A look back at how postwar reconstruction, policy reform, and early export thinking laid the foundations of Taiwan’s modern economy. The story highlights resilience built during uncertainty — a pattern that continues to shape Taiwan today.
Taiwan’s economy is ending 2025 with remarkable momentum driven by surging AI-related exports, yet domestic demand continues to lag behind the high-tech boom. This widening divide between external strength and household sentiment will shape how the economy enters 2026.
Strong exports and high-tech investment continue to lift Taiwan’s growth outlook, even as weak consumption and a cooling property market highlight lingering domestic pressures.
For the first time in over two decades, Taiwanese investments in the United States surpassed those in China, signaling a significant realignment of Taiwan’s economic priorities amid shifting global trade dynamics. Driven by major players like TSMC and bolstered by U.S. incentives, this trend reflects deeper U.S.-Taiwan ties and a strategic move to diversify operations and mitigate risks.
By Nikki Dong and Alex Myslinski Lai Embarks On South Pacific Tour President Lai Ching-te on November 30 departed for his first overseas trip since taking office in May. His itinerary, lasting through December 6, includes stopovers in Hawaii and Guam en route to visiting the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, Taiwan’s three diplomatic allies in…
By Nikki Dong & Alex Myslinski Growth Forecasts Rise, Exports Boom The International Monetary Fund projects Taiwan’s economic growth rate this year to be around 2.2%, indicating a cautiously optimistic outlook as Taiwan navigates external economic pressures and domestic recovery initiatives. The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) forecasts a growth rate of…
Taiwan’s economy has thrived this year, fueled by strong demand for high-tech exports and vibrant domestic consumption and investment. However, uncertainties such as U.S. trade policies, a slowing Chinese economy, and geopolitical tensions pose challenges for 2025. While economic growth is expected to moderate, Taiwan’s resilience in innovation and global markets continues to drive optimism.
Looking ahead to 2025, Taiwan Business TOPICS highlights a pivotal year for Taiwan’s economy, international relations, and societal resilience, shaped by opportunities, and challenges on a global scale.
By Nikki Dong and Alex Myslinski Export Orders Continue to Rise Export orders in August rose for the sixth consecutive month, reaching US$50.2 billion, driven by strong demand for AI chips, cloud-based servers, and new iPhone inventory replenishment, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) reported. Orders increased 9.1% year-on-year (YoY) in August, with total orders for…
By Julia Bergström and Alex Myslinski the Ministry of Finance (MOF). The ministry attributed the growth to strong global demand for AI applications. Exports for the month totaled US$39.94 billion, a growth of more than 3% year-over-year (YoY), while imports increased 16.2% YoY to US$35.1 billion. MOF said that while the growth came amid a…
