Taiwan's trade surplus surged to a record USD 12.62 billion in May 2025, more than doubling from USD 6.03 billion in the corresponding month of the previous year. Exports jumped by 38.6% year-on-year to USD 51.74 billion, primarily attributed to increased sales of information, communication, and audio-video products (111.1%), parts of electronic products (28.4%), base metals and articles of base metal (5.7%), and machinery (7.7%). Meanwhile, imports rose at a slower pace of 25% to USD 39.12 billion, mainly due to higher purchases of information and audio-video products (108.9%), parts of electronic products (51.7%), and machinery (35.9%). However, purchases declined for mineral products (-16.2%) and chemicals (-5%). For the first five months of the year, the country’s trade surplus reached USD 43.45 billion, a 38.3% higher compared to the same period last year, with exports growing 24.3% and imports increasing by 21.4%.