S. Korea’s exports stall as US tariffs sap demand

Spreading ripples: Kia vehicles at the Pyeongtaek port in South Korea. The country’s automakers shipped nearly half of their vehicle exports to the United States last year. — Reuters

SEOUL: South Korea’s export growth stalled in April in a worrisome sign for the trade-driven economy as officials scramble to cope with Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff campaign. 

The value of shipments adjusted for working-day differences slipped 0.7% from a year earlier, according to data released yesterday by the customs office, in a result that gives a closer indication of the trend than the overall monthly figure.