Taiwan’s exports soared in July, reaching their third-highest monthly total on record, buoyed by robust AI-related orders and a resilient global economy, with electronics leading the charge.
Taiwan’s exports surged in July as demand linked to artificial intelligence continued to lift shipments of chips and other electronic goods, according to the Ministry of Finance.
Outbound sales climbed 32.9% from a year earlier to US$75.30 billion, the 33rd straight month of annual growth and the third-highest monthly total on record. Imports also rose sharply, up 37.4% to US$58.13 billion, leaving a trade surplus of US$17.17 billion, up 19.6% from a year earlier.
The ministry said the export picture was supported not only by AI-related orders but also by a resilient global economy and inventory-building by international brands ahead of new product launches. The strength was most visible in electronics.
Electronic component exports reached a record US$27.73 billion, up 50.5% from a year earlier. Integrated circuits accounted for most of that total, rising 52.3% to US$26.30 billion. Shipments of information, communications and audio-visual products, including computers, routers and switches, rose 29.5% to US$31.37 billion. Together, the two sectors made up 78.5% of all exports in July.
Other industries also posted gains. Mineral products, much of it fuel, jumped 52.1% as crude oil prices rose. Machinery exports increased 10.8% as semiconductor companies expanded capacity, while electric equipment sales rose 34.3% on demand tied to grid development for AI-related power needs. By contrast, transportation vehicles and textiles both fell over the month.
The United States remained Taiwan’s largest export market, taking US$23.24 billion in goods, up 25.2% from a year earlier, although that was the weakest pace of growth in 18 months. The ministry said the slowdown reflected lower exports of computer peripherals and components. China and Hong Kong followed with US$19.17 billion.
For the first seven months of 2026, Taiwan’s exports rose 44.7% to US$491.95 billion, while imports increased 39.8% to US$377.34 billion. The resulting trade surplus widened 63.5% to US$114.61 billion. The ministry forecast that August exports would remain strong, projecting growth of 31% to 35% from a year earlier.
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