
South Korea’s exports fell nearly 24 percent in the first 10 days of May from a year ago due to fewer working days and ongoing trade headwinds from U.S. tariffs, data showed on Monday.
According to the Korea Customs Service, the country’s exports totaled $12.8 billion in the first 10 days of May, down 23.8 percent from the same period a year ago.
Daily exports declined 1 percent during the same period based on five working days, 1.5 days shorter than a year ago.
Korea’s monthly exports have been on the rise for three straight months until April. Its outbound shipments to the United States, however, fell 6.8 percent last month, falling for the first time in three months.
Korea’s exports to the U.S. fell 30.4 percent in the first 10 days of May.
Exports to China also plunged 20.1 percent during the cited period, while those to Vietnam declined 14.5 percent and European Union 38.1 percent.
Exports to Taiwan, on the other hand, gained 14.2 percent.
Nine out of 10 export items saw declines in the first 10 days of May.
Exports of chips rose 14 percent but those of automobiles fell 23.2 percent, petrochemical products 36.2 percent, and vessels 8.7 percent.
Imports in the first 10 days of May also fell 15.9 percent to $14.6 billion from a year ago, leading to a trade deficit of $1.7 billion.
Imports of manufacturing devices rose 10.6 percent and those of automobiles 22.1 percent while those of crude oil fell 6.1 percent and semiconductors 8.2 percent.
By region, imports from Vietnam rose 14.5 percent while those from China fell 16.8 percent, the U.S. 20 percent, and European Union 21.1 percent.
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