Trump says he will raise South Korea tariffs back to 25 percent

President Trump announced he was raising tariffs on South Korean exports, including cars, back to 25 percent, saying Seoul was not moving fast enough to implement a recent investment agreement. South Korean officials said the announcement caught them off guard. In October, Mr. Trump agreed to lower tariffs on South Korean products to 15 percent after winning a pledge that Seoul would invest $350 billion in the United States.

At the time the leaders exchanged gifts and Mr. Trump allowed South Korea to pursue a goal of building nuclear-powered submarines, and the two governments signed a memorandum of understanding on investment. Mr. Trump did not say when the new duties would take effect. “South Korea’s Legislature is not living up to its Deal with the United States,” Mr.

Trump wrote on social media. South Korean officials said the agreement did not require parliamentary ratification because it was an MOU, and they noted competing bills have been filed and enactment has been delayed by bickering between parties. Seoul said Washington had not officially informed it of the decision.

South Korea’s trade and industry minister, Kim Jung-Kwan, who was visiting Canada, planned to travel to the United States to meet Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Seoul planned to send its chief trade negotiator, Yeo Han-koo, to meet his U.S. counterpart. Top aides to President Lee met to review pending bills; Ms.

Key Topics

World, Donald Trump, South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, Tariffs, National Assembly