Taiwan’s trade surplus widened to USD 12.40 billion in September from USD 7.10 billion a year earlier and below market expectations of a USD 15.66 billion surplus. Exports jumped 33.8% year-on-year to USD 54.25 billion, driven by strong growth in information, communication, and audio-video products (+86.9%) and electronic parts (+25.6%). Shipments rose to the US (+51.6%), ASEAN (+34.0%), Europe (+27.3%), Japan (+23.3%), and China & Hong Kong (+12.8%). Imports rose 25.1% to USD 41.86 billion, due to higher purchases of electronic parts (+42.7%), information and audio-video products (+70.0%), and machinery (+52.7%), despite a decline in mineral products (-11.3%). Import growth was led by increases from Korea (+54.2%), Europe (+34.1%), ASEAN (+23.9%), China & Hong Kong (+20.9%), and the US (+20.3%). From January to September, Taiwan’s trade surplus totaled USD 99.27 billion, with exports up 29.7% and imports rising 22.0%.