In the first quarter of this year, Korea’s exports to the United States surpassed those to China for the first time since the second quarter of 2003.Exports to the U.S. are expected to remain strong for the foreseeable future, driven by foreign direct investment (FDI) in the manufacturing industries
The Biden administration is likely to grant Hanwha Q CELLS’ request to impose tariffs on bifacial solar panels imported into the United States, according to sources cited by Reuters on April 17. On Feb. 23, Hanwha Q CELLS formally petitioned the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to revoke th
With U.S. President Joe Biden directing the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to triple tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, attention is turning to impacts the action will have on Korea’s steel industry.According to the Korean government and the Korean steel industry on April 17, the
Hybrid cars overtook gasoline cars for the first time in the imported car market in Korea in the first quarter of this year.According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association, hybrid vehicles accounted for 47.5 percent (25,908 units) of newly registered imported cars from January
On the night of April 13 (local time), Iran launched retaliatory attacks against Israel, employing drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. This action is expected to lead to an escalation in international oil prices. In addition, the exchange rate of the Korean won against the U.S. dollar r
Domestic sales and exports of electric vehicles plummeted in the first quarter of 2024, while sales of hybrid vehicles ballooned. The analysis is that hybrid vehicles, which are more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, are becoming a substitute as electric vehicles have fallen into a chasm
In response to China’s aggressive dumping tactics, experts are advising that now is the time to refine three traditional measures: anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, and safeguards. There is also a growing argument for bolstering barriers through measures such as limiting tax-exempt limits
Recent opinion polls suggest that former President Donald Trump is leading in the race in swing states among potential candidates for the upcoming November U.S. presidential election, raising concerns about trade pressure from the United States. During his tenure, former President Trump considered t
The rapid increase in direct overseas purchases through Chinese e-commerce companies such as AliExpress, Temu, and Shein has led to discussions about alternative measures to mitigate the side effects. However, it has been confirmed that the proposal to tax small imported goods is closely linked to t
A high-power (120kV, 60kW) electron-beam welding system has been developed for the first time in the country, paving the way to the domestic production of a local vacuum high-power electron-beam welding system, the key equipment for the welding of small modular reactors (SMRs).For the first time in
India, the world’s third-largest automobile market, is expected to emerge as an electric vehicle battleground after the United States and Europe. This is because the Indian government, which has been sticking to high tariff barriers, has launched a drastic tariff reduction policy to attract global e
Korea’s duty exemption threshold for cross-border shopping is set at US$150 per day. This limit is now on the table. It is blamed on the fact that Chinese e-commerce companies such as AliExpress, Temu, and Shein selling ultra-low-priced goods can quickly expand their presences in the Korean market t
The U.S. Congress began to keep Hyundai and Kia in check as the two Korean automakers continue to enjoy the growth of their electric vehicle sales in the U.S. market. The U.S. Congress made a thing of their business strategy of discounting subsidized electric vehicles through a lease car exception u
After the Korean government has announced a strategy to secure 33 key minerals used in high-tech industries, including lithium and graphite, by reducing its dependence on China to 50 percent by 2030, Korea’s dependence on China for some key items began to shrink in 2023.Korea’s lithium hydroxide imp
GM's Korean Operations sold 30,630 vehicles in February. Sales were up 16.9% compared to the same month last year.Overseas sales of GM's Korean Operations reached 28,643 units in February, up 14.2% - the 23rd consecutive month of year-over-year growth. The Chevrolet Trax Crossover (along with its de
The trend of improved terms of trade in South Korea has continued for the eighth consecutive month. This is attributed to the slowdown in the decline of export prices, which has resulted in import prices decreasing more significantly than export prices.Exports of semiconductors, the largest export i
Korea’s leading chicken brand BHC Chicken is embroiled in controversy for replacing its boneless chicken menu with cheap Brazilian chicken and at the same time raising its price.BHC Chicken switched its source of boneless chicken to Brazil in May 2023, according to industry sources on Feb. 22. Howev
Executives and experts from domestic e-commerce companies such as Coupang are collaborating to develop strategies in response to the aggressive expansion efforts of Chinese e-commerce platforms including AliExpress and Temu.According to industry sources on Feb. 14, the Ministry of Trade, Industry an
News about BYD’s entry into South Korea has drawn attention to changes in the share of the South Korean electric vehicle market dominated by Hyundai Motor. BYD is a Chinese electric vehicle maker. Experts predict that BYD’s price competitiveness will play a big role in determining its success in the
Korean carmakers and car importers are in a flurry of activity as the Korean Ministry of Environment laid out a plan on Feb. 6 to change subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs) in 2024. According to the revised plan, Hyundai and Kia will remain at the same level, while mid-sized Korean-based carmakers