U.S. President Donald Trump announced a “full and complete” trade agreement with South Korea, establishing a 15% tariff on South Korean exports to the U.
S. The move represents a rollback from the earlier threat of a 25% tariff and is seen as part of a broader recalibration of America’s global trade policy.
The deal, which excludes key South Korean agricultural products from expanded U.S. access, preserves existing 50% tariffs on metals such as steel, aluminum, and copper. In exchange, South Korea has pledged $350 billion in U.S.-managed investments, including $150 billion in shipbuilding and $200 billion across semiconductors, biotech, and clean energy. An additional $100 billion will go toward U.S. energy purchases over 3.5 years.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung welcomed the agreement, citing it as a vital step toward stability amid global economic uncertainty.
In a parallel and more aggressive move, the U.
S. has imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, coupled with additional import taxes. Analysts say the measure reflects Washington’s increasingly firm stance on realigning trade terms with emerging economies.
Though Trump’s administration hails the South Korean deal as a strategic victory, economic experts warn that the lack of transparency in investment enforcement mechanisms may complicate implementation and long-term benefits.
