What is the value of US trade with South Korea?
Updated Apr. 29, 2026Refreshed annually
$143.4 billion in imports and $97.9 billion in exports in 2025. That means that the US imported $45.5 billion more from South Korea than we exported to it. Benefits of trade can include higher wages and job growth, a wider variety of products available at lower prices, increased productivity, and more efficient resource allocation.
$143B
Value of imports from South Korea to the US (2025)
$97.9B
Value of exports from the US to South Korea (2025)
Exports are goods and services the US sells to other countries. Imports are goods and services the US buys from other countries. Combining the value of imports and exports shows us how much trade happens between the US and other countries.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) provides data for 71 of the US' trading partners (though not necessarily the top 71 trading partners). The partners they track accounted for 94.2% of total trade with the US in 2025.
How high is South Korea ranked as a US trade partner?
BEA data ranks South Korea as the US’ 11th top trading partner: In 2025, the US traded $241.2 billion in goods and services with South Korea. Countries with similar trade values include India ($241.5B) and Vietnam ($215.3B).
In 2025, the US traded $241.2 billion in goods and services with South Korea.
Total trade value (imports + exports) with the US (2025), by select countries
Ask the data
Beta
We use AI to summarize the data, charts, and analysis we have on USAFacts
Another way to look at international trade is through trade balance. A nation that imports more than it exports, has a trade deficit. One that exports more than it imports has a trade surplus. Neither is inherently good or bad; trade balance is just a metric that shows the relationship between imports and exports.
What is the trade balance with South Korea?
The US has had a trade deficit with South Korea every year from 1999 through 2025. The 2025 deficit was $45.48 billion, a decrease from 2024's deficit of $54.66 billion.
The trade deficit with South Korea decreased to $45.5B in 2025.
Annual trade balance with South Korea, not adjusted for inflation
What does the US import from South Korea?
In 2025, 88.4% of imports from South Korea to the US were goods. The largest category was capital goods (tools used for the production process, like machinery and equipment), accounting for $43.9 billion. The top three imports were capital goods, automotive vehicles and parts, and industrial supplies and materials (items used up in the production process, like oil, chemicals, and plastic). These categories accounted for $109.8 billion of total imports.
The other 11.6% were services, with transport being the largest service category. Transport (transactions associated with moving people and property from one location to another, like passenger flights and ocean cargo shipping) accounted for $6.2 billion.
Capital goods made up 30.6% of US imports from South Korea in 2025.
US imports from South Korea by category (2025)
What does the US export to South Korea?
In 2025, more US exports to South Korea were goods — 71.4%. The largest export was industrial supplies and materials, which accounted for a value of $30.2 billion. The top three exports were industrial supplies and materials, capital goods, and food, feeds, and beverages. These categories accounted for $60.4 billion of exports to South Korea.
The other 28.6% were services, with travel being the largest service category. Travel (money entering the US from foreign visitors on expenses like lodging, meals, transportation, and entertainment) accounted for $7.23 billion.
Industrial supplies and materials made up 30.9% of US exports to South Korea in 2025.
US exports to South Korea by category (2025)
Value of imports and exports, by category (2025)
| 1. | Capital goods | $43.9 billion |
| 2. | Automotive vehicles and parts | $42.6 billion |
| 3. | Industrial supplies and materials | $23.4 billion |
| 4. | Consumer goods | $12.5 billion |
| 5. | Transport | $6.2 billion |
| 6. | Government goods and services | $2.67 billion |
| 7. | Other merchandise | $2.52 billion |
| 8. | Travel | $2.29 billion |
| 9. | Food, feeds, and beverages | $1.84 billion |
| 10. | Business services | $1.76 billion |
Keep exploring
Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
