![An electronic board showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at a dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday. (Yonhap)]](https://contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr/image/2025/07/CP-2023-0309/30489320.jpg)
South Korean stocks started a tad lower Wednesday on US President Donald Trump’s renewed tariff threats on copper and pharmaceuticals.
On Tuesday, Trump announced plans to slap a 50 percent duty on copper imports and up to 200 percent tariffs on pharmaceuticals. This move came just a day after he released letters to South Korea, Japan, and other countries, outlining his intention to impose reciprocal tariffs starting August 1.
Wall Street closed with mixed results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.37 percent and the S&P 500 lost 0.07 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.03 percent.
In Seoul, large caps opened in negative territory.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics dropped 1.3 percent, and chip giant SK hynix declined 1.42 percent.
Drugmakers went south as Celltrion retreated 0.57 percent, and Samsung Biologics fell 0.39 percent.
Top carmaker Hyundai Motor decreased 1.9 percent, and leading internet firm Naver lost 1.94 percent.
However, leading retailer Lotte Shopping rose 2.89 percent, and instant noodle maker Samyang Food added 0.84 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,373.95 won against the US dollar at 9:15 a.m., down 5.95 won from the previous session. (Yonhap)
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