Taiwan's exports have reached an all-time high, with September's figures showing a record $87.2 billion in exports. This significant increase is attributed to the growing global demand for artificial intelligence hardware. As a leading producer of advanced chips used in AI systems, Taiwan has become a powerhouse in the semiconductor sector.
The 60.9 percent year-on-year increase in exports marks the 35th consecutive month of growth. According to the finance ministry, imports for September also soared 51.7 percent to $63.6 billion, resulting in a record trade surplus of $23.6 billion. This surge in exports has contributed to Taiwan's remarkable economic growth, with a 12.9 percent expansion in GDP during the second quarter.
Economists attribute the strong growth to the resurgence in AI servers. Meekita Gupta, an Asia economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, noted that the forecast was far too low, at 34.0 percent. The sharp fall in server-related shipments in September 2025 created a low base, amplifying this year's headline growth. Taiwan is home to major hardware production companies, including TSMC and Foxconn.
TSMC, which turns Nvidia's cutting-edge designs into silicon components, and Foxconn, which assembles processors to make data centre servers, are key players in Taiwan's thriving tech industry. Despite uncertainty in global trade policies and geopolitical developments, the finance ministry expects Taiwan's export growth trajectory to continue for the rest of the year.
The ministry attributes the expected growth to the deepening of AI applications, leading to increased investment in AI infrastructure by international cloud service providers and countries. This, in turn, boosts demand across related supply chains, such as semiconductors and servers. Additionally, stocking for new technology products and the approaching year-end peak purchasing season in China, Europe, and the United States will support Taiwan's export momentum.
The United States remains Taiwan's largest export market, with overseas shipments more than doubling to $27.5 billion in September. This represents the second-highest value on record. Exports to the Southeast Asian regional bloc ASEAN also hit a record $18.9 billion, up 93.4 percent. The United States and ASEAN member countries contributed 70 percent of the total increase in exports.
As Taiwan's export growth continues, the country's economy is expected to maintain its strong performance. With AI applications on the rise, Taiwan is well-positioned to benefit from the growing demand for AI hardware. The country's tech industry, led by companies like TSMC and Foxconn, is likely to play a significant role in driving this growth.
Key points
- Taiwan's exports reached a record $87.2 billion in September, driven by strong global demand for AI hardware.
- The country's export growth is expected to continue, driven by deepening AI applications and increased investment in AI infrastructure.
- Taiwan's economy has seen a 12.9 percent expansion in GDP during the second quarter, fueled by the surge in exports.
