By Jeff Mason, Bart H. Meijer and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump opened a new phase on Monday in the trade war he launched this year, telling partners, from powerhouse suppliers such as Japan and South Korea to minor players,

The country’s new president, in office for a little over a month, had just dispatched his senior deputies to Washington to try to work out a trade deal.

President Donald Trump on Monday placed a 25% tax on goods imported from Japan and South Korea, citing persistent trade imbalances with the two crucial U.S. allies in Asia.Trump provided notice of the tariffs to begin on Aug.