Overview
- Outbound shipments rose 33.9% from a year earlier to $65.85 billion, marking the first January to top $60 billion.
- Semiconductor exports jumped 102.7% to about $20.5 billion on strong AI-server demand and higher memory prices, the second-highest monthly chip total on record.
- Imports increased 11.7% to $57.1 billion, leaving a trade surplus of $8.74 billion and extending the surplus streak to a 12th month.
- Sales to China climbed 46.7% to $13.51 billion and to the United States 29.5% to $12.02 billion, though U.S.-bound autos and machinery fell 13% and 34% under higher tariffs.
- Auto exports rose 21.7% to $6.07 billion as broader categories posted gains, with more working days boosting totals and analysts expecting chip-led momentum to persist near term.