Trump: "Countries Without Trade Agreements Will Face Tariffs in the Range of 15~20%"

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on the 28th (local time) that countries which have not yet finalized trade agreements will be subject to reciprocal tariffs of 15~20%.

According to Yonhap News and others, President Trump made these remarks in response to questions from journalists at the Scotland Turnberry Golf Resort.

This suggests that countries without separate trade agreements will uniformly face tariffs of 15~20%.

Previously, on the 25th, President Trump also stated that for countries that have not completed trade agreements, "Once a letter specifying the tariff rate is sent, that letter becomes the deal," adding, "We will send about 200 such letters."

After announcing new tariff policies in the Rose Garden of the White House on April 2nd, he postponed the effective date of the reciprocal tariffs to the 8th of next month on two occasions.

Countries that have finalized trade agreements with the United States include the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, and the European Union (EU).

South Korea is currently negotiating with the aim of reaching an agreement before the 1st of next month. The realistic goal is to lower the reciprocal tariffs and auto tariffs, which are currently set at 25%, to the 15% level seen with Japan and the EU.

President Trump also expressed hopes that China would open its market. Regarding the third round of high-level trade negotiations with China being held in Stockholm, Sweden, led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, President Trump said, "We have a good relationship with China, but China is firm." Joining Secretary Besant at these negotiations is Jamieson Greer, a representative from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), and on the Chinese side, Vice Premier He Lifeng of the State Council is participating.

When asked about tariffs on pharmaceuticals, President Trump replied, "We will make an announcement related to pharmaceuticals in the very near future," and "We want to bring the pharmaceutical industry back to the United States."

Hankyung, Hankyung.com reporter case@hankyung.com