📊Executive Summary

The recent decision by the Trump administration to impose a 25% tariff on products with high steel, aluminum, and copper content, effective from April 6, 2026, will significantly impact South Korean appliance manufacturers, particularly in the washing machine and refrigerator sectors. This tariff simplifies previous complex tariff structures but poses a risk to profitability for companies with low single-digit operating margins. The cost of steel constitutes about 30% of the manufacturing cost for these appliances, meaning the new tariffs could severely affect pricing strategies and market competitiveness. Additionally, the potential decline in appliance demand due to inflation adds another layer of concern for procurement teams in the consumer electronics sector....