CNBC Daily Open: Trump turns tariff pressure back on South Korea — but markets are focused on Big Tech earnings

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Taken from CNBC’s Daily Open, our international markets newsletter — Subscribe today

U.S. President Donald Trump has been using tariffs in creative ways: to stop drug trafficking (ostensibly), to preserve national security aims (purportedly) and, now, to hasten the legislative process in another country.

Trump on Monday said he would increase tariffs on some South Korean goods because of Seoul’s delay in implementing the trade deal with the U.S. struck in October. Duties on autos, pharmaceuticals and lumber would increase to 25% from 15%.

Even as the U.S. continues to erect barriers with its economic partners, others are building trade corridors among themselves.