Trump to put 25 pct tariffs on Japan and South Korea

The letters warned both countries to not retaliate by increasing their own import taxes, or else the Trump administration would increase import taxes that could damage the auto and electronics sectors of Japan and South Korea, two crucial partners for the US in countering China's influence.

"If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 25% that we charge," Trump wrote in the letters to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.

The letters, issued on White House stationery, have Trump's typical flourishes and capitalisation."We invite you to participate in the extraordinary Economy of the United States, the Number One Market in the World, by far," he wrote.

He ends both of the letters by saying, "Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

Trump has been eager to escalate tariffs on American trading partners after pausing his plans earlier this year.

with AP