The US will reinstate higher tariffs on key Korean imports after Seoul’s legislature failed to approve a previously agreed trade deal, reversing tariff reductions introduced in 2025.
US President Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post on 27 January 2026 that tariffs on Korean autos, lumber, pharmaceuticals, and other goods subject to reciprocal measures will increase from 15% to 25%.
The higher rate reverses the reduction agreed under the tentative US-Korea (Rep.) trade deal reached in July 2025 and finalised in October 2025, which had lowered tariffs to 15%.
“Our Trade Deals are very important to America. In each of these Deals, we have acted swiftly to reduce our TARIFFS in line with the Transaction agreed to. We, of course, expect our Trading Partners to do the same. South Korea’s Legislature is not living up to its Deal with the United States. President Lee and I reached a Great Deal for both Countries on July 30, 2025, and we reaffirmed these terms while I was in Korea on October 29, 2025. Why hasn’t the Korean Legislature approved it? Because the Korean Legislature hasn’t enacted our Historic Trade Agreement, which is their prerogative, I am hereby increasing South Korean TARIFFS on Autos, Lumber, Pharma, and all other Reciprocal TARIFFS from 15% to 25%. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”, Trump wrote on Truth Social.
South Korean officials are reportedly seeking to manage the situation cautiously, aiming to preserve their trade ties with the US while safeguarding their economic and security interests.
Korea (Rep.) presidential office also reaffirmed its commitment to finalising the agreement, with senior officials convening emergency talks and plans underway for high-level visits to Washington to engage US trade and commerce officials.
Earlier, Trump threatened to raise tariffs on Korean imports in response to Korea (Rep.)’s delay in passing the deal through its parliament.
