Group 1 - The U.S. is expanding the range of products exempt from reciprocal tariffs, particularly in aerospace and pharmaceuticals, while most general plastics and chemical products still incur these tariffs [1][2] - The reciprocal tariff rates range from 10% to 40%, and the U.S. has recently added more food and fertilizer imports to the exemption list due to domestic supply issues [1][2] - The exemption list includes various categories such as minerals, food, fertilizers, crude oil, refined products, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductor materials [1] Group 2 - The largest tariff exemptions come from imports from Canada and Mexico under the USMCA, with additional exemptions provided through various trade agreements [2] - The impact of tariff exemptions on the chemical industry is minimal, as most chemical products are excluded from the exemption lists, but key minerals that are exempt may influence the chemical market indirectly [2][3] - Limited chemical raw materials qualify for exemptions, and many essential chemicals like benzene and toluene still face tariffs despite domestic shortages [3] Group 3 - The reciprocal tariff policy is currently facing legal challenges, which may lead to a reevaluation of the tariff structure in the future [3] - The established exemption lists and trade agreements provide insights into the potential direction of U.S. trade policy [3]

Core Insights - The July import price index in South Korea rose to 134.87, marking a 0.9% month-on-month increase, ending a five-month decline since February [1] - The rise in import prices was influenced by increases in international oil prices and the Korean won's exchange rate against the US dollar [1] - The July export price index also increased by 1.0% to 128.19, ending a four-month downward trend [1] Import Price Details - Raw material prices increased by 1.5%, while intermediate goods, capital goods, and consumer goods rose by 0.6%, 0.5%, and 0.5% respectively [1] - Notable price increases were observed in methyl ethyl ketone, precious metal refining products, flash memory chips, and secondary batteries [1] - The exchange rate of the Korean won against the US dollar rose by 0.6%, and the average price of Dubai crude oil increased by 2.3% [1] Export Price Details - Agricultural, forestry, and fishery products saw a price increase of 4.2%, while mining products rose by 1.0% [1] - Significant price increases were noted in computers, electronics, optical instruments, coal, and petroleum products, with frozen seafood, diesel, and DRAM also showing notable rises [1] Trade Indices - In dollar terms, the July import quantity index and value index increased by 7.8% and 1.8% year-on-year, respectively [1] - The export quantity index and value index rose by 8.2% and 4.3% year-on-year, respectively [1] - The net commodity trading conditions index increased by 2.1% year-on-year, marking 25 consecutive months of growth, attributed to a larger decline in import prices compared to export prices [1] - The income trading conditions index rose by 10.5% year-on-year, benefiting from the increases in net commodity trading conditions and export quantity index [1]