{"id":2202141,"date":"2023-09-04T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-04T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2202141"},"modified":"2023-09-05T17:24:29","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T08:24:29","slug":"how-chinas-ongoing-economic-struggles-impact-south-korean-exporters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/how-chinas-ongoing-economic-struggles-impact-south-korean-exporters\/","title":{"rendered":"How China\u2019s ongoing economic struggles impact South Korean exporters"},"content":{"rendered":"
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese consumers haven\u2019t sustained the expected surge in spending as their economy reopened. As a result, China confronts a nexus of challenges, mainly stemming from a development model that appears to have reached its limits. This development holds significant consequences for the global stage, especially for South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite these implications, Chinese industrial policy, focusing on mercantilism, has steadily compelled South Korean exporters to diversify away from the Chinese market. China\u2019s economic challenges are liable to accelerate this departure even more.<\/span><\/p>\n A <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> analysis indicates that:<\/span><\/p>\n CHINESE REAL ESTATE<\/b><\/p>\n China faced economic headwinds last year as its stringent \u201czero-COVID\u201d policy hit households and <\/span>depressed<\/span><\/a> domestic consumption. Concurrently, a <\/span>ballooning crisis<\/span><\/a> emerged in the real estate sector. Chinese households traditionally <\/span>allocate<\/span><\/a> a significant portion of their savings to housing. Consequently, a downturn in real estate directly impacts household wealth, affecting Chinese consumers\u2019 ability and inclination to spend.<\/span><\/p>\n This year was <\/span>anticipated<\/span><\/a> to herald a resurgence of Chinese consumers, previously an <\/span>engine<\/span><\/a> of global demand. However, that resurgence has waned, and a significant factor is the prolonged downturn in the housing market that persisted into this year. This downturn originated from the Chinese government\u2019s 2020 decision to curtail the growth model of real estate developers, as outlined in its \u201c<\/span>three red lines<\/span><\/a>\u201d policy.<\/span><\/p>\n Beijing justified this restriction as a measure to curb speculative buying, emphasizing that housing should serve living needs, not <\/span>speculation<\/span><\/a>. It also stated that it was necessary to address the nation\u2019s escalating debt concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n By the end of 2022, China\u2019s total debt-to-GDP <\/span>ratio<\/span><\/a> stood at nearly 280%, excluding financial firms but encompassing other businesses, households and governmental entities. While this figure is already substantial, the <\/span>rapid accumulation<\/span><\/a> of this debt in recent years raises even greater alarms.<\/span><\/p>\n For South Korea, the slowdown in China\u2019s property market may dent demand for exports like petrochemicals, steel and semiconductors. However, South Korea is gradually reducing its dependency on China due to Beijing\u2019s efforts to <\/span>localize<\/span><\/a> high-end manufacturing.<\/span><\/p>\n While China\u2019s consumer and property markets do not rely heavily on Korean imports, this interdependence might further decrease over time. Thus, a decline in Chinese domestic demand could affect some Korean companies. However, prospects emerge elsewhere, such as North America and Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n Their <\/span>ongoing endeavors<\/span><\/a> to restructure supply chains closer to home and a rising appetite for electric vehicles and other high-tech products present new opportunities for South Korean firms. These markets could absorb products and intermediates South Korea previously exported to China.<\/span><\/p>\n An illustration of residential buildings under construction | Image: Korea Pro<\/p><\/div>\n CHINESE EXPORTERS<\/b><\/p>\n Chinese <\/span>exporters<\/span><\/a> face daunting challenges with dwindling orders and prices, a trend echoing among other significant manufactured goods exporters, such as <\/span>Germany<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n The growth in global demand for goods isn\u2019t as robust as in previous years. For instance, the smartphone market\u2019s influx of potential new consumers has sharply dropped since 2013. As more consumers acquire smartphones and the <\/span>durability<\/span><\/a> of existing models increases, it\u2019s evident that the market and product have matured.<\/span><\/p>\n However, this shift poses severe challenges for manufacturers accustomed to boasting double-digit growth.<\/span><\/p>\n Similar patterns emerge in the global shipping market. The ramifications of COVID-19 <\/span>severely impacted<\/span><\/a> global trade flows, leading to surging demand for logistics and ships, especially after the industry saw a <\/span>structural decline<\/span><\/a> in the late 2010s. However, this urgent demand for ships during the pandemic\u2019s peak eventually reverted to a plunge reminiscent of 2019 patterns, indicating that global merchandise trade has transformed.<\/span><\/p>\n Korean automotive companies, which hold a considerable stake in the global car market and <\/span>contribute significantly<\/span><\/a> to Korean exports, also confront challenges. Much like the semiconductor sector, they grapple with issues of overcapacity and oversupply, putting profits at <\/span>risk<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n These market dynamics spell potential trouble for the Korean economy, which leans heavily on exports, particularly in semiconductors and electronics, but also in areas like shipbuilding and steel. But there is a silver lining. The U.S. demand for Korean goods might cushion the impact on ROK producers, and the <\/span>emergence<\/span><\/a> of new products and markets could help rejuvenate at least part of the Korean growth engine.<\/span><\/p>\n However, Korean companies should be wary. While China grapples with its real estate issues, the obstacles facing its exporters might serve as early warning signs for Korean businesses. Many Korean firms have already weathered a tumultuous year, grappling with the depreciating won and rising import costs.<\/span><\/p>\n The road ahead could be rocky for South Korean manufacturers. However, not all is bleak, as optimism arises from potential growth in emerging markets, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, India and Africa. These markets might not provide <\/span>immediate relief<\/span><\/a> but present promising prospects for the coming years.<\/span><\/p>\n Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n