Taiwan’s trade surplus surged to USD 14.34 billion in July, nearly tripling from USD 4.90 billion a year earlier and beating market expectations of USD 10.75 billion surplus. Exports jumped 42.0% year-on-year to a record USD 56.68 billion, driven by strong growth in information, communication, and audio-video products (+87.1%) and electronic parts (+34.1%). Shipments rose to ASEAN (+71.6%), the US (+62.8%), China & Hong Kong (+23.9%), Europe (+4.1%). Imports rose 20.8% to USD 42.34 billion, due to higher purchases of electronic parts (+41.4%), information and audio-video products (+66.8%), and machinery (+25.8%), despite a decline in mineral products (-11.3%). Import growth was led by increases from Korea (+41.3%), ASEAN (+32.0%), China & Hong Kong (+16.4%), Japan (+15.4%), the US (+13.5%), and Europe (+1.9%). From January to July, Taiwan’s trade surplus totaled USD 70.05 billion - already surpassing the full-year record set in 2024 - and included a USD 14.47 billion surplus with the US.