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Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
South Korea’s exports rebounded in June, rising 4.3% year-over-year to $59.80 billion, driven by solid global demand for semiconductors and electric vehicles, according to trade data released Tuesday. The uptick follows a 1.3% drop in May, marking the first export increase in two months. However, the figure came in slightly below economists’ expectations of a 4.7% rise, as shipments to key partners—the U.S. and China—remained subdued amid ongoing tariff concerns.
Exports to the United States declined for a third consecutive month, falling 0.5%, while shipments to China dropped 2.7%—both hit by uncertainty over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. In contrast, exports to the European Union surged 14.7%, and Southeast Asia saw a 2.1% increase, reflecting a broader diversification in South Korea’s trade strategy.
Semiconductor exports—South Korea’s largest export category—rose 11.6% in June, extending their recovery for a fourth straight month, though at a slower pace. Auto exports increased 2.3%, with robust electric vehicle demand in Europe offsetting weaker U.S. sales. Imports climbed 3.3% to $50.72 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $9.08 billion, the largest since September 2018.
Industry and Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun noted that volatility surrounding U.S. tariffs and global economic uncertainty is expected to persist through the second half of the year. Seoul is pushing to extend a 90-day U.S. tariff freeze, set to expire next week, as negotiations continue with Washington.
As Asia’s fourth-largest economy and a global trade bellwether, South Korea’s export performance remains closely watched, especially amid geopolitical tensions and shifting global supply chains. The June rebound signals resilience in key sectors but highlights ongoing vulnerabilities tied to the U.S.-China trade landscape.
