President Donald Trump on Monday announced a bold new escalation in his administration’s trade strategy, unveiling 25% tariffs on imports from Japan and South Korea in a move aimed at reshoring U.S. manufacturing and countering unfair trade balances.
The new measures, set to take effect August 1, were detailed in formal letters posted by Trump on his Truth Social account.
The tariffs are part of a broader push by the Trump administration to end what the president calls decades of trade abuse by foreign competitors.
“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 bluntly, making it clear that retaliation from U.S. allies will be met with an immediate response.
In his letters to Japanese and South Korean leaders, President Trump emphasized that the tariffs are below the level required to fully offset America’s longstanding trade deficits with those countries.
However, he offered an off-ramp: companies from either nation that move production to U.S. soil will be exempt from the tariffs, with Trump pledging fast-track approvals to relocate manufacturing to the United States “in a matter of weeks.”
The tariff rate for Japan comes in slightly higher than the 24% initially floated during Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” event, while South Korea’s rate remains unchanged.
Trump also took aim at the growing BRICS bloc, an alliance that now includes Russia, China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
He announced an additional 10% tariff on any country that aligns itself with the group’s “anti-American” policies.
“Any country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an additional 10% tariff,” Trump declared on Truth Social.
“There will be no exceptions to this policy.”
The move comes just days after BRICS leaders accused the United States of violating World Trade Organization rules with tariffs they claim distort the global economy.
Trump’s answer was swift and unapologetic.
The White House also confirmed that Russia, while not included in the original April tariff wave, is now being hit with increased economic pressure following its largest missile and drone assault on Ukraine since the war began.
On Friday, Russia launched a barrage of 530 drones and a dozen missiles on Kyiv, killing at least two people.
In response, Trump’s administration added new tariffs on several nations aligned with Russia, including Kazakhstan, one of Moscow’s top trading partners.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt doubled down during a press briefing, warning that the BRICS alliance is “actively working to undermine the interests of the United States” and promising that President Trump would take “any action necessary” to prevent America from being exploited.
President Trump has not backed down from diplomacy, despite his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to aides, a recent phone call between the two leaders left Trump “disappointed,” as hopes for a ceasefire in Ukraine remain elusive.
Still, the president remains engaged in backchannel talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who reportedly briefed Trump on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Kyiv.
Trump has previously suggested a peace deal is “pretty close,” but in the meantime, his administration is wielding economic tools to apply maximum pressure, not just on enemies, but on allies who refuse to meet America halfway.
With the latest round of tariffs, President Trump is doubling down on America First trade policy, signaling to both allies and adversaries that U.S. economic sovereignty is non-negotiable.
The message is clear: produce in America, or pay the price.
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