Since unveiling his “Liberation Day” tariffs in April of 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump has directed his administration to negotiate updated trade agreements with countries around the world. These agreements – and the tariffs that preceded them – are ostensibly intended to address “unfair” trade imbalances and improve conditions for U.S. firms.

While a large amount of the Trump administration’s attention has been focused on the European Union, countries in the Indo-Pacific have also been targeted. With its massive manufacturing capacity, the region has long served as a source for a wide range of U.S. imports. As a result, many Indo-Pacific countries possess significant trade surpluses with the U.S., a condition viewed by Trump as unjust and intolerable.

In an effort to rebalance these relationships, Trump officials have been engaged in negotiations across the region. These talks have resulted in deals with a number of Indo-Pacific countries, including South Korea, Japan and Taiwan, each of which currently face tariff rates of 15%. However, the president has demonstrated a willingness to alter agreements and alter tariff rates, including threatening to raise tariffs on South Korea in response to delays in investments. 

This question will resolve positively if a major news outlet reports that the United States has imposed tariff rates of 20% or more on imports from South Korea, Japan or Taiwan.