Supply Chain Research

South Korean exports climbed 13% in May, but were outpaced by an 18% surge in imports which beat economists’ expectations. The trade surplus therefore fell to its lowest for the month of May since 2014. Exports to the U.S. dropped 8% on a year earlier. As a result the trade surplus vs. the U.S. on a 12 month trailing total is now 31% below its peak and the lowest since June 2013. That is an important datapoint with the U.S. reviewing the KORUS trade deal, and comes amid concerns expressed by President Donald Trump about the increase in the South Korean surplus. There may be a slowing in ...