South Korea’s exports experienced a notable decline in May, indicating the growing economic pressure faced by this trade-reliant nation as global demand weakens and uncertainty surrounding US tariffs escalates. According to customs office data released on Sunday, exports contracted by 1.3% compared to May last year, defying economist predictions of a steeper drop, while imports plummeted 5.3%, leading to a widened trade surplus of $6.9 billion. President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs has been a key factor in this decline, with the US implementing hefty levies on Korean goods, including those from Samsung Electronics Co. Despite temporary relief from reduced tariffs, the full impact is yet to be felt.