South Korea April 2025 exports +3.7% vs. expected -2.0% and prior 3.0%
- imports -2.7% vsl expected -7.0%, prior +2.3%
- trade surplus of $4.88 billion, slightly down from March
The exports surprise may have been pipeline stuffing ahead of tariffs (Trump paused tariffs only a few days after the announcement disaster). Just a guess.
More:
- exports driven by strong semiconductor sales and resilient steel shipments
- U.S. tariffs dragged down auto exports
- chip exports jumped over 17% (best gain in 4 months)
- shipments to the U.S. fell nearly 7%
- exports to China +3.9%
- exports to the EU +18.4%
