Trump sets 25 percent tariffs on South Korea and Japan

Trump has launched similar letters to the leaders of South Africa, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, and Kazakhstan, saying he will hit their products at fees of 25 to 40 percent.

The president has said at the weekend that starting on Monday, he will send a host of letters to various states to inform him that he will implement the severe measures he has put off for a period of time in April.

In letters sent to leaders of Japan and South Korea, Trump has said that the increase in tariffs will take place as trade relations with Washington, “unfortunately are far from reciprocal”.

The letter said that the last date for the introduction of tariffs to power is August 1st and has warned of escalation to hear if the states involved retaliate.

Currently, these countries have been hit with 10 percent of the fee measures Trump applies to almost all trade partners.

However, the American president has said he is willing to lower tariffs if states change trade policies.

Japan's prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, has said on Sunday that he will not easily compromise” in trade talks with Washington.

So far, Washington has reached trade agreements only with Britain and Vietnam, until the United States and China have agreed to temporarily cut tariffs in each other's products, amounting to over 100 percent. / REL/ Periscopi/