According to the New York Times, in formal letters dated July 7, 2025, sent from the White House and addressed to Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung, Trump accused both countries of long-standing tariff and non-tariff barriers that have created massive trade deficits at the expense of the United States.
CNN
President of the United States, Donald J. Trump has issued a sweeping warning to more than a dozen U.S. trading partners—including Japan and South Korea—that new tariff of at least 25 percent will be imposed on all imported goods from these nations starting August 1, 2025, unless substantial changes are made to what he calls “persistent, unfair trade practices.”
According to the New York Times, in formal letters dated July 7, 2025, sent from the White House and addressed to Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung, Trump accused both countries of long-standing tariff and non-tariff barriers that have created massive trade deficits at the expense of the United States.
We have had years to discuss our Trading Relationship... and have concluded that we must move away from these longterm, and very persistent, Trade Deficits engendered by [your country’s] Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers.
The 25 percent tariffs, Trump claimed, are only the beginning. In both letters, he warned that if the affected countries retaliate or raise their tariffs, “whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 25percent that we charge.”
The letters suggest that countries can avoid these new duties by shifting production to the United States.
There will be no Tariff if [your country], or companies within your Country, decide to build or manufacture product within the United States and, in fact, we will do everything possible to get approvals quickly, professionally, and routinely.
The former president emphasized what he called the superiority of the U.S. economy, stating that the U.S. invited the countries to participate in the extraordinary Economy of the United States, the Number One Market in the World, by far.
Trump’s move is part of a broader strategy to frame chronic U.S. trade deficits not just as economic problems, but as matters of national security.
The move to impose across-the-board tariffs echoes policies from Trump’s first term in office, when his administration imposed steep tariffs on steel, aluminium, and other imports, triggering trade tensions with key allies and global markets. At the time, Trump’s trade war with China and protectionist stance were heavily criticized by economists, who warned of retaliatory measures and disruptions to global supply chains.
In addition to these two countries, Trump also announced separate tariffs on 12 other trade partners, including Myanmar and Laos facing 40 percent tariff rate, Thailand and Cambodia with 36 percent tariff, Serbia and Bangladesh with 35 percent, Indonesia with 30 percent tariff while South Africa, Bosnia, and Herzegovina will be subjected to 30 percent duties. Additional counties also include Malaysia, Kazakhstan, ad Tunisia - facing 25 percent tax starting 1 August.
