U.S. President Donald Trump announced that starting from August 1, a 25 percent tariff will be imposed on products imported from Japan and South Korea. He made this announcement through official letters on his “Truth Social” network.
Trump called on Tokyo and Seoul to relocate their production capacities to the U.S. — by doing so, they could avoid the tariffs. Otherwise, he threatened to increase the tariff rates further:
“If Japan or South Korea raise their tariff rates, we will add 25 percent to that number,” — said Trump.
This statement could signify a sharp turn in the U.S.'s trade relations with Asian countries.
