South Korea's Early December Trade Points to Softening Demand

South Korea’s trade data for early December add to evidence that the U.S.-China trade war and softening economic growth are taking a toll on global demand.

Growth in both exports and imports slowed sharply during the first 20 days of December, preliminary data showed, with shipments to China, South Korea’s largest trading partner, falling 14 percent, a second-straight monthly drop. Semiconductor exports fell 9.8 percent.