South Korea's exports barely grew in February, missing market expectations, with demand in key markets hurt amid a global trade war triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Outbound shipments from Asia's fourth-largest economy stood at $52.

South Koreas industry minister, Ahn Duk-geun, has urged the U.S. to grant tariff exemptions during trade talks in Washington, as the Biden administration moves forward with new 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum.

South Korean officials have asked the Trump administration to exclude their country from U.S. plans to impose aggressive tariffs on trade partners, emphasizing that Seoul is already applying low duties on American products under the free trade agreement between the two nations.

South Korea's industry minister requested a tariff exemption in talks with the U.S. administration, Seoul's industry ministry said on Saturday, as Washington moves forward with plans to impose new tariffs.

South Koreas exports are expected to rise 3.8% in February from a year earlier, driven mainly by more working days, according to a Reuters poll of 18 economists. However, trade momentum is weakening amid escalating