Seoul, February 08 (QNA) - South Korea's exports of auto parts to the United States fell in 2025 for the first time in five years, as domestic automakers expanded local sourcing in the US amid tariff measures.

Yonhap News Agency reported that shipments of automotive parts to the US declined 6.7% from a year earlier to $7.67 billion in 2025, according to data compiled by the Korea Auto Industries Cooperative Association. This marks the first annual fall since 2020, when exports fell 11.5%.

Exports to the US, from South Korea's largest overseas market had since risen steadily in recent years, increasing from $6.91 billion in 2021 to $8.03 billion in 2022, $8.08 billion in 2023 and $8.22 billion in 2024.

The association said proposed 25% tariffs on auto imports under the Donald Trump administration dealt a serious blow to South Korea's automotive exports and the broader industry.

Industry analysts said the higher tariffs prompted automakers, including Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp., to expand local parts procurement in the US. (QNA)