Officials in South Korea are said to be concerned after Donald Trump’s comments to Congress indicated their country could be next on the list to be hit with tariffs.
The 47th POTUS marked 43 days in charge of the country on Tuesday (March 4) with a speech to Congress.
During it, Trump revealed Vladimir Putin has provided ‘strong signals’ to the US that he wants peace with Ukraine and detailed a letter received from President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid the ongoing war in Europe.
He also had a message for the people of Greenland in what was a somewhat confusing address.
A huge talking point from Trump’s premiership so far is that of tariffs, with the likes of Canada, Mexico and China being hit.
The tariffs have been introduced to tackle what the White House has described as an ‘extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl’.
Donald Trump has imposed a number of tariffs (ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
25 percent tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico, while 20 percent tariffs have been dropped on China.
South Korea could be next on the tariffs list, with officials in Seoul said to be concerned by comments made by President Trump in his congress speech.
Trump said South Korea’s average tariff was four times higher than the level seen in the US, which suggested the country may be hit next.
He told Congress: “South Korea’s average tariff is four times higher. Think of that. Four times higher.
“And we give so much help militarily and in so many other ways to South Korea. But that’s what happens. This is happening by friend and foe.”
Seoul has since disputed this, with the ministry stating they would be ‘actively communicating’ with officials in Washington about tariffs.
As a counter, China announced plans to impose taxes of 15 percent on coal and liquified natural gas from the US, as well as a 10 percent levy on crude oil, farming equipment, and some cars.
Meanwhile, imports of US-grown chicken, wheat, corn and cotton will see an extra 15 percent tariff, while the likes of sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafoods, fruit, vegetables, and dairy products are seeing a 10 percent increase, as per AP.
Han Duck-soo, South Korea’s prime minister (JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
Both the Canadian and Mexican leaders announced shortly after the tariffs were confirmed by Trump that they were bringing in counter tariffs.
Canada is imposing 25 percent tariffs on CA $155 billion of US goods, with prime minister Justin Trudeau stating: “It will have real consequences for you, the American people.
“The actions taken by the White House split us apart instead of bringing us together.”
Speaking of her country’s plans, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on Twitter: “We categorically reject the White House’s slander that the Mexican government has alliances with criminal organisations, as well as any intention of meddling in our territory.
“If the United States government and its agencies wanted to address the serious fentanyl consumption in their country, they could fight the sale of drugs on the streets of their major cities, which they don’t do, and the laundering of money that this illegal activity generates that has done so much harm to its population.”
A young Australian couple have revealed how they launched a multi-million dollar business with only $2,000 AUD in their bank account.
Inspired by a gap in the market for high-quality men’s jewelry, Zak and Frei, then 23, decided to take the plunge and start their own business during lockdown.
“The idea started after months of searching for earrings for Zak and not being able to find anything that felt right,” Frei reflects. “We could see a need for pieces that blended individuality and art. Even though jewellery is a saturated market overwhelmed by overly feminine styles and uninspired men’s pieces, we decided to take matters into our own hands.”
After taking a jewelry course and investing $2,000 into their business idea, the couple started to create jewelry from their bedroom.
Lox and Chain
“Until September 2022, we made every single piece right from our bedroom. It was challenging to say the least. Making jewelry all day left our bedroom covered in silver dust and other compounds, which wasn’t healthy at all, but we loved the process and learned so much.”
Fast forward five years later, and Lox and Chain has earned global recognition, with fans from around the world rushing to purchase their unique designs. Zak’s first creation for the brand was the Knife Fight Pendant. Now, there are hundreds of other handcrafted, customisable designs to choose from online – each jewelry piece beautifully designed in Sydney and handcrafted in Denpasar, Bali.
With hundreds of rave reviews, it seems word has finally got out in the US, as even shoppers ‘who don’t usually wear jewelry’ can’t get enough.
Lox and Chain
One review for the Memento Locket Signet Ring reads: “Indeed a fortunate and praiseworthy discovery, Lox and Chain. We happened upon these artists by chance and could not feel more celebratory. The piece is expertly crafted and sized as quoted, no adjustments. We are please beyond measure and will be ordering again soon.”
Another shopper shared, “The quality and attention to detail is amazing! Very unique pieces that are created.”
In just five years, the brand has made a name for itself selling customisable necklaces, signet rings, and bracelets – and is now worth millions.
With storytelling at its heart, Lox and Chain‘s latest collection includes memento lockets and ‘breakable’ heart necklaces designed to be shared.
Since word has made its way to the US, you might want to get your hands on the brand’s latest standout pieces, before they sell out.
Shop our top picks below:
Memento Locket Signet Ring
Lox and Chain
The Memento Signet Locket Ring will make a thoughtful gift, as a small photo can be placed inside the jewellery item. To make it completely bespoke, you can even have it engraved.
Crafted from solid sterling silver or gold with the brand’s signature bloodstone texture, it’s a keepsake that never has to be taken off.
“The quality and attention to detail is amazing!” one review reads. “Very unique pieces.”
Another customer shared, “Finally, a locket ring for men! I wanted to get my husband a sentimental gift that was also something he would love wearing. This was the perfect gift! I have never seen a locket ring for men and was so excited for this find. The quality is amazing and he was so happy with it.”
Breakable Heart Pendant
Lox and Chain
The Breakable Heart Pendant is designed to break apart to form two separate necklaces, one for you and one for your other half. According to Lox and Chain, this represents a ‘symbol of connection, distance, and love in all its forms’. The best part? It’s made to withstand water, time, and everyday wear and tear.
Boot Lighter Carabiner
Lox and Chain
Artfully crafted to clip onto a carabiner, the Boot Lighter Carabiner comes with a sterling silver-plated frame, and will make a great gift for people with attention to detail.
In case you needed any further convincing, one five-star review reads: “Made really well you can see the unique etchings from when it was hammered. My boyfriend loved it.”
Visit Lox and Chain online now to shop the collection.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has issued a statement following Donald Trump’s confirmation the US will be ‘imposing 25 percent tariffs on Canadian exports’.
Last month, Donald Trump signed off on an order imposing ‘catastrophic’ tariffs to ‘hold China, Mexico and Canada accountable for their promises to halt the flood of poisonous drugs into the US’ by placing 25 percent tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico, and 10 percent on China.
The only ‘solution’ for Canada to avoid the tariff according to the 47th President of the US? For Canada to ‘become [the US’] Cherished 51st State’.
On March 3, Trudeau released a statement online about the ‘unjustified US tariffs against Canada’.
The statement reads: “Today, after a 30-day pause, the United States administration has decided to proceed with imposing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports and 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian energy. Let me be unequivocally clear – there is no justification for these actions.”
When Trump first announced the order, an announcement released by the White House stated the tariffs are part of Trump ‘taking bold action to hold Mexico, Canada, and China accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country’.
“There is growing production of fentanyl in Canada, and enough fentanyl was seized at the northern border last fiscal year to kill 9.8 million Americans,” the order claimed. “Additionally, illegal border crossings from Canada reached historic new highs every year for the last four fiscal years.”
Responding directly to this, Trudeau’s statement argues ‘less than one percent of the fentanyl intercepted at the US border comes from Canada’ and the country has ‘worked relentlessly to address this scourge that affects Canadians and Americans alike’.
Donald Trump signed off on an order imposing higher tariffs on countries including China and Canada (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“We implemented a $1.3 billion border plan with new choppers, boots on the ground, more co-ordination, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. We appointed a Fentanyl Czar, listed transnational criminal cartels as terrorist organizations, launched the Joint Operational Intelligence Cell, and are establishing a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force on organized crime,” the statement continues. “Because of this work – in partnership with the United States – fentanyl seizures from Canada have dropped 97 per cent between December 2024 and January 2025 to a near-zero low of 0.03 pounds seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.”
The statement vows Canada will ‘not let this unjustified decision go unanswered’ and should the tariffs ‘come into effect tonight’ the country will be responding with its own ’25 percent tariffs against $155 billion of American goods’ ‘effective 12:01 a.m. EST tomorrow’.
Justin Trudeau has released a statement (Katherine KY Cheng/Getty Images))
The tariffs being imposed by Canada on the US will begin with ‘tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and tariffs on the remaining $125 billion on American products in 21 days’ time,’ Trudeau warns.
And the tariffs will ‘remain in place’ until ‘the US trade action is withdrawn’.
Should Trump not backtrack on the order?
Well, Trudeau reveals Canada is ‘in active and ongoing discussions with provinces and territories to pursue several non-tariff measures’.
He resolves: “While we urge the US administration to reconsider their tariffs, Canada remains firm in standing up for our economy, our jobs, our workers, and for a fair deal.
“Because of the tariffs imposed by the U.S., Americans will pay more for groceries, gas, and cars, and potentially lose thousands of jobs. Tariffs will disrupt an incredibly successful trading relationship. They will violate the very trade agreement that was negotiated by President Trump in his last term.”
Canada and Mexico have responded after President Donald Trump imposed huge tariffs, with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau warning his actions will have ‘real consequences for the American people’.
President Trump has been back in The White House for nearly two weeks, and he’s made a ton of amendments to the way the US is run in that short space of time.
Heck, Trump broke records for the number of executive orders signed on his first day as president, with changes to passports and immigration among some of his first moves.
The Trump administration has also imposed higher tariff imports on countries like China, Canada and Mexico, with import tariffs at 25 percent for Mexico and Canada, while there’s ten percent tariffs on goods from China.
As you can imagine, the new changes haven’t gone down well with Canadian, Mexican and Chinese officials.
Donald Trump has introduced many executive orders (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Speaking shorty before the hiked tariffs were detailed on Saturday (February 1), Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: “We’re ready with a response, a purposeful, forceful but reasonable, immediate response.”
And during a press briefing on Friday (January 31st), Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said: “We have Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, depending on what the government of the United States decides.
“It is very important for the people of Mexico to know that we will always defend the dignity of our people, that we will always defend respect for our sovereignty, and engage in dialogue as equals, as we have always stated, without subordination.”
Both the Canadian and Mexican president announced counter-tariffs on Saturday evening as a direct response to Trump’s executive order.
The Canadian prime minister has hit back (DAVE CHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Canada is imposing 25 percent tariffs on CA $155 billion of US goods.
Trudeau said: “It will have real consequences for you, the American people.”
Speaking in an address on Saturday, the Canadian prime minister added: “The actions taken by the White House split us apart instead of bringing us together.”
Meanwhile, Sheinbaum revealed in a post on Twitter that she’s ordered her economic minister to implement measures to protect Mexico’s best interests.
Claudia Sheinbaum is taking measures too (ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)
“We categorically reject the White House’s slander that the Mexican government has alliances with criminal organisations, as well as any intention of meddling in our territory,” Mexico’s president wrote.
“If the United States government and its agencies wanted to address the serious fentanyl consumption in their country, they could fight the sale of drugs on the streets of their major cities, which they don’t do, and the laundering of money that this illegal activity generates that has done so much harm to its population.”
Here’s the impact Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada and Mexico will have on groceries and gas prices.
President Trump has certainly wasted no time in getting his polices across, as he broke records for the number of executive orders signed on his first day as president.
The 47th US president has made changes to passports and immigration just to name a few, while his decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America has certainly proved controversial.
The Trump administration has also imposed higher tariff imports on countries like China, Canada and Mexico.
What is Trump’s new executive order?
Trump’s executive order means import tariffs are taxed at 25 percent for Mexico and Canada, while there’s ten percent tariffs on goods from China. A 10 percent tariff will also apply to energy imported from Canada.
Donald Trump has signed a number of executive orders (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Trump had been threatening the tariffs to ensure greater cooperation from the countries on stopping illegal immigration and the smuggling of chemicals used for fentanyl, but he has also pledged to use tariffs to boost domestic manufacturing.
Speaking to press on Friday (January 31), White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: “Starting tomorrow, those tariffs will be in place. These are promises made and promises kept by the president.”
How Trump’s tariffs will affect your groceries and gas prices
The tariffs are set to have an impact on every American household, with families set to notice a hike in their weekly food shop.
Editor of The Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert told ABC: “About 63% of all our vegetables come from Mexico. When we look at fruit and nuts, about 50% come from there. If we take a look at our meat, that comes from Canada.
“This is not something that’s going to have a good effect for consumers any time soon.”
The likes of avocados, berries, cooking oil, meat, meat products, beer and even tequila are set to see increases, according to the expert.
Avocados are set to see a price increase (ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images)
On top of that, you’ve got gas price hikes, with Lempert adding: “Gas prices are going to go up. That’s what we get from Canada.
“Also, if you take a look, a lot of our US cars are assembled and parts come from Mexico. So, we’re going to see the price of cars go up.”
Canada and Mexico’s response to the tariffs
Both the Canadian and Mexican president announced counter-tariffs on Saturday evening as a direct response to Trump’s executive order.
Canada is imposing 25 percent tariffs on CA $155 billion of US goods, while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum ordered her economic minister to implement measures to protect Mexico’s best interests.
