Trump Raises Tariffs on South Korea, Seen as a Warning to Taiwan

This situation is really not looking good. U.S. President Donald Trump suddenly announced early on the morning of the 27th (Taiwan time) that because South Korea failed to implement the trade agreement it had reached with the United States, the tariff rate that had already been reduced to 15% would be raised back to 25%.

Put simply in one sentence:
👉 谈好不照做，就加税。对此，美国德州州立大学政治系副教授、台湾学者 翁履中 点得很直白：
这一刀表面砍韩国，实际上是砍给所有“以为可以拖”的国家看，台湾也在名单里。

Trump’s logic is very simple: say it, then do it

Trump explained on his own social media platform, Truth Social, that the United States has always acted according to agreements — lowering tariffs immediately once deals are reached. In return, trade partners are expected to implement their commitments without delay. He specifically pointed out that he reached an agreement with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on July 30 last year and reaffirmed it during his visit to South Korea on October 29, but the South Korean parliament has yet to approve it. As a result, he decided to take direct action and raise the tariff rate back to 25%.

Weng Li-chung: Stop assuming Trump is just talking

In a Facebook analysis, Weng Li-chung said Trump’s governing logic is already very clear — diplomacy, trade, and national security can all be “priced, punished, and exchanged.”

最危险的误判，就是以为「他只是讲讲而已」。连韩国这种美国盟友，都照样被加税，川普传递的讯号只有一个：👉 The most dangerous misjudgment is thinking that “he’s just saying it.” Even an ally like South Korea was hit with higher tariffs. Trump’s message is unmistakable: 👉 Allies do not get privileges — they are expected to cooperate even more.

On the surface, South Korea is hit — but is Taiwan the real target?

Weng warned that although this move landed on South Korea, it is actually a warning to all countries that want to delay or wait things out — and Taiwan is certainly included. He stated bluntly that, in Trump’s eyes, Taiwan’s internal party conflicts and political infighting are completely irrelevant.
Trump cares about only one thing: 👉 Did you implement what you promised, quickly? It’s not about what you said — it’s about what you did.一点都不重要。
Weng warned that although this move landed on South Korea, it is actually a warning to all countries that want to delay or wait things out — and Taiwan is certainly included.
He stated bluntly that, in Trump’s eyes, Taiwan’s internal party conflicts and political infighting are completely irrelevant.
Trump cares about only one thing:
👉 Did you implement what you promised, quickly?
It’s not about what you said — it’s about what you did. 你有没有照承诺快速落实？不是你说了什么，而是你做了什么。

The conclusion is realistic, and also harsh

Weng ultimately laid it bare: Trump is using the most direct way possible to tell all trade partners three things:

• You can disagree, but you must pay the price.
• You can negotiate, but you need leverage.
• If you delay, then you face the reality of tariffs.

And Taiwan’s current situation is this:
external risks are rising, while internal infighting continues;
the ruling party keeps conceding, the opposition keeps blocking;
yet very few people are truly thinking from the perspective of Taiwan’s overall interests. This, Weng believes, is what is most concerning.