Trump administration reinstates tariffs on 60 economies as South Korea pushes to retain 15% rate

President Donald Trump’s administration announced the re‑imposition of tariffs on imports from roughly 60 trading partners, ranging from 10% to a maximum of 12.5%. The measure is justified on the basis of forced‑labor concerns in supply chains. Countries such as Mexico, the United Kingdom, Canada and India will face a 10% duty, while the European Union, Taiwan, Japan, Switzerland and South Korea are slated for duties up to 12.5%.

South Korea has entered urgent diplomatic talks with Washington, urging the United States to keep the existing 15% tariff on Korean goods that was agreed last year. The South Korean presidency says the 15% rate is a mutually accepted framework and warns that additional duties would breach the prior agreement and raise the overall tariff burden beyond the agreed level.