Donald Trump has blamed South Korea directly with an ultimatum threatening 25% tariffs over persistent trade delays that have prevented agreement implementation. The direct blame, communicated through social media, accuses the Korean legislature of failing to honor commitments made at the highest government levels. The ultimatum affects major export sectors including automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and lumber representing billions in annual bilateral trade.
The 2024 agreement included American tariff reductions on Korean vehicles from 25% to 15% in exchange for Korean investments in American manufacturing and infrastructure. However, the deal has become entangled in political and legal debates about implementation requirements, with the executive branch and parliament holding different constitutional interpretations.
South Korea maintains it received no advance notice before Trump’s public blame and ultimatum. Officials are mobilizing emergency responses including Washington consultations and expedited parliamentary action to satisfy American demands while remaining constitutionally appropriate.
The automotive sector represents more than a quarter of exports and faces substantial risk from tariff increases. Nearly half of production goes to America, and manufacturers have invested decades building competitive positions that would be devastated by sudden tariff changes.
This exemplifies Trump’s reliance on trade policy as his primary instrument for advancing interests. Economists note that market volatility and business uncertainty impose real costs regardless of whether specific threats are ultimately implemented.