Taiwan Posts Largest Trade Surplus on Record

Taiwan’s trade surplus widened sharply to USD 23.63 billion in September 2026 from USD 12.30 billion a year earlier, marking the largest surplus on record. Exports surged 60.9% year-on-year to a record USD 87.22 billion, driven by stronger shipments of information, communication and audio-video products (103.0%), parts of electronic products (45.3%), and mineral products (86.4%). The US remained the largest export market, accounting for 31.5% of total shipments, with exports rising 106.2%. Meanwhile, imports jumped 51.7% to a record USD 63.59 billion, fueled by higher purchases of parts of electronic products (82.5%), information, communication and audio-video products (106.5%), and mineral products (38.9%). Mainland China and Hong Kong remained the largest source of imports, accounting for 21.2% of the total, with imports soaring 59.1%. For the first nine months of the year, the trade surplus reached USD 160.55 billion, with exports surging 46.2% and imports climbing 41.3%.

Taiwan’s trade surplus widened to USD 22.3 billion in August 2026 from USD 16.8 billion a year earlier, marking the largest surplus since October 2025. Exports surged 41% year-on-year to a record USD 82.4 billion, driven by stronger shipments of information, communication and audio-video products (41.8%) and parts of electronic products (58%), and base metals and articles of base metal (22.4%). The US remained the largest export market, accounting for 28.7% of total shipments, with exports rising 20.7%. Meanwhile, imports jumped 44.3% to USD 60.1 billion, fueled by higher purchases of parts of electronic products (62.6%), information, communication and audio-video products (108.6%), and mineral products (38.4%). Mainland China and Hong Kong remained the largest source of imports, accounting for 21.1% of the total, with imports soaring 60.2%. For the first eight months of the year, the trade surplus reached USD 136.9 billion, with exports surging 44.2% and imports climbing 40.4%.

Taiwan's trade surplus widened to USD 17.2 billion in July 2026 from USD 14.4 billion a year earlier, exceeding market expectations of USD 16.5 billion. Exports rose 32.9% year-on-year to USD 75.3 billion, supported by robust demand for machinery and equipment (37.1%), led by electronic parts (50.5%) and information, communication and audio products (29.5%). The US remained the largest export market, accounting for 31% of total shipments, with exports rising 25.2%, followed by Mainland China and Hong Kong, where exports increased 33.4%. Imports increased 37.4% to USD 58.3 billion, driven by purchases of machinery and equipment (55.8%), particularly electronic parts (61.5%) and information, communication and audio products (18.8%). Mainland China and Hong Kong remained the largest source of imports, accounting for 19.9% of the total, followed by South Korea at 13.6%. In the first seven months of 2026, Taiwan's trade surplus widened 63.5% year-on-year to USD 114.4 billion.