Trump Announces Korea Tariff Hike on Social Media—Seoul Says No Official Notice

A trade dispute that started with a single social media post. President Donald Trump announced he's raising tariffs on South Korea from 15% to 25%, but Seoul says it never received official notification of the decision.

Social Media Diplomacy Strikes Again

Trump took to his social media platform Monday to announce the tariff hike, claiming South Korea's legislature hasn't completed the domestic process to implement a bilateral trade deal. The new "reciprocal" and automotive tariffs will jump to 25% from the current 15%.

But here's the twist: South Korea's presidential office said Tuesday it has received "no official notification or explanation of the details from the U.S. government so far." It's diplomacy by tweet—or whatever platform Trump is using these days.

Kim Yong-beom, the presidential chief of staff for policy, is convening an interagency meeting to discuss Seoul's response. Meanwhile, Industry Minister Kim Jung-hwan, currently in Canada, plans to rush to the U.S. for talks with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

The Implementation Delay Excuse

Trump's justification centers on South Korea's delayed implementation of their trade agreement. But context matters here. South Korea has been dealing with significant political turmoil, including a recent martial law crisis that has paralyzed normal legislative functions.

From Seoul's perspective, this feels unfair. The delay isn't intentional foot-dragging—it's the result of domestic political chaos. But the Trump administration appears focused on results, not excuses.

The automotive sector faces the biggest hit. Hyundai and Kia, major players in the U.S. market, could see their competitive position erode significantly. This isn't just about trade numbers—it's about jobs and investment flows between the two allies.

The New Rules of Engagement

This episode reveals something important about how international relations work in the Trump era. Traditional diplomatic channels—embassy communications, formal negotiations, advance notice—seem optional. Social media announcements can apparently substitute for official diplomatic correspondence.

For South Korea, this creates a peculiar challenge. How do you respond to a policy announced on social media before your government even knows about it officially? It's like finding out about a friend's major life decision through their Instagram story rather than a phone call.

The broader implications are troubling for alliance management. If the U.S. can unilaterally announce trade penalties against close allies without prior consultation, what does that say about the value of the relationship?