Donald Trump releases tariff letters: Japan, Korea to face 25% US duties from August 1, 2025; check details

US President Donald Trump on Monday released letters sent by America to various trading partners informing them of the reciprocal tariff rates that will be effective on August 1, 2025.

The first two letters posted by Trump on social media platform Truth Social revealed that US will be imposing a tariff rate of 25% on Japan and Korea.In the last few days, Trump had declared his intention to dispatch tariff letters to multiple countries, ahead of the approaching deadline for trading associates to conclude negotiations. On Sunday, Trump indicated he would issue up to 15 initial letters, cautioning that US import duties would revert to the elevated rates he established in April if nations do not secure agreements.

However, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified that the duties would not return until August 1, allowing additional time for negotiations on an issue that has created instability in worldwide markets."I am pleased to announce that the UNITED STATES TARIFF Letters, and/or Deals, with various Countries from around the World, will be delivered starting 12:00 P.M. (Eastern), Monday, July 7th," Trump posted on his Truth Social network.

In a subsequent message, he issued a warning about imposing an additional 10%t tariff on nations associating with the rising BRICS bloc, charging them with "anti-Americanism" following their criticism of his tariffs during a Sunday summit.On April 2, which he dubbed "Liberation Day", Trump introduced comprehensive tariffs, implementing a 10% duty on imports from nearly all trade partners. Several nations, including certain European Union members, were designated to face substantially higher rates.As financial markets declined, Trump suspended the tariffs for 90 days to facilitate negotiations - a period that ends on Wednesday. The outcomes have been modest thus far, with Washington securing agreements solely with Britain and Vietnam, whilst reaching a temporary arrangement with China to reduce the exceptionally high duties on their respective products.Trump indicated to journalists while boarding Air Force One on Sunday that he would dispatch between "12, could be 15" letters the following day.Trump stated that by July 9, most nations would receive either correspondence or finalise agreements, noting that some arrangements were already concluded.US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, accompanying Trump, confirmed the implementation of tariffs on August 1, whilst rejecting suggestions that this represented a deadline extension. "The President is setting the rates and the deals right now.""It's not a new deadline. We are saying, this is when it's happening. If you want to speed things up, have at it. If you want to go back to the old rate, that's your choice," he said.