South Korea April Exports Rise 3.7% Despite U.S. Decline

South Korea's exports rose 3.7% in April compared to the previous year, marking the third consecutive month of growth and surpassing market expectations. This growth was driven by strong demand for semiconductors and wireless communication devices, with chip exports surging 17.2% and smartphone shipments also rising sharply. Despite the overall export increase, shipments to the United States fell 6.8% amid President Trump's newly imposed tariffs, particularly impacting automobile exports. In contrast, exports to China and the European Union grew by 3.9% and 18.4% respectively, with the EU figure reaching a record high. Imports declined 2.7%, resulting in a trade surplus of $4.88 billion for South Korea. The country's performance highlights its resilience in global trade, even as new U.S. tariffs weigh on specific sectors.