Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: One martyr and one wounded in an Israeli drone attack on the town of Hafir, west of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone fired three missiles in the vicinity of the town of Bodai, west of Baalbek.
Reuters: The Rapid Support Forces announced that they have taken over the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces in al-Fasher.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.

Trump imposes 25% levies on East Asia allies, threatens BRICS with 10%

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 7 Jul 2025 23:51
5 Min Read

Trump managed to levy 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea, threaten BRICS nations, and shake international markets.

Listen
  • x
  • Trump imposes 25% tariffs on East Asian allies Japan, South Korea
    A member of civic groups attends a rally against US President Donald Trump's tariff policy in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, June 30, 2025 (AP)

US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping 25% tariffs on all imports from Japan and South Korea, effective August 1. The new tariffs were revealed in near-identical letters sent to both governments and posted to Truth Social. Trump warned that any retaliatory measures would be met with equivalent increases. “If for any reason you decide to raise your tariffs, then whatever the number you choose to raise them by will be added onto that 25%,” he wrote.

The move came as part of a broader tiered tariff rollout: 30% for South Africa, and 40% for Laos and Myanmar, while Malaysia and Kazakhstan joined Japan and South Korea in facing 25% levies. In total, 14 countries received tariff warning letters on Monday, with dozens more to follow later this week, according to the White House.

Despite an earlier July 9 deadline, Trump signed an executive order extending the 90-day pause first introduced in April, effectively giving trading partners until August 1 to strike deals or face penalties.

"This is Liberation Day. April 2nd, 2025 will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America's destiny was reclaimed, and the day that we began to make America wealthy again," US President Donald #Trump declared moments before he announced tariffs… pic.twitter.com/dau4mO9Wxe

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 2, 2025

 Markets rattle as trade tensions escalate

In the United States, the Dow fell 456 points (1.02%), while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also slid nearly 1%. Meanwhile, in East Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s Kospi dipped 0.26% and 0.48%, respectively. The Korean won dropped 1.1%, its lowest level in two weeks, as currency traders dumped assets from Trump-targeted economies.

While Wall Street has absorbed months of tariff noise, analysts warn the uncertainty is deepening, especially for importers and multinational manufacturers with complex Asia-based supply chains.

Japan, South Korea hit where it hurts: Auto industry

Related News

US may cut India tariff rate to 15-16%, according to Mint

Trump: No Gaza troops, no more arms to Ukraine, tariffs on China

The tariffs strike directly at the industrial cores of both nations. Japan’s auto industry, responsible for 8.3% of the national workforce and nearly $420 billion in annual exports, faces a crisis. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called the tariffs a “national emergency” and vowed not to “easily compromise". Automakers like Toyota and Honda are bracing for $19 billion in losses this fiscal year alone.

South Korea’s Hyundai and Kia, which sold 1.7 million cars in the US last year, risk losing 4.9 trillion won ($3.6 billion) in 2025 alone. Both firms have launched aggressive discount campaigns, cutting prices by up to $16,900 per vehicle, to retain US market share.

Governments are scrambling to cushion the blow: Seoul has unveiled a â‚©3 trillion ($2 billion) emergency package for automakers, while Tokyo is preparing stimulus measures after its economy contracted in Q1 2025.

Trump vs. BRICS: A new trade front

Beyond East Asia, Trump’s trade offensive now targets countries aligned with BRICS. In a Truth Social post, he warned that any nation “aligning with the Anti-American policies of BRICS” would face an additional 10% tariff.

The threat came as BRICS leaders wrapped up a summit in Rio de Janeiro, where they issued a joint statement condemning “unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures.”

In a pointed rebuke, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared, “We are sovereign nations. We don’t want an emperor.”

The 11-member bloc, now expanded to include Iran, the UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia, represents nearly 40% of global GDP and half the world’s population. While Trump did not name specific countries, India, South Africa, and Brazil, each in negotiations with Washington, now face growing uncertainty.

A shifting trade order?

As the US becomes an increasingly unreliable trading partner, regional blocs and emerging economies may head to China and the European Union for alternative trade routes. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to meet Southeast Asian leaders later this month, positioning Beijing as a stabilizing force amid US disruption.

Despite promises of “90 deals in 90 days,” Trump has secured only three: with the UK, Vietnam, and a temporary framework with China, set to expire in mid-August. Talks with Japan have reportedly stalled, with Trump telling aides, “It’s easier to send a letter. Take it or leave it.”

Trump’s escalating trade war, now expanded to US allies, BRICS-aligned states, and even NATO partners, represents a sharp break from post-war global economic norms. Whether these tactics yield the “best deals possible,” as the White House insists, or ignite a global trade realignment, will depend on what happens before August 1.

But as Lula warned, the world’s emerging economies are no longer playing by imperial rules.

  • US tariffs
  • United States
  • Japan
  • tariffs
  • trade war
  • Donald Trump
  • South Korea

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Undated photo of Hanwha Ocean’s Goeje Shipyard in South Korea (Hanwha Ocean)
Politics

China counters US maritime bloc with sanctions on Hanwha Ocean

Catherine Connolly speaks after being after being elected as the new President of Ireland at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Connolly wins Irish presidency in blow to political establishment

Buildings destroyed during the Israeli air and ground offensive are seen in the Al-Shati camp, in Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel's' post-ceasefire demolitions in Gaza violate agreement: Hamas

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran’s Araghchi: Our nuclear bomb is resilience, not weapons

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS