'Tesla and Holiday Effects' Drive September Online Shopping to All-Time High [3-Minute Brief]

[At a Glance]
1. National Data Agency releases September 2025 online shopping trends
2. Trump tariffs hit hard: U.S. holiday gift shoppers to spend an extra 190,000 won per person
3. Curbing de-dollarization moves... Trump pushes to strengthen dollar dominance

MARKET INDEX

○ The three major U.S. stock indices closed mixed, with tech stocks rising on optimism around AI.
○ Stocks excluding tech shares showed weak performance.
○ Investors are watching for earnings announcements from key companies such as Palantir and AMD.

TOP 3 NEWS

■ September online shopping hits record high at 23.8 trillion won, driven by Tesla and holiday effects

○ Transaction growth rate at 9.0%, the highest since Q2 last year
○ U.S. cross-border direct sales reached an all-time high
○ Increased consumption of 'K-beauty' products contributed to growth

■ U.S. consumers brace for a tough holiday season: "Tariffs push up per-person shopping costs by 190,000 won"

○ LendingTree analyzed current tariff rates applied to last year's consumption data
○ "Prices for electronics, fashion, and food are all rising, increasing household burdens"
○ Tariff pass-through leads to an extra 190,000 won in spending per shopper

■ Trump administration counters China's 'de-dollarization' with dollar expansion

○ Trump is reviewing measures to expand dollarization
○ Considering ways to encourage other countries to adopt the dollar as a key currency
○ Growing concerns over weakening international currency status, targeting countries like Argentina and Lebanon

Graphic News: As deposit rates rise, the loan-deposit rate spread at major banks narrows for the first time in four months

○ Household loan-deposit rate spread in September was 1.46 percentage points
○ Authorities pointed out "unjustified widening of the loan-deposit rate spread" just a month ago
○ As market interest rates rose, banks simultaneously raised deposit rates

Money-Making Law

■ Court blocks claims of 'slave contracts' by 'super-weak' parties... Emphasizes contract binding in exclusive contract disputes

○ The court strictly applied the principle of "performance of agreement" in exclusive contracts for celebrities
○ Both NewJeans and ChenBaekXi lost their exclusive contract disputes against their agencies
○ The court's ruling curbs contract violations by 'super-weak' parties, signaling a reestablishment of contract order in the entertainment industry
☞Read the article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2025110315020419221

■ Even if the insurance company did not explain the policy, hiding the cause of an accident constitutes insurance fraud

○ Conviction for making a false claim by hiding an electric scooter accident and claiming injury from a fall
○ Lower court: "Violation of insurer's duty to explain" - not guilty → Supreme Court: "Constitutes deception"
○ "Even if there is a reason to pay insurance, a false claim is fraud" ... Case remanded
☞Read the article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2025110315065950088

■ Legality of Trump tariffs to be reviewed by U.S. Supreme Court on November 5

○ The U.S. Supreme Court will review the legality of Trump's reciprocal tariffs on November 5
○ The key issue is whether the tariffs are authorized under IEEPA; lower courts ruled them illegal
○ The outcome will inevitably impact the Korea-U.S. trade agreement and exports to the U.S.
☞Read the article: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/lawtimes/2025110315185204104

※ 'Money-Making Law,' a content partnership section between The Asia Business Daily and Law Times, is published every Tuesday and Thursday.

Today's Key Schedule

○ Domestic

08:00 South Korea Consumer Price Index (YoY) (October)

KOSDAQ Curiosis subscription, planned public offering price 18,000~22,000 won

KOSDAQ Sena Technology subscription, confirmed public offering price 56,800 won

○ International

00:00 U.S. ISM Manufacturing PMI (October)

12:30 Australia interest rate decision (November)

21:00 Brazil Industrial Production (MoM) (September)

◇ Lunchtime & Evening Commute Weather

○ Lowest temperature: 5°C (▲4°C) | Highest temperature: 16°C (▲3°C)
○ Precipitation probability: 20% in the morning | 0% in the afternoon
○ Fine dust: Moderate in the morning | Moderate in the afternoon

3 minutes is all you need for essential, cost-effective economic news. Published daily at 8 AM.