No Formal U.S. Notice Received by Cheong Wa Dae The South Korean presidential office issued a press notice on Jan. 27 2026 stating it has not received any official notification or explanation from the United States regarding President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement [1][2]. The statement emphasizes the absence of a formal diplomatic communiqué or Federal Register entry. Cheong Wa Dae’s lack of notice underscores the surprise nature of the policy shift.

Trump Announces 25% Tariffs via Social Media On Monday, Trump posted that reciprocal and automobile tariffs on South Korean goods will rise from the current 15 percent to 25 percent [1][2]. He framed the increase as retaliation for the Korean legislature’s failure to complete the domestic process for the bilateral trade agreement. The announcement was made directly on his personal social‑media account without prior briefing to allied governments.

South Korean Officials Plan Immediate Diplomatic Response Policy chief Kim Yong‑beom is set to lead an inter‑agency meeting to formulate Seoul’s response to the tariff hike [1][2]. Industry Minister Kim Jung‑kwan, who is in Canada, will travel to the United States as soon as possible to discuss the issue with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick [1][2]. The meetings aim to seek clarification, mitigate economic impact, and explore possible negotiations.

Tariff Increase Linked to Unpassed Korean Trade Bill Trump’s statement references a trade bill submitted by the ruling Democratic Party in November that has not yet been passed by the National Assembly [1]. The July 2025 trade deal, finalized at President Lee Jae‑Myung’s October summit, included retroactive tariff reductions, with the U.S. lowering auto duties to 15 percent retroactive to Nov. 1 via a Federal Register notice in early December [1]. The new 25 percent demand revives pressure on South Korea to enact the pending legislation.