Washington, July 30, 2025 — Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a new trade agreement with South Korea, which includes a 15% tariff on select South Korean imports. The deal comes as part of broader efforts to renegotiate trade terms with key international partners, aiming to balance American trade interests while avoiding the harsher 25% tariffs that had been under consideration.
The agreement follows intense negotiations in Washington involving South Korea’s top economic officials, including Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo. Accompanied by executives from leading corporations such as Samsung and Hyundai, the delegation worked to secure a reduced tariff rate in exchange for expanded U.S. access to South Korean markets.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reportedly urged South Korea to submit its “best and final offer” to avoid deeper tariff penalties. The resulting deal mirrors recent agreements reached with the European Union and Japan, where reciprocal tariff reductions were offered in return for increased openness to American exports.
The 15% tariff, though significant, is being viewed as a compromise that preserves vital trade relations while allowing the U.S. administration to maintain its tough stance on economic fairness. It is expected to shield American industries from what the Trump team describes as “imbalanced trade dynamics,” while also preventing major disruptions to South Korean exports.
The deal must now undergo final review and implementation planning, with both sides expressing optimism about its benefits for long-term economic cooperation.
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