President Donald Trump on Monday placed a 25% tax on goods imported from Japan and South Korea, citing persistent trade imbalances with the two crucial U.S. allies in Asia. Trump provided notice of the tariffs to begin on Aug. 1 by posting letters on Truth Social that were addressed to the leaders of both countries.
Trump has been talking for a while about ending trade negotiations and sending out letters informing countries about their tariff rates.
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On Friday, the president told reporters that “I signed some letters and they’ll go out on Monday, probably 12.” (Two have been released so far.)
The letters, issued on White House stationary, have Trump’s typical flourishes and capitalization. “We invite you to participate in the extraordinary Economy of the United States, the Number One Market in the World, by far,” he wrote to the leaders of South Korea and Japan.
He ends both of the letters by saying, “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
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