas, a high-profile auto deal, and a broader trade-and-security package that ties tariffs directly to alliance politics.

According to the Trade Compliance Resource Hub’s Trump 2.0 tariff tracker, the United States has implemented a “reciprocal” tariff deal with South Korea that took effect August 7 and was modified November 14...

Listeners, the big story in South Korea tariff news right now is a sweeping reset of U.S.–Korea trade under President Donald Trump, centering on a 15 percent benchmark tariff rate for many Korean goods entering the United States, and reciprocal moves from Seoul that aim to lock in stability after months of uncertainty in autos, aircraft, and lumber trade.

According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the new U.S.–South Korea Strategic Trade and Investment Deal rewrites parts of the U.S. tariff schedule so that many Korean-origin products entering the U.S. now...

Welcome back to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. I'm your host, and we've got some significant developments to cover today that directly impact South Korean exporters and the US-Korea trade relationship.

Just this week, the Trump administration announced a major tariff reduction for South Korea. The tariff rate on imports from South Korea has dropped to fifteen percent, effective retroactively to November first. This represents a substantial decrease from the previous twenty-five percent rate. The reduction applies across a broad range of goods, including automobiles, light trucks, automotive parts, and airplane parts.

Commerce Secretary Howard...

South Korea’s export sector continues to surge, defying the headwinds of steep U.S. tariffs and global trade uncertainty. In November, exports climbed 8.4% year-on-year, marking the sixth consecutive month of record highs and pushing the country’s total exports for the year so far past $640 billion. The semiconductor industry remains the powerhouse, with chip exports jumping nearly 39% in November, driven by robust demand for AI and data center technologies. Automobile exports also rebounded, rising almost 14%, even as some segments face the full impact of U.S. tariffs.

A major development for South Korean exporters came last month, when...

South Korea's economy is navigating treacherous waters as it grapples with the fallout from aggressive U.S. tariff policies. The Trump administration's sweeping trade measures have created significant headwinds for Seoul's export-dependent economy, forcing a reassessment of growth projections and spurring emergency government intervention.

The impact has been substantial. South Korea's real GDP contracted 0.2 percent in the first quarter of 2025, marking the first negative growth in nine months. This downturn prompted major economic institutions including the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of Korea to slash their 2025 growth forecasts to around 0.8 percent, citing weakening consumption and persistent uncertainty...

South Korea has secured a significant trade victory with the United States, dramatically reducing tariffs on its automotive sector and other key industries. Starting November first, South Korean-produced cars and automotive parts now face just fifteen percent tariffs, down from previous levels. This reduction came as part of a broader trade agreement finalized earlier this month between Seoul and Washington.

The deal represents a major diplomatic win for South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who successfully negotiated with the Trump administration following months of tense negotiations. In exchange for these tariff reductions, South Korea committed to a substantial three...

Today, South Korea has officially secured a major breakthrough in its trade relationship with the United States. The ruling Democratic Party introduced a special bill on November 26, 2025, that paves the way for a retroactive reduction of U.S. tariffs on Korean automobiles and auto parts from 25 percent to 15 percent, effective from November 1. This move comes after months of negotiations and follows a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in Gyeongju, where both leaders finalized a deal that also includes a massive investment pledge from South Korea.

According to the Ministry...

South Korea has secured a major trade victory with the United States, finalizing a 15 percent maximum tariff framework that marks a significant shift in bilateral relations. The deal, confirmed on November 14th, replaces the previous 25 percent reciprocal tariffs that had created uncertainty for Korean exporters and American importers alike.

The centerpiece of this agreement involves a historic 350 billion dollar investment commitment from South Korea into the American economy. Of this massive package, 150 billion dollars will flow directly into U.S. shipbuilding, while the remaining 200 billion dollars supports strategic investments across multiple American sectors. This investment-for-tariffs swap represents an...

Listeners, here’s the latest update on US-South Korea tariffs as of November 19, 2025. After months of negotiation, the United States and South Korea have finalized a landmark agreement, putting an end to years of tariff disputes. According to Global Trade Alert, the US Administration issued an executive order this summer reducing reciprocal tariffs for imports from South Korea from 25% to a flat 15%. This rate officially took effect on August 7 and has now become the baseline for US-South Korea tariff policy moving forward. Sectoral tariffs, especially those impacting automobiles, auto parts, timber, lumber, and wood products, have also been reduced to 15%. Th...

Listeners, here is your up-to-the-minute overview on US tariffs and South Korea for "South Korea Tariff News and Tracker".

Breaking news from the latest negotiations: After ten months of tense talks driven by President Trump’s tariff policies, the United States and South Korea have agreed to a sweeping deal finalized on November 14. Effective immediately, US tariffs on South Korean goods have risen from zero to 15 percent across several sectors, including automobiles and pharmaceuticals. These rates are part of a broader US strategy targeting Asian allies, aiming to extract investment while recalibrating trade relationships. Before this accord, Korean au...

Listeners, welcome to this edition of South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, bringing you the latest updates on tariffs, trade, and policy headlines shaping the economic landscape between the United States and South Korea as of November 2025.

The biggest tariff development making headlines this week is the joint announcement by President Lee Jae-myung and U.S. officials confirming the finalized Korea–U.S. Joint Fact Sheet. This landmark agreement brings clarity to several of Korea’s key export sectors, including automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. The headline number for listeners: U.S. tariffs on South Korean automobiles and automotive part...

Today marks a major turning point in U.S.-South Korea trade relations, with both countries finalizing a sweeping agreement that dramatically reshapes tariffs and deepens strategic cooperation. According to the White House and multiple news outlets, the United States will reduce its Section 232 sectoral tariffs on South Korean automobiles, auto parts, timber, lumber, and wood derivatives to 15 percent. This is a significant drop from the previous 25 percent rate, and the same 15 percent cap will apply to pharmaceuticals as well. For semiconductors and chip manufacturing equipment, the U.S. has committed to providing terms that are no less favorable than...

Listeners, welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. The latest headlines and insider details on U.S. tariffs and South Korea have been nothing short of dramatic. As of November 2025, former President Donald Trump has once again made global news by imposing a 25 percent tariff on all exports from South Korea to the United States. The announcement came in a letter to South Korea’s President, stating that the 25 percent rate is still much less than Trump believes is needed to fix what he called the trade deficit disparity between the two nations. However, he did leave the door op...

Listeners, welcome to the latest episode of South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. As of November 7, 2025, the trade relationship between South Korea and the United States remains in the international spotlight, with tariffs and negotiations driving major economic headlines.

In early 2025, the Trump administration sharply raised the average applied US tariff to an unprecedented high—peaking at 27%—before settling at an estimated 17.9% as of September. Specifically for South Korea, President Trump imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff on Korean imports in April, triggering emergency support measures from the South Korean government for its crucial auto sector. South Korea’s top offici...

The landscape of U.S.-South Korea trade relations has shifted in recent days, with a sharp focus on tariffs—a central pillar in the ongoing economic dialogue between Washington and Seoul. Just over a week after their leaders’ summit at the end of October, the anticipated joint announcements—including a Memorandum of Understanding on a $350 billion South Korean investment in the United States and a Joint Fact Sheet covering both trade and security issues—have been unexpectedly delayed. According to insiders at the South Korean presidential office and trade ministry, the holdup centers on Seoul’s demand for ironclad U.S. assur...

Welcome back to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. I'm your host, and today we're breaking down the latest developments in U.S.-South Korea trade relations that are reshaping the economic landscape for Seoul.

Just last week, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump finalized a landmark trade agreement in Gyeongju that caps American tariffs on Korean automobiles and auto parts at 15 percent, down from the initial 25 percent rate. This represents a significant win for Seoul's automotive industry, bringing South Korea's tariff treatment into line with Japan and the European Union.
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Listeners, today’s headline is the landmark settlement of the United States–South Korea tariff negotiations, a breakthrough that is already boosting South Korea’s economic outlook. According to FN News, tariffs on automobile exports to the US, previously less favorable for South Korea compared to the European Union and Japan, have now been equalized. This change is predicted to support a recovery in private consumption and benefit South Korea’s stock market, helping to lift the country’s annual economic growth rate to a projected 1% this year and up to 2% next year. The Bank of Korea reports third-quarter GDP growth at...

Listeners, here are the latest headlines and developments in US-South Korea tariff news. In a major shift for trade relations between the United States and South Korea, President Trump has finalized an agreement that reduces tariffs on South Korean imports from 25 percent to 15 percent. This reduction applies especially to vehicle exports and was negotiated in exchange for a sweeping South Korean commitment to invest $350 billion in the US economy over the coming decade, as reported by the World Socialist Web Site and confirmed by UPI.

According to CarPro and Flexport’s recent updates, the deal includes a $20 billion an...

Welcome to the latest episode of South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. It’s October 29th, 2025, and here are the essential updates you need to know regarding tariffs, trade policy, and the dynamic relationship between South Korea and the United States.

Tensions are mounting again on the tariff front as the U.S. reassesses its global trade partnerships. In recent remarks, former President Donald Trump, now a key figure in the Republican campaign, reiterated his commitment to aggressive tariff policies, specifically calling out countries with large trade surpluses with the U.S. Trump told ABC News last week th...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. Today, the spotlight is on high-stakes negotiations between South Korea and the United States as President Donald Trump’s Asia-Pacific tour nears its peak. Listeners, this is a critical week: South Korea’s $350 billion investment pledge is at an impasse, and the outcome could trigger dramatic tariff consequences. The most pressing headline—according to GuruFocus and multiple international outlets—is that South Korea’s resistance to a $25 billion annual payment demanded by the U.S. could result in the immediate imposition of 25% tariffs on Korean automobiles if no deal is reached by October 29...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, your trusted source for the latest on US-South Korea tariff developments. As of October 26, 2025, the big headline is that the United States and South Korea are on the verge of finalizing a major new trade deal. President Donald Trump, speaking from Air Force One on Friday, told reporters that a trade pact with South Korea is “pretty close to being finalized,” and he’s ready to wrap things up as soon as Seoul provides final commitments. According to Korea JoongAng Daily and the Malay Mail, this deal follows several rounds of intense negoti...

South Korea and the United States have been in tense, high-stakes negotiations over tariffs and investments heading into the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, and today’s headlines capture the intensity. Following weeks of dialogue, the Trump administration has agreed in principle to lower its planned tariffs on South Korean autos from 25 percent to 15 percent, contingent on South Korea’s pledge of a $350 billion investment in U.S. projects according to reporting by The Associated Press. However, as of now, South Korean officials have not finalized a written agreement, signaling that these tariff talks are ongoing and politically sensitive.

Pres...

Today, South Korean officials are rushing back to Washington for urgent tariff negotiations with the US, ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The talks center on a $350 billion investment deal that aims to cap US tariffs on Korean goods at 15%. This deal is crucial for South Korea, especially as it seeks to protect its auto industry from potential tariff impacts.

Progress in these negotiations has accelerated after the US dropped its demand for an upfront equity payment, which South Korea had cautioned could disrupt currency markets. Recent high-level meetings, including an informal discussion with President Donald...

Welcome to a special episode of South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. Today’s update comes as the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, is just days away—a crucial backdrop for the latest developments in U.S.–South Korea trade relations, especially hot after a week of intense, high-level diplomacy.

Listeners, the big headline right now is this: South Korea and the United States are closer than ever to finalizing a sweeping trade and investment package that could meaningfully reset tariffs and trade flows between the two allies. According to multiple reports from the South Korean presidential office...

Listeners, welcome to "South Korea Tariff News and Tracker". Today, October 19, 2025, we're focusing on the ongoing tariff negotiations between South Korea and the U.S.

South Korea is currently engaged in intense tariff negotiations with the U.S., with President Donald Trump having initially proposed a 25% tariff on South Korean exports. This move was part of a broader strategy to address perceived trade deficits with several countries, including Japan and South Korea. Trump emphasized that these tariffs could be adjusted if South Korea opens its markets further to the U.S. and invests in the country[1].

...

Listeners, today on South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, the top story is the breakthrough in U.S.-South Korea tariff negotiations and what this means for trade, technology, and economic stability heading into late 2025.

After months of tension and market volatility, the landmark trade agreement announced in July between President Trump's administration and the South Korean government has slashed tariffs on South Korean imports to the United States from a threatened 25 percent down to 15 percent. This move, as highlighted by Politico and the South China Morning Post, comes alongside Seoul's commitment to a $350 billion investment package, designed...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, your trusted source for the latest on tariffs, trade, and how shifting policies are impacting South Korea.

Today, October 15, 2025, headlines are focusing on the high-stakes negotiations between the United States and South Korea just as President Donald Trump’s administration approaches a final trade deal with Seoul. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the US is nearing conclusion of a landmark agreement that would set a new 15% tariff rate on South Korean goods, notably lower than the originally threatened 25%. This deal requires South Korea to commit to a staggering $350 billion in...

Listeners, welcome to the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker for October 13, 2025. Big news continues to shake the U.S.–South Korea trade relationship as the Trump administration’s historic tariffs dominate headlines and industry concerns.

Back in April, President Trump imposed sweeping 25% reciprocal tariffs on South Korean goods, prompting the South Korean government to roll out emergency support, especially for the auto sector. Trump stated he personally discussed the move with South Korea’s leadership, while South Korea’s finance minister and the U.S. Trade Representative immediately began talks to defuse tensions and negotiate terms. According to Inves...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. Today is Sunday, October 12, 2025, and here’s what listeners need to know about the latest US-South Korea tariff developments, trade negotiations, and the sharp headlines shaping the economic partnership between Seoul and Washington.

South Korea and the United States are locked in a complex round of tariff-related negotiations, with finance and trade ministers from both countries set to meet in Washington this week during the G20 Finance Ministers and IMF annual meetings. The spotlight is on South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, as both si...

South Korea finds itself at the heart of a tense and consequential trade negotiation with the United States this October, as listeners will want to track not only headlines but the true impact of unfolding tariff policy. According to AOL News, the latest formal agreement sets a 15 percent tariff on South Korean imports into the U.S.—up significantly from previous rates, and notably, there is no reciprocal tariff on U.S. goods entering the Korean market.

Negotiations have remained deadlocked throughout the summer and fall, with the Trump administration pressing Seoul to commit $350 billion, largely in cash, as...

Listeners, welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, where today’s headlines highlight the ongoing turmoil created by recent U.S. tariffs and the evolving relationship between Washington and Seoul.

The Trump administration’s tariff policies have hit South Korean exporters hard in 2025. According to Maeil Business Newspaper, as of April and May this year, U.S. tariffs were hiked to 25% on automobiles and parts and up to 50% on steel and aluminum, core export sectors for South Korea. These sharp increases directly cut Korea’s export volumes: August exports to the U.S. dropped 12% year-on-year, with steel and au...

Welcome to the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. Today brings significant developments in the ongoing trade negotiations between Seoul and Washington as South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan returns from crucial talks in New York.

According to multiple Korean media outlets, Kim met with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over the weekend, marking the latest attempt to finalize a stalled trade deal that could dramatically impact Korean businesses. The Korea Times reports that both sides have reached what Kim described as a "considerable level of understanding" regarding South Korea's foreign exchange market concerns.

At the...

Listeners, today's top story is the escalating tariff dispute between the United States and South Korea, a showdown that is quickly reshaping the global trade landscape. As of early October 2025, negotiations are stalled after the Trump administration imposed a 15 percent universal tariff on Korean exports to the U.S., with steep 50 percent rates specifically targeting copper, steel, and aluminum. On top of these tariffs, Washington is demanding hundreds of billions in new Korean investment and purchases of American liquefied natural gas, pushing Seoul into an economic corner, according to recent coverage from The Korea Times.

At the same...

Welcome to "South Korea Tariff News and Tracker." Today, we're focusing on the current state of tariff negotiations between South Korea and the United States. The talks have been complicated by the U.S. demand for a $350 billion investment from South Korea, which has stalled progress on trade agreements. South Korea is looking to categorize this investment into loans, guarantees, and investments, rather than a direct cash investment. Additionally, the Korean government is seeking currency swap-like safety measures to ensure exchange rate stability, which they believe are essential conditions for accepting the U.S. demands.

Despite these challenges...

Listeners, today’s update brings sharp focus on tariffs and U.S.-South Korea trade, with big headlines and real economic consequences for South Korea under President Trump’s policies.

On July 30, 2025, President Trump announced a finalized trade agreement with South Korea, imposing a 15% tariff on most Korean goods entering the U.S. effective August 1. This rate was previously set at 25% in early April, but was reduced after negotiations. Notably, however, certain sectors have been hit harder—automobiles and parts still face a 25% tariff, while steel, aluminum, and derivative products are taxed at a steep 50%. The trade pact also s...

Listeners, in today’s South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, the headlines are dominated by high-stakes negotiations between Seoul and Washington over a new trade deal impacting tariffs on South Korean goods. The Trump administration is demanding that South Korea make a $350 billion upfront investment in the United States in exchange for reducing tariffs on South Korean products from 25% down to 15%. According to statements by South Korean National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, Seoul maintains that paying such a large sum in cash is not possible and could push Korea’s economy toward a financial crisis—a position echoed widely in South...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, your key source for the latest updates on tariffs, trade, and U.S.–South Korea economic relations. It’s September 28, 2025, and today we’re diving into the ongoing turbulence between Washington and Seoul over tariffs and investment deals under the Trump administration.

The headline story continues to be the deadlock over the massive $350 billion U.S. investment package tied to the U.S. lowering tariffs on South Korean goods. This agreement, formed in a July handshake between President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, dropped tariffs from 25 percen...

Listeners, welcome to the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker for Friday, September 26, 2025.

The big news dominating the headlines this week is the major standoff between South Korea and the United States over tariffs and a proposed investment agreement. President Donald Trump has publicly demanded that South Korea match Japan’s commitment by pledging an enormous $350 billion up front for U.S. investment projects. The Wall Street Journal and other outlets confirm that Washington wants this funding to be provided largely in cash, aiming for parity with Tokyo’s $550 billion “blank check” deal concluded back in July. Tokyo’s deal not...

Listeners, today's episode of the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker brings you a crucial update on US-South Korea trade relations as of September 24, 2025. Tensions and negotiations between Seoul and Washington remain front and center, with both nations working to resolve a months-long deadlock over tariffs and investment. The latest round of talks is aiming to produce a final deal before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju at the end of October.

Government officials report that Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol is meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in New York to...

Listeners, today’s headline: South Korea is experiencing a dramatic surge in tariffs on its exports to the United States, reaching levels not seen since before the countries’ free trade agreement. According to a report from the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry, South Korea’s tariff payments to the US in the second quarter of 2025 soared to $3.3 billion, making it the sixth-highest among US trading partners. This represents a 47-fold jump compared to the end of last year, just before the return of President Donald Trump’s administration, and marks the steepest increase among Washington’s major trade partners, far surpassing...

Today, Friday September 19, 2025, we bring you the latest on U.S.–South Korea tariff news for the “South Korea Tariff News and Tracker” podcast.

Tariff negotiations between South Korea and the United States are still in deadlock, putting Korean exporters in a tough spot as talks drag on. After Korea’s chief negotiator Yeo Han-koo’s recent trip to Washington, talks remain unresolved over how Korea will fulfill its $350 billion investment pledge tied to reduced tariffs. While Korea and the U.S. struck a deal in late July to lower mutual tariffs and auto tariffs from 25 percent to 15 percent, t...

Listeners, today’s South Korea Tariff News and Tracker brings you a pivotal update on the ongoing tariff negotiations between South Korea and the United States. Just weeks ago, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would be reducing its “reciprocal tariff” rate on South Korean goods from 25% down to 15%. In exchange, South Korea has pledged a massive $350 billion investment into the US economy, with a particular emphasis on supporting the American shipbuilding industry and purchasing $100 billion in US energy. South Korea has also agreed to provide technology and manpower to further bolster US industrial sectors.

Negotiations, howeve...

Listeners, here’s your South Korea Tariff News and Tracker update for Monday, September 15, 2025. Negotiations between South Korea and the United States over tariffs and investment remain in gridlock, centering on a proposed $350 billion Korean investment fund for U.S. industry. The Trump administration, under its “reciprocal tariff” framework, has offered to reduce tariffs on most South Korean exports, notably cars, from the current 25 percent to 15 percent—matching the recent arrangement struck with Japan. In return, Washington is pressing Seoul to commit the full $350 billion as direct investment, with the United States reserving the right to select projects and ultimately receive...

Listeners, the standoff in tariff negotiations between the United States and South Korea has reached a critical juncture. As of September 12, 2025, both sides remain at an impasse despite the broad trade framework agreed to in late July. The Trump administration is firmly demanding that South Korea either commit to a massive $350 billion investment in the U.S.—a sum equivalent to about 84 percent of Korea’s foreign reserves—or face a return to existing reciprocal tariffs of 25 percent, up from the currently reduced 15 percent. According to the Korea Times, Washington's stance was made clear by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who declar...

Listeners, welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. Today, September 10, 2025, we’re bringing the latest headlines and analysis on tariffs affecting South Korea and the United States, with a special look at the Trump administration’s evolving trade policy.

A major story dominating the headlines is the ongoing standoff between the U.S. and South Korea over a $350 billion investment fund, which is a linchpin in the trade deal the two countries announced back in late July. According to the Korea Economic Daily and other sources, the agreement was supposed to deliver significant tariff relief for South Kore...

Listeners, the current landscape for South Korea-U.S. trade is shifting fast, and we’re tracking every development in tariffs, policy, and major headlines. President Trump’s administration made waves this spring with a reciprocal 25% tariff on South Korean goods, prompting South Korea’s government to launch emergency support for industries hardest hit, especially automotive. Negotiations began, but talks stalled through June, leading to a pivotal announcement at the end of July when Trump confirmed that most imports from South Korea to the U.S. would face a revised 15% tariff, effective August 1. This came as part of an agreement where South...

Listeners, here’s your focused update for “South Korea Tariff News and Tracker” as of September 7, 2025.

The US-South Korea tariff landscape has radically changed through a string of recent executive orders and trade negotiations under President Donald Trump. The headline figure: as of August 1, the US government implemented a 15% tariff on most goods imported from South Korea. This comes directly from an agreement reached after weeks of talks, with US officials stating that the deal also included substantial American investment commitments in return, though many details remain under negotiation according to industry sources and the Ministry of Trade in Seo...

Listeners, South Korea is at the center of major tariff developments and international headlines today. Under President Donald Trump’s administration, reciprocal tariffs on South Korean goods rose to 25% in April 2025, marking a dramatic escalation in trade tensions. The South Korean government quickly responded with emergency measures to support its auto industry, while top officials advocated for negotiation over retaliation. Trump personally confirmed ongoing talks and highlighted South Korea’s significant investment in the United States during a series of phone calls and meetings with South Korea’s leadership.

By May 2025, technical negotiations between South Korean trade officials and U...

Listeners, here is your September 2025 update for South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, focused on the latest tariff headlines and trade developments between South Korea and the United States as the Trump administration’s hardline trade stance continues to reverberate through global markets.

Since April, the United States imposed a reciprocal tariff of 25% on South Korean goods, sparking emergency steps in Seoul to support its auto and manufacturing sectors. After months of negotiation and intensive diplomatic efforts, including President Lee Jae-myung’s visit to Washington, a breakthrough was reached. As of August 1, the agreed tariff rate on most Sout...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. Today is September 1, 2025, and listeners, there has never been a more critical moment to track tariffs and U.S.–South Korea trade headlines.

This summer’s top story: the U.S. under President Donald Trump imposed a 15 percent tariff on most Korean goods, down from the previously threatened 25 percent. This came after weeks of tense negotiations where Seoul agreed to pledge 350 billion dollars in U.S. investment. While this compromise warded off a full-blown trade war, the fallout is real. According to the Bank of Korea, even with this compromise tari...

Listeners, welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. In today’s update, major headlines focus on the tense tariff landscape between the United States and South Korea, especially amid ongoing policies from President Donald Trump’s administration.

The most current, impactful headline is that as of August 2025, the U.S. has finalized a new trade agreement with South Korea that maintains a 15 percent tariff on South Korean imports. This rate is a notable increase compared to previous years and was established following months of negotiations after President Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs of 25 percent in April. The latest deal...

Listeners, here’s your up-to-the-minute download on the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker.

As of August 2025, US trade policies under President Trump have dramatically changed the tariff landscape. After months of negotiation and shifting headlines, the current tariff rate on South Korean goods imported into the US sits at 15 percent, having recently been reduced from a high of 25 percent following a framework trade agreement reached between the two nations on July 30. According to Brookings, South Korea in turn pledged a staggering $350 billion in investment over the coming years, with industry giants like Samsung and Hyundai leading new de...

Listeners, here’s your latest update on the evolving tariff landscape between the United States and South Korea as of August 27, 2025. The White House confirmed this week that the United States is maintaining a 15 percent tariff on South Korean goods, continuing the trade framework that emerged from intensive negotiations over the past several months. This tariff is a reduction from the 25 percent “reciprocal tariff” initially imposed by President Trump back in April, which deeply affected Korean exports, especially in the auto sector. According to The Riot Times and multiple government statements, the adjustment reflects an agreement reached last month to ease t...

Listeners, it’s Monday, August 25th, 2025, and this is your latest update from South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. In one of the most closely watched international trade stories of the year, President Donald Trump is hosting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Washington today for talks that are expected to finalize the terms of a sweeping trade and investment agreement. This follows last month’s framework deal, where South Korea pledged $350 billion in U.S.-focused investment across shipbuilding, semiconductors, and energy, in part to secure a reduction in U.S. tariffs on Korean exports.

The numb...

Listeners, here’s the latest on South Korea, US tariffs, and the Trump administration as of August 24, 2025.

South Korea remains squarely in the crosshairs of Washington’s shifting tariff policies. As of August 7, the United States imposed a 15 percent tariff on most South Korean imports, easing down from the originally threatened 25 percent rate. This falls in line with the rates applied to Japan and the European Union and came after months of intense negotiations and diplomatic wrangling. In exchange, South Korea committed to ramp up investment in the US—totaling a massive $350 billion, as outlined in the July 30 agreem...

Listeners, welcome to today’s edition of the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker podcast. As of August 22, 2025, the landscape of tariffs and trade relations between the United States and South Korea is undergoing remarkable transformation, marked by recent announcements and high-profile meetings involving President Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

The big headline: the United States has set a new **15 percent tariff rate on South Korean imports**. This follows through on a July deal that reduced the proposed tariff from the initial 25 percent to this more moderate rate. Industry analysts point out that this 15 percent ta...

Listeners, welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. Big news today: The United States and South Korea have struck a major trade deal that will reshape tariffs and supply chains between the two countries. According to GetTransport.com and analysts at AInvest, the new agreement imposes a 15 percent tariff on all South Korean goods entering the U.S., while U.S.-made products will have tariff-free access into South Korea.

President Donald Trump celebrated the deal on Truth Social, calling it a “Full and Complete Trade Deal” with South Korea. Trump emphasized that this pact means U.S. c...

Listeners, this is your latest edition of the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, bringing you the most important updates on the US-South Korea trade relationship and tariff developments as of August 15, 2025.

The top headline is a major shift in trade policy between the United States and South Korea. President Donald Trump announced that a new trade deal has been reached with South Korea, setting a 15% tariff rate on South Korean imports into the US. This comes right before a broader tariff deadline and represents a significant reduction from a previously threatened 25% rate on key South Korean exports...

Listeners, here’s your South Korea Tariff News and Tracker for Wednesday, August 13, 2025.

Major developments are shaping the economic landscape between South Korea and the United States this summer. The most significant headline is that the U.S. and South Korea have locked in a new tariff framework: a flat 15% import tariff on all South Korean goods entering the American market, impacting everything from automobiles and semiconductors to consumer electronics and industrial machinery. This deal, announced by President Donald Trump on July 30, lowers the proposed tariff from an initially threatened 25%. For listeners, that means a reprieve for Korean ca...

Listeners, here’s your South Korea Tariff News and Tracker update for Monday, August 11, 2025.

The headline today: the United States and South Korea have a provisional deal that puts a 15 percent tariff on Korean imports into the U.S., after President Trump initially threatened 25 percent. According to The Korea Times, the July 30 announcement mirrors arrangements with Japan and the EU: a 15 percent tariff paired with Korean investment commitments in the U.S., while U.S. products entering Korea remain tariff-free for now. The Korea Times adds that Korean car exports to the U.S. will face that 15 percent ra...

Listeners, this is the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker for August 10, 2025.

In a headline-making move this past week, President Trump has finalized a new trade deal with South Korea just ahead of his August first tariff implementation deadline. South Korean imports into the United States will now face a 15 percent tariff, significantly lower than the 25 percent Trump initially threatened. In exchange, the United States will not pay a corresponding tariff on American goods shipped to South Korea, opening the possibility for smoother bilateral trade according to a report from Nexstar Media.

This 15 percent rate is...

Listeners, today’s top story on South Korea Tariff News and Tracker is the major shift in US trade policy under President Donald Trump, which has introduced a new era of tariffs and dramatic negotiation tactics directly impacting South Korean exports and economic strategy.

As of August 7, 2025, the United States now imposes a 15% tariff on most South Korean imports. This new rate was announced on July 30 by President Trump, who originally threatened a much steeper 25% tariff. Asia Times notes that this adjustment came after fraught negotiations, with South Korea agreeing to invest $350 billion into US-based projects. These include $200 bi...

Listeners, here’s the latest on US–South Korea tariff news as of August 6, 2025, with major developments in Washington and Seoul impacting trade, automotive, energy, and investment flows.

South Korea has avoided the looming threat of a 25 percent US tariff on its exports by sealing an eleventh-hour deal with the Trump administration last week, as covered by Asia News Network. Instead, Korean products—including cars, auto parts, and a host of industrial goods—will now be subject to a 15 percent US tariff, effective from August 7. While this new rate is higher than what was previously in place, it spares S...

Listeners, here’s the latest headline for August 4th, 2025, on South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. The United States and South Korea have finalized a trade agreement that sets a 15% tariff on all Korean goods imported to the U.S., significantly lowering the threat of a previously announced 25% rate. According to Hellenic Shipping News and MSCI, this compromise came as the result of high-stakes negotiations between President Donald Trump and President Lee Jae-myung, with tariff rates for Korean cars and semiconductors confirmed at 15%. However, Korean steel and aluminum face a much steeper 50% rate, matching the new global standard imposed by th...

Listeners, today’s top story is the much-anticipated tariff agreement between the United States and South Korea, an issue that’s dominated headlines this August. After months of intense negotiations, South Korea and the Trump administration have agreed to a 15% tariff rate on all Korean imports into the U.S.—a significant reduction from the 25% rate initially threatened earlier this year. According to coverage by The Korea Times, this matches identical tariffs recently agreed upon for EU and Japanese goods, putting Korea on an equal competitive footing with these other major trading partners.

The negotiations were described by Korean...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. Today is August 1, 2025, and we have major updates at the intersection of trade, tariffs, and U.S.-South Korea relations under the Trump administration.

A landmark deal has just been reached: President Donald Trump announced that the United States and South Korea have finalized a “full and complete trade deal.” This agreement imposes a 15 percent tariff on all South Korean imports into the U.S., effective August 7. Importantly, U.S. exports to South Korea will remain tariff-free. Trump’s statement, posted on Truth Social, emphasized that South Korea will be making...

Listeners, the drama over U.S. tariffs on South Korean exports is hitting a critical point as negotiators from Seoul scramble to cut a deal in Washington just before President Donald Trump’s deadline for sweeping new trade penalties. At stake is a proposed 25 percent “reciprocal” tariff that would affect South Korea’s major exports—cars, steel, semiconductors, and even the booming K-beauty industry. If both sides fail to reach an agreement by Friday, August 1, the U.S. is set to impose these tariffs immediately, threatening billions in trade and investment.

Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo...

Welcome to the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker podcast. The top story today is the intense, last-minute negotiations between Seoul and Washington as South Korea races to avoid sweeping new U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump’s latest trade regime.

Listeners may recall that President Trump declared April 2, 2025 “Liberation Day,” unveiling broad-based import duties with Executive Order 14257. These “Liberation Day tariffs” imposed a 10% baseline tariff on nearly all countries, with higher rates for nations running large goods trade surpluses with the U.S. South Korea’s trade surplus with America put it squarely in the crosshairs for a steepe...

Listeners, welcome to the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, bringing you up to date on all things tariffs, trade, and the latest negotiation maneuvers surrounding South Korea and the United States, with a particular focus on the headlines tied to former President Donald Trump.

As of today, South Korea is in a race against time, facing the threat of sweeping 25 percent tariffs on exports to the United States. According to the Korea Herald and reporting from the Chosun Ilbo, U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has set a hard deadline of August 1, demanding either a new tr...

Breaking news for listeners of the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker podcast: With just days left before the August 1 deadline set by the Trump administration, South Korean officials are racing against the clock to avert steep new U.S. tariffs that threaten the country’s export-driven economy. President Trump has announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from South Korea—covering critical sectors like automobiles and steel—unless Seoul and Washington reach a trade agreement before the deadline.

According to Seoul’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, South Korea’s top trade representatives met this week in Washington...

Listeners, welcome to today’s episode of South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. It’s Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025, and we’re less than ten days away from a potentially seismic shift in global trade.

The headlines are dominated by President Donald Trump’s latest tariff policy, which targets South Korean exports to the U.S. with sweeping new 25% import duties, set to take effect August 1st unless a last-minute agreement is reached. According to the Korea Economic Daily, the White House has delivered a formal letter to South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung, and the two countries have resumed ur...

Welcome to the latest edition of the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker.

Listeners, as of July 21, 2025, high-stakes negotiations are in full swing between South Korea and the United States, with a stark August 1 deadline looming for the imposition of sweeping new U.S. tariffs on Korean exports. The Trump administration has confirmed that a 25 percent tariff rate will take effect for South Korea starting next month unless a deal is reached, a drastic measure impacting roughly $140 billion in goods. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick stated on CBS that this 25 percent rate applies to major economies...

Listeners, welcome to your latest update from the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker podcast.

The big headline today is the mounting pressure as the United States under President Donald Trump has set an August 1 deadline to impose 25 percent tariffs on all South Korean imports unless a deal is struck. This followed official letters sent by Trump to both South Korea and Japan, making clear that the tariffs would take effect unless what the Trump administration calls unfair trade practices and non-tariff barriers are dismantled. This marks the highest tension in Korea-US trade talks since the Trump administration...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, your essential update for everything listeners need to know about the evolving tariff landscape between the United States and South Korea.

With just two weeks until sweeping new U.S. tariffs are set to take effect, tensions are running high. U.S. President Donald Trump has sent a formal letter to President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea stating that, starting August 1, all Korean exports to the U.S. will face a 25 percent tariff. Trump further warned that if South Korea retaliates with increased tariffs on U.S. goods, the...

Welcome to the latest episode of South Korea Tariff News and Tracker.

South Korea stands at the center of high-stakes negotiations with the United States as the clock ticks toward the August 1 tariff deadline set by President Donald Trump. Under the Trump administration’s sweeping tariff overhaul, a new reciprocal tariff rate of 25% on South Korean exports to the US is on the table, a significant hike that has sent ripples through Seoul’s political and business circles. Dimerco, a leading logistics firm, confirms these rates will take effect August 1. Unlike previous “sectoral tariffs” that targeted products like steel an...

Listeners, welcome to the latest episode of the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker podcast. Tensions are mounting as South Korea races to stave off substantial new U.S. tariffs following President Donald Trump’s announcement that a 25 percent tariff will be imposed on all Korean exports to the U.S. starting August 1, unless a new trade agreement is reached. This tariff threat comes alongside additional sectoral tariffs, including a possible 50 percent tariff on South Korean steel under Section 232, which targets global steel overcapacity. According to Recycling Today, Trump’s letter to the South Korean president made the 25 percent tariff expl...

Listeners, welcome to the latest update from the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. As of July 13, 2025, the landscape for South Korean exporters to the United States remains tense and uncertain. President Donald Trump’s trade agenda continues to spark headlines and heated negotiations across the globe, and South Korea finds itself at the center of this tariff storm.

The current headline news is that South Korean exports to the United States will face a 25 percent tariff starting August 1. This rate was first announced back in April and has now been confirmed to go into effect next month. Ac...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, your source for the latest on trade tensions, tariff rates, and their implications for South Korea and its trading partners. As of today, July 11, 2025, tariff and trade news between the United States and South Korea has taken center stage due to significant developments from the Trump administration.

President Trump has announced that unless a new bilateral trade agreement is secured, **South Korean exports to the United States will face a 25 percent tariff rate starting August 1**. This extension follows an earlier delay, and according to both President Trump and Treasury Secretary...

Listeners, the spotlight today is on the sweeping changes in U.S. trade policy that have put South Korea in the crosshairs of a dramatic tariff escalation. President Donald Trump has announced the United States will impose a **25% tariff on all goods imported from South Korea**, with the new rate set to take effect on August 1, 2025. This announcement was delivered in a formal letter to President Lee Jae-myung and posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform, sharply escalating protectionist trade moves and adding significant tension to U.S.-Korea economic relations. According to CBS News, Trump’s letters to South Kore...

Listeners, the biggest story today is President Donald Trump’s announcement of new 25% tariffs on all imports from South Korea, set to take effect on August 1, 2025. According to CBS News, Trump sent formal notification to South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and has made it clear that “all money will be due and payable starting Aug. 1, 2025 — No extensions will be granted.” This marks the end of a 90-day freeze on tariffs that began in April. The move is part of a broader tariff rollout hitting over a dozen countries, with the White House signaling more announcements are on the way.

The...

Welcome to another edition of the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker podcast. Today, July 7, 2025, we dive into the latest updates on tariffs, the evolving US-South Korea trade relationship, and how recent moves by the Trump administration are shaping economic reality for both countries.

This spring, there was a seismic shift in the trade landscape. On April 9, the Trump administration introduced a 25% tariff on all South Korean exports to the United States, surpassing even the rates levied on other major partners like Japan and the European Union. According to analysis by Source of Asia, this was the steepest...

Listeners, welcome back to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. The US-South Korea trade relationship has seen significant upheaval in 2025, with major headlines dominating the business and political landscape. This year, President Donald Trump introduced a sweeping 25% tariff on many South Korean exports to the United States starting April 9. According to Source of Asia, this is the highest rate Washington has ever applied to a US free trade agreement partner, even outpacing the new tariffs on Japan and the European Union. The move has sent shockwaves through South Korea’s key export sectors, including automotive, semiconductors, steel, consumer electronics, and pe...

Listeners, welcome to another episode of South Korea Tariff News and Tracker.

Today, the U.S.-South Korea trade relationship stands at a critical crossroads as a wave of new tariffs from the Trump administration reshapes the landscape. Back in April 2025, President Trump invoked emergency powers to impose a sweeping 10% tariff on all imports into the U.S. according to the White House, a move justified by concerns over persistent trade deficits and the need to bolster American manufacturing. But for key trading partners like South Korea, the measures went further. CBS News and industry trackers report that...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, your source for the latest headlines on U.S. tariffs and their impact on South Korea’s economy.

Listeners, if you’re tracking the ongoing trade tensions, 2025 has been a year of seismic shifts. In April, the Trump administration shocked the market by slapping a 25% tariff on South Korean exports. According to Source of Asia, this is now the highest rate ever imposed on a U.S. free trade agreement partner, outpacing the tariffs on Japan and the European Union. The impact is deep, reaching into South Korea’s core export...

Listeners, welcome back to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. As of June 30, 2025, the tariff landscape between the United States and South Korea has been anything but predictable, sending shockwaves through export industries and policymakers alike.

This spring, the Trump administration announced a sharp change in trade policy, establishing a flat 10 percent "baseline" tariff on all imports to the United States, including those from South Korea. This policy, effective since April 10, replaced the initial plan for a country-specific reciprocal tariff rate. For South Korea, this means a 10 percent tariff applies broadly on most exports to the U.S...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker.

Big changes are hitting the US-South Korea trade relationship in 2025, and today’s update will help listeners stay on top of the latest headlines, rates, and political moves shaping the landscape. This month marks a historic shift: since April 9, the United States has imposed a 25 percent tariff on all South Korean imports. The new rate follows a brief confusion in early April, when the White House listed a 26 percent tariff for South Korea before revising it to 25 percent after urgent outreach by South Korean officials, a move that mattered enormously gi...

Welcome back listeners to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. Here’s the latest on US tariffs affecting South Korea as of today, June 27, 2025.

US trade policy toward South Korea has entered a dramatic new phase under President Donald Trump’s renewed approach to tariffs. As of April 2025, South Korean exports to the US have been hit by a blanket 25% reciprocal tariff—the highest rate ever imposed on a US free trade agreement partner according to Source of Asia. This is a major shift from the duty-free or minimal tariffs South Korean businesses enjoyed for almost two decades under...

Listeners, welcome to the latest episode of "South Korea Tariff News and Tracker." As of June 25, 2025, the US-South Korea trade landscape is in the midst of remarkable changes, following a series of tariffs and policy shifts announced by former President Donald Trump. Here’s what you need to know today.

Just this spring, the US shook international trade by slapping a 25 percent tariff on South Korean exports. According to Source of Asia, this is the steepest tariff the US has ever placed on a partner with a Free Trade Agreement—even higher than current rates for Japan and the...

Listeners, welcome to "South Korea Tariff News and Tracker," your go-to podcast for the latest headlines and developments shaping U.S.-South Korea trade relations.

Big news this summer: President Trump’s administration has imposed a sweeping 25 percent tariff on all imports from South Korea, making this the highest tariff rate ever applied to any U.S. Free Trade Agreement partner. This 25 percent rate was confirmed after back-and-forth negotiations, as Yonhap News details, with the South Korean government pushing for a revision from the initial 26 percent rate. The change, though just a single percentage point, is hugely significant gi...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, your source for the latest updates shaping the economic landscape between Seoul and Washington. Listeners, major developments have rocked the U.S.-South Korea trade relationship in 2025, with enormous implications for exporters, automakers, and key industries.

According to Yonhap News, President Donald Trump’s administration revised South Korea’s reciprocal tariff rate to 25 percent as of April, down from 26 percent after quick intervention by South Korean officials. This 25 percent tariff—now official policy—applies broadly to South Korean exports entering the U.S. and stands as the highest rate among America’...

Welcome to the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker podcast. Today is June 20, 2025, and the trade relationship between South Korea and the United States is making major headlines due to significant tariff developments under President Trump’s administration.

Listeners, 2025 has brought some of the most dramatic changes to U.S.-Korea trade policy in years. Beginning April 9, the United States introduced a 25 percent tariff on South Korean exports. This is now the highest tariff rate imposed on any U.S. free trade agreement partner, even higher than the new rates on the European Union and Japan. According to Yo...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, your go-to source for the latest developments on US trade policy, tariffs, and their impact on South Korea.

Listeners, today’s top story is the ongoing tariff drama between the United States and South Korea, a saga that has taken center stage in 2025. In April, President Trump’s administration announced a 25% reciprocal tariff on South Korean exports, upending a relationship that had, until now, thrived under the 2007 Free Trade Agreement. The new tariff marks the highest rate the US has applied to any of its FTA partners, even overtaking tariffs impo...

Welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. Today’s focus: the latest headline developments in U.S.-South Korea trade, tariff rates, and the reverberations through South Korean industry as the Trump administration’s new measures take hold.

South Korea and the United States, once champion partners of free trade under their 2007 FTA, are now navigating what Source of Asia calls a “major shake-up.” On April 9th, President Trump’s administration imposed an unprecedented 25 percent tariff on South Korean exports. This new rate stands out—it’s now the highest the U.S. has ever levied on a fellow FTA p...

Listeners, welcome to the latest episode of South Korea Tariff News and Tracker, your source for the most up-to-date coverage and analysis on tariffs impacting South Korea and its pivotal trade relationship with the United States.

As of late May 2025, the trade environment between South Korea and the U.S. is at a critical juncture. Earlier this spring, the Trump administration imposed a 25 percent reciprocal tariff on South Korean exports—a move that sent shockwaves through the industries that have long benefited from the two countries’ free trade agreement. This new rate replaces the briefly considered 26 percent level, afte...

Listeners, welcome to South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. Today’s date is May 25, 2025, and South Korea’s trade relationship with the United States is facing its sharpest challenge in years. This spring, the U.S. imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff on South Korean exports—the highest ever leveled against a U.S. FTA partner, surpassing even recent hikes for Japan and the European Union. This move, announced by President Donald Trump’s administration in early April, replaced an initial plan for a 26% rate, which was quickly revised after urgent diplomatic outreach from Seoul, according to Yonhap News Agency.

These ta...