US President Donald Trump has announced fresh tariffs on South Korean goods after accusing Seoul of failing to meet the terms of a trade agreement signed last year.

Trump said the United States has increased tariffs on South Korean imports from 15 per cent to 25 per cent. The higher duties apply to a wide range of products, including automobiles, lumber, pharmaceuticals and “all other Reciprocal TARIFFS”.

The move comes despite a $350 billion trade deal reached between the two countries in October last year. Under the agreement, South Korea was expected to invest $350 billion in the United States, with part of the money directed toward shipbuilding.

Trump claimed that South Korea has been slow in following through on the deal. He said South Korean lawmakers have delayed approval, while the US has already taken action. According to Trump, “we have acted swiftly to reduce our TARIFFS in line with the Transaction agreed to.”

South Korea says it was not informed

South Korea’s presidential office said it was not notified in advance about the tariff hike. Officials expressed surprise at the announcement and said discussions with the US would follow.

The office confirmed that Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan, who is currently in Canada, will travel to Washington. He is expected to hold talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to address the issue.

Seoul has maintained that the trade deal does not need parliamentary approval. In November, South Korea’s presidential office said the agreement is a memorandum of understanding rather than a legally binding treaty.

When asked whether the deal had been formally submitted to parliament, a senior official said the government was reviewing the matter but did not provide further details.

Supreme Court delays ruling on Trump tariff powers

In a separate development, the US Supreme Court has postponed a decision on a legal challenge related to Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose broad global tariffs.

The court did not say when it would take up the case again. As is standard practice, it also did not announce when a ruling might be delivered or schedule a new hearing date.

The case focuses on whether Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA. The administration used the law to declare a national emergency and introduce country-specific import tariffs.

The challenge was brought by importers, who argue that the tariffs were imposed without clear approval from Congress. The delay means the legality of the tariff policy remains unresolved for now.