Export share falls to lowest level since 1988 as Washington weighs narrowing metals tariff enforcement

South Korea fell to ninth place among U.S. import partners in 2025 as President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs weighed on key exports, while Washington signaled it may adjust how steel and aluminum duties are enforced.

U.S. imports from South Korea totaled $113.4 billion from January to November last year, down 5.9% from a year earlier and accounting for 3.6% of total imports, according to the Korea International Trade Association. The share marked the country’s lowest ranking since the association began compiling data in 1988. Taiwan rose to fourth place, benefiting from strong semiconductor exports that have been largely insulated from broad metals tariffs. Meanwhile, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the administration could adjust how certain steel and aluminum tariffs are applied for compliance purposes, though the underlying 50% duties would remain in place.

South Korea fell to ninth place among U.S. import partners in 2025 as President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs weighed on key exports, while Washington signaled it may adjust how steel and aluminum duties are enforced.

U.S. imports from South Korea totaled $113.4 billion from January to November last year, down 5.9% from a year earlier and accounting for 3.6% of total imports, according to the Korea International Trade Association. The share marked the country’s lowest ranking since the association began compiling data in 1988. Taiwan rose to fourth place, benefiting from strong semiconductor exports that have been largely insulated from broad metals tariffs. Meanwhile, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the administration could adjust how certain steel and aluminum tariffs are applied for compliance purposes, though the underlying 50% duties would remain in place.

Get your
KoreaPro
subscription today!

Unlock article access by becoming a KOREA PRO member today!

Unlock your access
to all our features.

Standard Annual plan includes:

• Receive full archive access, full suite of newsletter products

• Month in Review via email and the KOREA PRO website

• Exclusive invites and priority access to member events

• One year of access to NK News and NK News podcast

There are three plans available:
Lite, Standard and
Premium.

Explore which would be
the best one for you.

Explore membership options

© Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved.
No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for
commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk
Group.