South Korea’s Export Ranking Dips to 9th Amid 5.9% Decline in 2025
South Korea has fallen to 9th place among the United States’ largest import partners, as US tariff policies impact key Korean exports.
Data released by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) on Wednesday revealed that US imports from South Korea totaled $113.4 billion between January and November of 2025, representing a 5.9% decrease compared to the same period in 2024.
During the January-November 2025 period, South Korea accounted for 3.6% of total US imports, positioning it ninth among the US’s leading import sources. This marks a two-position decline from the previous year and represents the lowest share since KITA began tracking this data in 1988.
Mexico led the list, exporting $492.5 billion worth of goods to the US, accounting for 15.7% of total US imports. Following Mexico were Canada at $351.2 billion, China at $287.3 billion, Taiwan at $176.7 billion, Vietnam at $175.3 billion, Germany at $140.8 billion, Japan at $133.8 billion, and Ireland at $129.7 billion.
In 2024, prior to the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, South Korea held a 4% share of total US imports, ranking seventh among US import sources. From 2009 to 2024, South Korea consistently ranked sixth or seventh.
This decline is attributed to the US decision in April of the previous year to impose a 25% tariff on Korean exports, significantly impacting major export categories such as automobiles and steel.
A subsequent agreement was reached in October, following a meeting between President Lee Jae Myung and President Trump in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, which reduced the tariff rate on Korean exports to 15%. As part of the deal, South Korea committed to investing $350 billion in the US.
However, uncertainty persists. President Trump recently cautioned that tariffs on Korean automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and lumber could be reinstated to 25% from the current 15%, citing delays in the passage of a special bill designed to facilitate Korean investments in the US.
hwkan
