Taiwan Trade Surplus Exceeds Forecasts

Taiwan’s trade surplus widened to USD 17.9 billion in May 2026 from USD 12.6 billion a year earlier, exceeding market expectations of USD 15.2 billion. Exports surged 51.7% year-on-year to USD 78.5 billion, driven mainly by strong shipments of information, communication and audio-video products (75.2%), electronic product parts (56%), and machinery (22.7%). Among key trading partners, exports increased to the US (47.9%), Mainland China and Hong Kong (35.4%), and ASEAN countries (90.8%). Meanwhile, imports soared 54.9% to a record high of USD 60.6 billion, led by higher arrivals of electronic product parts (66.9%), information, communication and audio-video products (118%), and mineral products (70.2%). Import growth was strongest from Mainland China and Hong Kong (48.4%), ASEAN countries (123.6%), and South Korea (73.3%). For the January–May period, the trade surplus reached USD 85.2 billion, with exports climbing 48.7% and imports growing 37.8%.

Taiwan’s trade surplus widened to USD 14.35 billion in April 2026 from USD 7.4 billion in the same month of the previous year, but missed market expectations of USD 19.1 billion. Exports soared 39% year-on-year to USD 67.62 billion, mainly driven by higher sales of information, communication and audio-video products (62.3%) and parts of electronic products (33.7%). Among major trading partners, shipments rose strongly to the US (63.8%), as well as Mainland China and Hong Kong (15.8%) and ASEAN (36.8%). Meanwhile, imports increased 29.2% from a year earlier to USD 53.27 billion, primarily due to higher purchases of parts of electronic products (61.3%) and information, communication and audio-video products (33.2%). Import growth was strongest from Mainland China and Hong Kong (28.6%), ASEAN (52.9%) and South Korea (78.3%). For the January–April period, the country’s trade surplus reached USD 67.3 billion, with exports surging 47.8% while imports rose 33.2%.

Taiwan’s trade surplus surged to USD 21.27 billion in March 2026 from USD 6.93 billion in the same month a year earlier, far exceeding market expectations of USD 14.5 billion. This marked the largest trade surplus since October 2025, driven by strong demand for AI applications and other technology products. Exports soared 61.8% year-on-year to an all-time high of USD 80.18 billion, primarily driven by solid shipments of information, communication, and audio-video products (134.5%) and electronic components (44%). Exports jumped to the US (124%) and Mainland China and Hong Kong (27.4%). Meanwhile, imports climbed 38.3% to a record peak of USD 58.91 billion, mainly due to higher arrivals of electronic parts (63.4%) and information, communication, and audio-video products (131.6%). Import growth was strongest from Mainland China and Hong Kong (38.1%). For the January–March period, Taiwan recorded a trade surplus of USD 52.96 billion, with exports rising 51.1% and imports increasing 34.8%.