January 1, Trump Pushes Korea to Cut a Better Deal

Wyatt’s Take

• Trump wants fair trade with South Korea
• He’s pressing for better deals and more American jobs
• Tariffs could go higher if promises aren’t kept

President Trump says he’s ready to sort things out with South Korea after upping tariffs on their exports. He’s making it clear America won’t tolerate broken deals that hurt our own workers and industries.

Trump told reporters, “We’ll work something out with South Korea,” before heading to Iowa, but didn’t lay out details or deadlines.

On Jan. 26, he posted about raising tariffs on South Korean cars and goods from 15 to 25 percent. Trump blames the hike on South Korea’s lawmakers failing to deliver on their end of last year’s agreement.

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer explained, “They haven’t been able to get a bill through to do the investment.” He pointed out that South Korea also missed promises in agriculture and manufacturing.

Greer called the $65 billion trade deficit with South Korea “not sustainable and it has to change.” America had agreed last year to lower tariffs if South Korea opened markets and increased investment, but those promises haven’t been met.

South Korea’s Democratic Party says legislation is ready for the deal and has support from both main parties, but time is running short.

Opposition spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon criticized the current government for skipping steps, reminding everyone, “National Assembly ratification must take precedence, given its significant impact on national finances, key industries, and trade sovereignty.”

Choi urged emergency talks with the U.S. to curb tariff hikes and help affected businesses.

The South Korean president’s office says ministers will head to the U.S. to show they’re committed to making the agreement stick.

The White House hasn’t said when the new tariffs will start and didn’t comment by press time.

Read more at The Epoch Times

Wyatt Matters

America deserves trade deals that protect our jobs and our families’ futures. In Middle America, we know promises matter—holding allies accountable keeps our country strong and puts American workers first.