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 tariff imposed on any nation with a free trade agreement with the US. The automotive, semiconductor, and steel industries have been hit hardest, with household names like Hyundai and Kia facing threats of tariffs as high as 200% on some vehicle imports.
Shortly after these announcements, the White House issued another proclamation, temporarily reducing the blanket tariff rate to 10% for all countries, including South Korea, effective April 10. This 90-day pause, as outlined by the White House and confirmed by multiple trade trackers, kept the pressure high but spread the impact more evenly across global partners while the administration reviewed trade deficits and reciprocity issues. However, the 25% rate is scheduled for possible reimposition after July 8, intensifying uncertainty for Korean exporters and global supply chains.
This round of tariffs comes amid heightened rhetoric from President Trump, who argues that large US trade deficits are driven by a lack of reciprocity in existing trade relationships. The administration’s executive order declared a national emergency to address what it views as threats to the US manufacturing base and national security. Reciprocal tariffs, sector-specific levies on steel, autos, and semiconductors, and broader measures targeting supply chains have all roiled Korean industries, which depend heavily on the American market.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who assumed office in June, is confronting what he called a "tangled web of overlapping crises." President Lee faces the challenge of countering Washington’s economic pressure while protecting South Korea’s priorities of economic growth and military alliance stability. The stakes are high, with May data already showing an 8.1% year-on-year decline in Korean exports to the US—a direct reflection of the new trade barriers. Major conglomerates including Samsung, LG, and SK have warned employees of increased risks when conducting business in the US, and the business climate is increasingly fraught.
Economic analysts at the Korea Development Institute recently cut their forecast for South Korea’s 2025 growth to under 1%, underlining the significant economic headwinds brought on by Trump’s trade policies. With no sign yet of relief or a new bilateral trade deal, the coming weeks will be pivotal for exporters and policymakers on both sides.
Listeners, thanks for tuning in to the South Korea Tariff News and Tracker. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an update on this fast-evolving story.
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