Semiconductor exports plummeted Lithium battery first deficit Last year's 60% trade deficit in May

Semiconductor exports plummeted Lithium battery first deficit Last year's 60% trade deficit in May

Exports of semiconductors plunged 35.5% on May 20 compared to a year ago, and investments were concentrated, and batteries, whose exports increased, recorded their first trade deficit, accounting for 60% of last year's trade deficit, solidifying the high price system.
By May 20, exports were down 16% from a year earlier, a growing percentage from -14.2% in April and -13.6% in March.
The decrease in imports was 15.3% down until May 20, -13.3% in April, and -6.4% in March. A decrease of 16.1% compared to the same period last year, export-led semiconductors decreased by 35.5% from a year ago, and exports of petroleum products and precision equipment decreased by 33% and 20.9%, respectively, appearing on the 22nd. The trade balance decreased by 15.3%, recording a deficit of $4.3 billion. The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) exports and imports statistics show that from January to April, lithium-ion storage battery exports amounted to $2.5191 billion and imports amounted to $2.978 billion, $476.08 million. It's a deficit.
In terms of lithium-ion storage battery imports from January to April, the dependence on imports from China is about 95%, and it seems that the increase in Chinese production by Korean companies is also linked to the increase in imports.
Year-over-year cumulative exports were $233.4 billion and imports were $262.9 billion, a 13.5% decrease in exports and a 6.6% decrease in imports compared to the same period last year.
Exports to China fell 26.5% year-on-year in April and fell 23.4% through May 20.
The decline in exports was led by China (-23.4%), with most exports to major countries such as the US (-2.0%), European Union (-1.1%), Vietnam (-15.7%), and Japan (-13.9%) falling. . Imports increased only in the European Union (5.4%) and Malaysia (34.5%), and decreased in China (-15.7%), the United States (-17.7%), and Australia (-33.4%). Machinery (17.4%) and passenger vehicles (1.4%) increased. Crude oil (-21.2%), semiconductors (-15.4%), gas (-14.3%), etc. decreased. The price index of electricity, gas and other fuels in the first quarter of this year was 135.49, compared to the first quarter of last year, by 30.5%. % increased.
According to the National Statistical Portal of the National Statistical Office, the electricity price price index was 136.48, up 29.5% from the same period last year, the highest ever since statistics were compiled in 1975.
In particular, the city gas price index rose 36.2% year-on-year to 129.00, playing a leading role in the high price system despite the decrease in imports.

Japan's trade deficit, which was 432.4 billion yen (4.2 trillion won) in April, was cut in half compared to the same month last year, and exports increased.

Japan's Ministry of Finance announced on the 18th that the trade deficit for April was 432.4 billion yen, and the trade deficit for April last year was 839.2 billion yen.

Yomiuri reported on the 18th that Japan's trade deficit had been 21 months in a row, but the amount of imports had decreased for the first time in 27 months due to falling raw material prices and reduced crude oil imports, narrowing the deficit compared to the same month last year.

Japan's trade recorded 8,720.8 billion yen in imports in April, down 2.3% from the same month last year, and exports increased by 2.6% to 8,288.4 billion yen.

The increase in Japan's exports came from automobiles and ships, while the decrease in imports differed greatly from Korea's due to a drop in raw material prices and a decrease in crude oil imports.

Deputy Prime Minister Choo Kyung-ho said in an answer to the National Assembly Finance and Economy Committee on the 22nd, "The trade balance deficit was the smallest in April, but it will not be good in May due to the base effect of last year." You will be able to see a completely different external performance.”