Korea fell to ninth among U.S. import partners last year, as its market presence eroded under tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration, the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) said Wednesday. According to KITA, which analyzed trade data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the United States imported goods worth $113.4 billion from Korea from January to November 2025, down 5.9 percent from a year earlier. The amount represented 3.6 percent of total U.S. imports — the ninth-largest share — falling two notches from 2024, when Korea accounted for 4 percent. The figure marks the lowest level since KITA began compiling related data in 1988. Korea previously ranked sixth or seventh every year since 2009. Mexico, Canada, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Germany, Japan and Ireland ranked ahead of Korea. The drop is largely due to Korea’s greater vulnerability to sweeping U.S. tariffs, which allowed Taiwan and Ireland to overtake it. In particular, Taiwan, a direct competitor to Korea in the semiconductor foundry sector, jumped to fourth place from eighth in 2024, accounting for 5.6
Korea slips to 9th in US import rankings amid Trump tariffs
in News
Related Posts
Latest News from Korea
- Korea slips to 9th in US import rankings amid Trump tariffs
Korea fell to ninth among U.S. import partners last year, as its market presence eroded under tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration, the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) said Wednesday. According to KITA, which analyzed trade data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the United States imported goods worth $113.4 billion from Korea from January to November 2025, down… Read more: Korea slips to 9th in US import rankings amid Trump tariffs - Why ‘Single’s Inferno’ keeps turning to Miss Korea contestantsA recurring keyword in the hit Netflix dating show “Single’s Inferno” is Miss Korea. From former cast members Yu Si-eun, Choi Seo-eun, and Jo Min-ji to Season 5’s Choi Mina Sue, Kim Go-eun, and Park Hee-sun, former Miss Korea contestants have been widely credited with bringing glamour and narrative drive to the series. On Feb. 13, show producers Kim Jae-won,… Read more: Why ‘Single’s Inferno’ keeps turning to Miss Korea contestants
- Come to AndongRecently, I heard that house prices in Seoul are soaring. The two most prominent features of Seoul as a megacity would be its people and tall apartment buildings. Many people still prefer to go to Seoul. Even in Andong, I notice that many families have extra houses either in Seoul or in Daegu. The phenomenon of flocking to cities is… Read more: Come to Andong
- Foreign holdings in Korean shares double amid KOSPI rallyForeign investors nearly doubled their Korean stock holdings to 1,327 trillion won ($916 billion) in 2025, compared to 673 trillion won the previous year, buoyed by a 75 percent surge in the benchmark KOSPI, data showed Sunday. Their share of total market capitalization rose to 30.8 percent, up from 27 percent, led mostly by U.S. investors. Artificial intelligence (AI)-related sectors,… Read more: Foreign holdings in Korean shares double amid KOSPI rally
- Coupang needs to resolve cybersecurity to prosperCoupang’s customer data breach has exposed numerous problems. 33.67 million customer records, including 148 million shipping addresses, were leaked. This represents a data breach affecting 65 percent of the country’s 52 million residents. Given the minors do not have credit cards and can’t join, this really represents almost every household in the country. This grave problem reveals the magnitude of… Read more: Coupang needs to resolve cybersecurity to prosper
Latest Entertainment from Korea
- LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings CollectionPhoto Credits: CHROMOSOME LE’V Illuminates 2026 with “Spotlight Soul” LE’V enters 2026 with a statement that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. His Season’s Greetings “Spotlight Soul” concept photos reveal a striking evolution — one that merges emotional depth with artistic clarity. The project, released as a collector’s visual experience, celebrates not just another year but LE’V’s firm grasp on identity, craft,… Read more: LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings Collection
- KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty CodesPhoto Credits: SPUR Dior Starship Entertainment A New Year, A New Iconic Pairing SPUR Magazine opens 2026 with a collaboration that feels both intimate and electric. The January 2026 Issue Pictorial Preview showcases KiiiKiii Leesol and Haum in a visual dialogue infused with Dior Addict’s luminous rebellion. Titled “Light Moves: The Addict State of Mind”, the spread captures the interplay of motion, reflection, and self-definition—a signal… Read more: KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty Codes
- Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & IdentityPhoto Credits: Hi-Hat Entertainment The Convergence of Vision and Identity The January 2026 Pictorial from ifeye × KITTO Taiwan marks a defining moment in East Asian creative media. Framed as both a celebration and an evolution, the collaboration bridges art direction, fashion narrative, and technological fluidity to capture a new generation’s pulse. More than a photoshoot, this issue acts as a visual manifesto—an exploration of… Read more: Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & Identity
- Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover StoryPhoto Credits: KLAP ENTERTAINMENT Kep1er’s Xiaoting Captures the Moment Kep1er’s Shen Xiaoting steps into 2026 as a muse of modern elegance, fronting the January 2026 Wonderland China cover with an aura that’s both futuristic and fiercely grounded. As one of the brightest stars of her generation, Xiaoting embodies the balance between aspiration and artistry that defines global pop’s next chapter. “Confidence is not just… Read more: Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover Story
- BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional PrecisionPhoto Credits: GQ Korea – Cartier – BigHit Music. – BTS V x Cartier: The Sound of Stillness and Strength For GQ Korea’s February 2026 issue, the cover unfolds like a cinematic confession. BTS’s V (Kim Taehyung)—known for his magnetic duality of mystery and warmth—joins forces with Cartier, the house synonymous with precision, artistry, and legacy. Together, they create a visual symphony that celebrates… Read more: BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional Precision
Learn People & History of Korea
- The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan CityAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Busan Busan, known as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded existence of Busan can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty, where it was referenced as a vital coastal settlement. Its strategic location along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula… Read more: The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan City
- The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political DynamicsIntroduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and culture. Geographically located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest part of the country, Pyongyang is situated within a strategic area that has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The city’s origins can be traced back to… Read more: The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics
- The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and BeyondAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has ancient roots that trace back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, specifically the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. Evidence suggests that Seoul was originally established as a settlement given its strategic geographical advantages. Nestled within the Han River basin,… Read more: The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond
- Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering more than mere entertainment. These games, which range from simple children’s pastimes to complex community activities, hold significant cultural significance and often serve as a means of preserving history and promoting social interaction. Rooted in centuries of tradition, these games… Read more: Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3
- Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune TellingIntroduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate based on their birth date and time. The term “Saju” translates to “four pillars” in English, referring to the four critical components derived from these time markers: year, month, day, and hour. This method holds significant cultural value within South… Read more: Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling
