Taiwan’s trade surplus widened to USD 17.9 billion in May 2026 from USD 12.6 billion a year earlier, exceeding market expectations of USD 15.2 billion. Exports surged 51.7% year-on-year to USD 78.5 billion, driven mainly by strong shipments of information, communication and audio-video products (75.2%), electronic product parts (56%), and machinery (22.7%). Among key trading partners, exports increased to the US (47.9%), Mainland China and Hong Kong (35.4%), and ASEAN countries (90.8%). Meanwhile, imports soared 54.9% to a record high of USD 60.6 billion, led by higher arrivals of electronic product parts (66.9%), information, communication and audio-video products (118%), and mineral products (70.2%). Import growth was strongest from Mainland China and Hong Kong (48.4%), ASEAN countries (123.6%), and South Korea (73.3%). For the January–May period, the trade surplus reached USD 85.2 billion, with exports climbing 48.7% and imports growing 37.8%.