US President Donald Trump, who has criticized the South Korean parliament for not ratifying the trade agreement signed between the two countries, announced on Monday that South Korean products would now be taxed at 25%.

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday, January 26, that tariffs on certain South Korean products will now be 25%, arguing that the local parliament had not ratified the trade agreement signed between the two countries quickly enough.

"Since the Korean parliament has not ratified our historic trade agreement, which is its prerogative, I have decided to raise tariffs on automobiles, lumber, pharmaceuticals, and all other reciprocal tariffs from 15% to 25%," Donald Trump wrote in a message posted on his Truth Social network. "President Lee and I reached a major agreement between our two countries on July 30, and we reaffirmed its terms when I visited South Korea on October 29. Why has the Korean parliament not ratified it?" Trump asked.

Negotiated over several months, the agreement between the two countries was finalized at the end of October 2025 and notably reduced the customs duties applied to South Korean products to a maximum of 15%, including those subject to sectoral customs duties, such as automobiles, which were theoretically subject to higher customs duties.

Crucial agreement for South Korea

These conditions brought the East Asian country closer to those obtained by its Japanese neighbor and the European Union (EU), which were also subject to a maximum limit of 15% surtax on their products exported to the United States.

This agreement is crucial for South Korea and its automotive industry. The American market absorbs half of South Korean car exports, which represent 27% of the country's total exports to the United States.

The shipbuilding sector, in which Washington wants to see its industries regain a foothold, is also a strategic sector for South Korea since the country is the second largest shipbuilder in the world, behind China.

(With AFP)