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  • KOSPI Falls 1% Amid Rising U.S. Interest Rates and Oil Prices; KOSDAQ Drops Over 3%
    KOSPI Falls 1% Amid Rising U.S. Interest Rates and Oil Prices; KOSDAQ Drops Over 3% The KOSPI opened lower due to rising U.S. long-term interest rates, increasing international oil prices, and a weak performance in the New York stock market. Profit-taking from the previous day's surge of over 5% is also contributing to the decline, with foreign and institutional investors engaging in net selling. However, some large-cap stocks, such as SK Hynix and KB Financial, are showing gains, indicating sector differentiation.As of 9:27 a.m. on the 21st, the KOSPI is trading at 6,784.73, down 67.85 points (0.99%) from the previous trading day. The index started at 6,759.95, down 92.63 points (1.35%), but has slightly reduced its losses.Overnight, the New York stock market fell across the board due to a resurgence in U.S. long-term interest rates, a spike in international oil prices, and concerns over consumer slowdown following disappointing earnings from Walmart. On the New York Stock Exchange on the 20th (local time), the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.32%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell by 0.87% and 1.00%, respectively.The yield on U.S. 10-year Treasury bonds rose to 4.70%, while the 30-year yield reached 5.24%. Long-term rates, which had stabilized following news of an expanded buyback of long-term Treasury bonds by the U.S. Treasury, are now rising again, raising concerns about structural upward pressure on rates due to fiscal deficits and increased Treasury supply.International oil prices also increased amid heightened concerns over potential U.S. economic sanctions against Iran. Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose by 2.36% and 2.33%, respectively. The rise in oil prices is raising inflationary pressures, which could impact the monetary policy of the U.S. Federal Reserve.Concerns over a slowdown in U.S. consumer spending are also weighing on the market. Walmart's stock plummeted 9.15% after reporting a slowdown in same-store sales growth for the second quarter, amplifying fears of a consumer slowdown.However, semiconductor stocks have fared relatively well. Micron announced a large-scale investment plan in artificial intelligence, leading to a 4% increase in its stock, and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index is showing strength. In South Korea, SK Hynix is up 1.06%.In the securities market, individual investors are net buying 365.6 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors are net selling 304.5 billion won and 149.5 billion won, respectively.Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics (-0.09%), SK Square (-1.87%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-4.87%), Hyundai Motor (-1.20%), LG Energy Solution (-2.23%), Samsung Biologics (-1.33%), Samsung C&T (-0.80%), and Samsung Life Insurance (-1.01%) are all declining. Conversely, SK Hynix (1.06%) and KB Financial (0.56%) are on the rise.At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is trading at 809.09, down 31.80 points (3.78%) from the previous trading day. The index started at 824.05, down 16.84 points (2.00%), and has since widened its losses.In the KOSDAQ market, individual investors are net buying 239.8 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors are net selling 160.3 billion won and 75.8 billion won, respectively.Among the top market capitalization stocks, most are in decline, including Alteogen (-5.30%), EcoPro (-5.11%), EcoPro BM (-5.43%), Rainbow Robotics (-5.94%), JUSUNG Engineering (-2.09%), Wonik IPS (-4.04%), HLB (-2.63%), Rino Technology (-4.60%), IOTech (-2.29%), and ABL Bio (-6.85%).Market analysts are cautious about the potential for increased short-term volatility due to rising U.S. interest rates and oil prices, but they believe that the earnings outlook and low valuations in the domestic market will provide support against further declines.Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, stated, "Today, the domestic market is starting lower due to the impact of rising U.S. market rates and Walmart's poor earnings, despite the strength of the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index with companies like Micron. The market will likely see sector differentiation based on foreign investor sentiment."He added, "While macro uncertainties are high, the current earnings momentum of the KOSPI is reassuring. As of August 20, the consensus for KOSPI operating profit for 2026 and 2027 is 986 trillion won and 1,311 trillion won, respectively, showing no significant damage even after the pressures of rising rates and energy costs in August."Another analyst noted, "With a forward price-to-earnings ratio (PER) of only 5.5, the valuation pressure from interest rates is not significant. Considering the increasing likelihood of shareholder returns from Samsung Electronics following SK Hynix, the pressure for stock price adjustments due to macro uncertainties is likely to be limited."He concluded, "Even if additional market adjustments occur, a strategy of gradually buying large-cap stocks, including semiconductors, may be a better option."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 09:44:20
  • Jung Jin-hyuk Appointed as New Chairman of Korea Railroad Corporation
    Jung Jin-hyuk Appointed as New Chairman of Korea Railroad Corporation Jung Jin-hyuk, a professor at Yonsei University, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Korea Railroad Corporation, marking the end of a five-month leadership vacancy. According to industry sources on the 20th, Professor Jung has been designated as the 9th chairman of the Korea Railroad Corporation and is expected to officially begin his duties following a ceremony as early as next month. Jung earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from Yonsei University and obtained his Ph.D. in civil engineering with a focus on transportation planning from Pennsylvania State University. He was appointed as a professor in the Department of Urban Engineering at Chung-Ang University in 1997 and has been a professor at Yonsei University since 2007. He served as the president of the Korean Society of Transportation from 2023 to 2025. Jung has also engaged in various advisory roles in the fields of transportation and urban planning for the government and local municipalities. He has served on committees such as the Traffic Impact Assessment Review Committee of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Mobility Innovation Forum, and the National Transportation Commission, providing consultation on transportation and urban planning for cities like Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. The Korea Railroad Corporation is responsible for major national railroad projects, including the GTX project, railroad undergrounding, high-speed rail expansion, and the design and bidding of railroad construction. Given the recent surge in railroad safety issues, there is a growing call for leadership that combines project execution capabilities with safety management skills. With Jung's appointment, it is anticipated that decision-making regarding key railroad projects such as the GTX, railroad undergrounding, and high-speed rail expansion will accelerate. Meanwhile, the Korea Railroad Corporation announced on the 20th that it will solicit project managers for the development of approximately 201,716.8 square meters of idle railroad facilities in the Ganhyeon-Pandae section of Wonju, Gangwon Province, for 90 days starting from the 20th.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 09:44:10
  • Qualcomm Hires Sergio Buniac from Motorola to Lead Personal AI Business
    Qualcomm Hires Sergio Buniac from Motorola to Lead Personal AI Business Qualcomm has hired Sergio Buniac, who led Motorola's mobile business, to strengthen its strategy of expanding from smartphone-centric operations into personal AI devices, including PCs, wearables, and XR.On August 21, Qualcomm announced Buniac's appointment as Executive Vice President and head of the Mobile, Compute, and Personal AI Group at Qualcomm Technologies. He will assume his role on September 2, overseeing the next generation of AI devices, including smartphones, personal computing, smart wearables, and XR. He will report directly to Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon.Before joining Qualcomm, Buniac spent over 30 years at Motorola, where he held various roles in strategy, product management, sales, marketing, operations, and supply chain. Since 2018, he has served as the President of Motorola Devices, leading its global business. Recently, Motorola has expanded generative AI features in its smartphones and broadened its AI device offerings, making it one of Qualcomm's key customers.With Buniac's extensive experience in finished product operations, Qualcomm is expected to broaden the application of its Snapdragon platform. As AI capabilities extend beyond smartphones to PCs, wearables, and XR, the importance of chipset performance, product development, and collaboration with manufacturers is increasing.Amon praised Buniac as a business leader with over 30 years of experience in the mobile industry. He expressed confidence that Buniac's background in building global consumer device businesses from product design to commercialization will play a crucial role in expanding Snapdragon-based experiences in the era of agentic AI.This appointment comes as Qualcomm seeks to expand its business from a mobile chip focus to an AI device platform. How Buniac integrates his manufacturing perspective from Motorola with Qualcomm's platform business is expected to be a key factor in the future expansion of AI devices.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 09:44:10
  • Jongkundang Signs License Agreement with Kiora for Rare Retinal Disease Drug Development
    Jongkundang Signs License Agreement with Kiora for Rare Retinal Disease Drug Development Jongkundang has signed a license agreement with Kiora Pharmaceuticals, a U.S. company specializing in eye diseases, for the domestic development and commercialization of the candidate treatment 'KIO-301' for rare genetic retinal diseases.On August 21, Jongkundang announced that it has entered into a license agreement with Kiora for the domestic development and commercialization of the retinal disease drug candidate 'KIO-301.' Under this agreement, Jongkundang will be responsible for the clinical development, approval, and sales of KIO-301 in South Korea. Kiora will receive an upfront payment, milestone payments at various development stages, and royalties from domestic sales.The two companies plan to efficiently coordinate a single global Phase 3 clinical trial and explore ways to enhance patient access in South Korea. Kiora has evaluated this agreement as completing its major market network, which includes partnerships in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and China.KIO-301 is a low-molecular-weight 'molecular photoswitch' candidate treatment primarily being developed for retinitis pigmentosa (RP). RP is a rare genetic disease characterized by the gradual deterioration of photoreceptors in the retina, leading to narrowed vision and decreased eyesight. It is estimated that there are over 10,000 patients in South Korea.Unlike existing RP treatments that focus on specific gene mutations, KIO-301 is designed to work regardless of the type of gene mutation. It employs a new mechanism that restores the 'light-sensing function' to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) that remain in the retina after photoreceptor degeneration, thereby recovering visual signal transmission.Kiora is also pursuing a strategy to expand indications for other genetic retinal diseases, such as choroideremia and Stargardt disease, in addition to RP.Kim Young-joo, CEO of Jongkundang, stated, "KIO-301 is a new drug candidate with a mechanism that is not limited to specific gene mutations. We will leverage Jongkundang's accumulated expertise in the ophthalmology field and our clinical and regulatory capabilities to collaborate with Kiora and global partners for domestic development."Brian M. Strem, CEO of Kiora, said, "By collaborating with Jongkundang, we aim to efficiently advance the global Phase 3 trial of KIO-301 and provide new treatment possibilities for RP patients in South Korea."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 09:44:00
  • LG Home Robot Cloy Wins Three Design Awards at IDEA 2026
    LG Home Robot 'Cloy' Wins Three Design Awards at IDEA 2026 LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics achieved significant recognition at the IDEA 2026, one of the world's top design awards. Notably, LG's home robot, 'Cloy,' won a finalist award at IDEA, adding to its accolades from the Red Dot and iF Design Awards, making it a triple award winner.On August 21, LG announced that it received a total of 17 awards at IDEA 2026, including five bronze and 12 finalist awards. This follows a total of 55 awards from the Red Dot and iF Design Awards earlier this year, marking a clean sweep of the three major global design awards.Cloy is a home robot that responds to human voice and gestures, interacting with various expressions to assist users. It received a finalist award at IDEA and has also been recognized at the Red Dot and iF awards, solidifying its status among the top design accolades.LG emphasized that its design competitiveness extends beyond product appearance to include harmony with living spaces and user experience. Among the IDEA bronze winners were the 9mm thick wireless wallpaper TV, 'LG Signature OLED W,' and the air-source heat pump, 'LG Therma V.' Other award-winning products included the LG Smart Monitor Swing and LG Puricare Aeromini.Additionally, the LG Puricare System air purifier and LG Gram Pro, along with the Xboom Mini & Stage 501, received recognition at IDEA, Red Dot, and iF awards. This highlights LG's commitment to enhancing design competitiveness not only in products but also in packaging and brand experience.Samsung Electronics received a total of 45 awards at IDEA 2026, including one newly established Impact Award, nine bronze awards, and 35 finalist awards. Samsung's accessibility design for home appliances earned the Impact Award, featuring voice guidance, easy-use modes, and automatic door opening tailored to individual user needs.Samsung also secured 12 awards at the Red Dot Design Awards, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra's privacy display winning the top honor, 'Best of the Best.' The company is expanding its design focus to incorporate accessibility, personalization, and AI.The achievements of both companies illustrate a shift in the domestic electronics industry's design competition, moving beyond mere product aesthetics. Samsung is integrating user-centric features like accessibility and privacy into its designs, while LG is enhancing its design approach across its product range, including robots, TVs, and home appliances, with a focus on space and user experience.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 09:36:00
  • Goeje City Faces Flood Damage as Government Mobilizes Recovery Efforts
    Goeje City Faces Flood Damage as Government Mobilizes Recovery Efforts Goeje City in South Gyeongsang Province has experienced severe flooding, river overflow, and damage to water and power facilities due to record rainfall. The government is focusing on emergency recovery and preventing future incidents.The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment reported that First Vice Minister Kim Han-seung visited Goeje City on August 21 to inspect the damage at rivers, public sewage treatment facilities, and broken water pipes.From August 15 to 19, Goeje City received a total of 968.1 mm of rain. On August 17 alone, 509.9 mm fell within six hours, with 124.5 mm in just one hour.This led to flooding and embankment failures at 27 locations across 11 rivers, including the Gohyeon Stream. The public sewage treatment facility in Goeje was temporarily shut down due to flooding, and water supply facilities also suffered damage from broken pipes and inundated pumping stations.Power outages occurred due to fallen trees and landslides damaging transmission and distribution facilities. Affected areas included 4,541 households across 11 regions. However, the Ministry of Climate and Korea Electric Power Corporation quickly mobilized to restore power within two days of the outages.The ministry utilized a 'Comprehensive Water Disaster Situation Room' to monitor flood conditions and identify areas likely to experience power outages, allowing for preemptive deployment of recovery personnel and equipment.The public sewage treatment facility in Goeje remains non-operational due to flooding, with incoming wastewater undergoing temporary treatment before being released. Efforts are underway to stabilize microorganisms to resume normal operations.In the Haksan-ri area of Dundeok-myeon, where road damage has led to broken water pipes, some water supply was interrupted. The ministry provided emergency water trucks and bottled water, and water supply has since resumed.While power and water supply have mostly returned to normal, the embankments and sewage treatment facilities require structural improvements to prevent future incidents. The ministry's inspection focused on both short-term recovery of essential services and long-term reinforcement of disaster prevention facilities.Vice Minister Kim visited the Gohyeon and Dundeok streams to assess the damage and received recovery plans from Goeje City officials. He urged local governments to expedite emergency recovery efforts to prevent further damage from additional rainfall and to ensure that permanent recovery measures are implemented without delay.“We will do our utmost to help residents return to their daily lives as soon as possible,” Vice Minister Kim said, adding that all available resources will be utilized to restore essential facilities such as rivers, water supply, and power.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 09:32:00
  • Law Firm Lee & Ko Recognized as Top Cybersecurity and Data Law Firm in Asia
    Law Firm Lee & Ko Recognized as Top Cybersecurity and Data Law Firm in Asia Law firm Lee & Ko, led by Managing Partner Kim Sang-gon, announced on August 21 that it has been named one of the 'ALB Asia Top Cybersecurity & Data Law Firms 2026' by Asian Legal Business.The newly established Cybersecurity & Data category reflects the growing demand for legal services related to cybersecurity and data protection amid accelerated digital transformation. Lee & Ko's selection highlights its expertise and capabilities in the data protection and cybersecurity (DPC) field on an international scale.Lee & Ko's Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) and DPC group, headed by attorney Ko Hwang-gyeong, specializes in broadcasting, telecommunications, IT, personal data, and information protection. The group provides tailored legal services that meet client needs, including advice on transactions and regulations, responses to regulatory investigations and sanctions, and litigation.Notably, the TMT & DPC group recently achieved a complete victory in a large-scale damages lawsuit filed by users of 5G mobile services against the three major domestic telecommunications companies.Additionally, the firm successfully represented SK Telecom in a lawsuit where users sought to halt the processing of their personal data in pseudonymous form, winning a ruling from the Supreme Court. In a significant incident involving the largest data breach in the history of a telecommunications company, Lee & Ko represented SK Telecom in responding to investigations and sanctions from the Personal Information Protection Commission, achieving the maximum possible reduction in fines under the law.Asian Legal Business (ALB), a legal media outlet under Thomson Reuters, evaluates major law firms and attorneys in the Asia-Pacific region based on their expertise, performance, and responsiveness to select outstanding firms in the DPC field.Founded in 1977, Lee & Ko is one of South Korea's leading law firms, with over 750 professionals. The firm offers a wide range of legal services, including corporate advisory, litigation, finance, intellectual property, and criminal disputes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 09:24:00
  • Allegations of Military Secrets Leak Surround LIG Defense & Aerospaces Fleet Air Defense Missile-II
    Allegations of Military Secrets Leak Surround LIG Defense & Aerospace's Fleet Air Defense Missile-II Allegations of a military secrets leak are spreading around LIG Defense & Aerospace.Recently, a post titled 'General Information Related to the Development of the Fleet Air Defense Missile-II' appeared on an online community.The post included materials and explanations related to the development of domestic vessels and the Fleet Air Defense Missile.Notably, the author of the post introduced himself in the comments as having served five years in the navy and two and a half years on land before being discharged, and currently works in project management in the relevant industry.He claimed that 'the basic design is already complete, and most of the content is finalized,' stating that the post was based on documents such as the 'KDDX Vessel Lifecycle Management Plan,' 'Vessel Construction Specification,' 'Vessel Construction Guidelines,' and 'Vessel Equipment Specifications.'As the post spread, discussions also erupted on the anonymous workplace community Blind.A user claiming to work at the Defense Science Research Institute commented, 'It seems like official project materials, but can LIG just take out all the files if they want?' A LIG Defense & Aerospace employee responded, 'The photos seem to have been picked up from the internet,' while also suggesting that the author had 'spilled all the information out of curiosity.'Other users reacted with comments like, 'This is just another case of corruption and leaks,' 'This is insane,' 'Shouldn't we identify the person who posted this?' and 'Did they really think it wouldn't be a problem to capture and post that information one by one?'Another user, also claiming to work at the Defense Science Research Institute, questioned, 'Is this how it goes from the first project led by the company?'General users also responded with mockery.The majority of users noted, 'It seems like military enthusiasts get riled up and leak secrets, which is a global norm,' and pointed out that 'the overwhelming interest of military enthusiasts combined with the desire of insiders to showcase their expertise might be at play.'The crux of the controversy is whether the materials mentioned in the post constitute actual military secrets or protected information related to defense projects.If the materials are merely reprocessed information that is publicly available online, the nature of the situation may differ from a military secrets leak. Conversely, if it is confirmed that the materials include undisclosed project data or information requiring military protection, the gravity of the matter could significantly change.It is particularly important to verify whether the author is indeed an industry insider, how the materials used in the post were obtained, and whether the documents in question are prohibited from being taken outside.Currently, it is difficult to make definitive conclusions based solely on publicly verified online claims.There is also growing interest in how this controversy might affect stock prices.LIG Defense & Aerospace (079550) has recently experienced significant stock price volatility. On August 19, the closing price was 796,000 won, up 1,000 won or 0.13% from the previous trading day. The 52-week high is 1,118,000 won, while the low is 360,000 won, indicating considerable fluctuation.Recent stock trends show that the price, which had fallen to the 600,000 won range at the end of July, surged in August, fluctuating around the 800,000 won mark. On August 4, it reached 801,000 won, on August 6 it was 702,000 won, on August 11 it was 760,000 won, and on August 14 it hit 815,000 won, with significant daily fluctuations.Notably, on August 20, institutions were reported to have net sold approximately 17.37 billion won worth of LIG Defense & Aerospace shares.If it is confirmed that there has been an actual leak of military secrets, concerns could extend beyond mere online controversy to issues of security management, project credibility, and future participation in defense projects, potentially negatively impacting stock prices.Conversely, if the materials identified as leaked are confirmed to be already public information or not classified as military secrets, the impact on stock prices may be limited to a temporary incident.Meanwhile, LIG Defense & Aerospace stated regarding the matter, 'The source of the leak and the route of the information have not been confirmed at all, and the fragmented claims in the community may not reflect actual facts.'They added, 'The actual affiliation and identity of the post's author have not been verified, and the original post has also been made private.' 2026-08-21 09:20:10
  • Kakao to Hold Town Hall Meeting Today Amid Discussions on Corporate Restructuring
    Kakao to Hold Town Hall Meeting Today Amid Discussions on Corporate Restructuring Kakao is set to hold a town hall meeting for its employees on August 21 to discuss potential corporate restructuring. Among the topics being considered is the separation of KakaoTalk into a standalone entity.According to the information technology (IT) industry, Kakao notified employees the previous evening about the town hall meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. today. The specific agenda has not been disclosed, and details shared during the meeting will only be communicated to attendees and through the company’s internal network.Industry insiders suggest that announcements regarding Kakao's corporate governance restructuring may be made during the town hall. In particular, discussions are reportedly focused on the possibility of spinning off KakaoTalk into a separate corporation. However, Kakao has not officially confirmed any specific plans for the separation or the agenda for the town hall.The Kakao labor union has also mentioned the likelihood of an announcement regarding corporate restructuring. In a notice to its members, the union stated, “We expect there will be an announcement regarding Kakao’s corporate restructuring,” adding that the management has not responded to requests for official confirmation, prompting the union to prepare responses for various scenarios.Additionally, discussions about corporate restructuring have been circulating in the company’s anonymous internal community. Some Kakao employees have posted about potential plans to separate KakaoTalk and TalkBiz or to spin off the artificial intelligence (AI) business into a separate entity.However, these discussions have not been officially confirmed by the company. The actual proposals for restructuring that Kakao presents during the town hall could lead to significant changes in its organizational and business structure.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-21 09:20:10
  • August Exports Surge 56%, Driven by Record Semiconductor Sales
    August Exports Surge 56%, Driven by Record Semiconductor Sales South Korea's exports surged more than 50% year-on-year by mid-August, reaching the highest level for the month on record. This increase was largely driven by a record rise in semiconductor exports, along with gains in petroleum products and computer peripherals.The Korea Customs Service reported on August 21 that the export value for the period from August 1 to 20 was $55.27 billion, a 56.0% increase compared to the same period last year. This figure marks the highest ever recorded for this timeframe. Cumulatively, the annual export total reached $650.27 billion, up 51.0% from the previous year.Considering the number of working days, the average daily export value was $3.94 billion. Although the number of working days decreased by 0.5 days to 14.0 days compared to last year, the daily exports surged by 61.5% year-on-year.By mid-August, exports were led by semiconductors and computer peripherals. Semiconductor exports alone skyrocketed by 198.8% to $26.03 billion, accounting for 67.2% of total exports, an increase of 22.5 percentage points from the previous year.Increased prices due to high oil costs also contributed to a 56.4% rise in petroleum product exports. Other sectors showing growth included steel products (9.7%), computer peripherals (242.1%), and wireless communication devices (4.5%).Conversely, passenger car exports fell by 45.1% to $1.04 billion. Exports of ships (-60.5%), automotive parts (-19.9%), and home appliances (-3.4%) also experienced declines.By country, exports to China (118.6%), the United States (59.4%), Vietnam (67.4%), Hong Kong (245.5%), and Taiwan (23.5%) increased. However, exports to the European Union (EU) (-3.2%) and Singapore (-23.4%) decreased. The top three countries—China, the United States, and Vietnam—accounted for 52.6% of total exports.Imports rose by 19.0% to $41.23 billion. The cumulative annual import total, including figures from the previous month, increased by 18.3% to $468.54 billion. Semiconductor imports rose by 59.4% to $7.47 billion, while imports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment surged by 89.3% to $1.87 billion.Due to rising international oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict, crude oil imports also increased, totaling $5.44 billion, a 17.0% rise from last year. Coal imports rose by 52.5% to $1.16 billion, while gas imports fell by 17.1% to $1.72 billion. Overall, energy imports, including crude oil, gas, and coal, increased by 11.1% year-on-year.By country, imports from China (27.9%), the United States (23.5%), the EU (17.4%), Japan (34.1%), and Taiwan (46.2%) increased, while imports from Saudi Arabia decreased by 22.2%.With exports exceeding imports, the trade balance recorded a surplus of $13.98 billion. The cumulative annual trade surplus now stands at $181.74 billion. 2026-08-21 09:20:10