Evening Briefing Americas

Trump Threatens Higher Tariffs on Japan, South Korea

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Trump on Monday unveiled letters that threaten to impose higher tariffs rates on key trading partners.

Photographer: Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg

US President Donald Trump has unveiled letters that threaten to impose higher tariff rates on key trading partners, including levies of 25% on goods from Japan and South Korea beginning Aug. 1.

Trump also announced 25% rates on Malaysia and Kazakhstan, while South Africa would see a 30% tariff and Laos and Myanmar would face a 40% levy. The nations were the first in what the president promised would be a flurry of unilateral warnings and trade deals announced Monday, two days before agreements are due from trading partners facing his April 2 so-called reciprocal levies. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said around a dozen countries would receive notifications on Monday, and that additional letters will come shortly.