TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s exports to the US surged more than 50% in the first eight months of this year, breaking full-year records ahead of schedule.

The Ministry of Finance said Tuesday that US-bound shipments reached NT$3.55 trillion (US$117.17 billion) from January to August, per CNA. August alone saw exports of NT$595 billion, up 65.2% year-on-year, marking the fourth straight month the US overtook China and Hong Kong as Taiwan’s top market.

Overall exports hit a record NT$1.90 trillion in August, rising 34.1% from a year earlier and extending the growth streak to 22 consecutive months. MOF Department of Statistics Director Tsai Mei-na (蔡美娜) said strong demand for AI, supply chain realignments, and US manufacturing reshoring were driving the surge.

“Shipments to the US have hit new monthly highs since March, and the US is likely to remain Taiwan’s largest export market through year-end,” she said.

Exports to ASEAN, Japan, and China also posted double-digit gains, with ASEAN shipments up 46.7% to the second-highest monthly level on record. Europe was the lone weak spot, with exports falling 10.5%.

The US–China trade war and shifting supply chains are reshaping Taiwan’s trade map, Tsai said. Taiwan has posted sizable surpluses with the US, Malaysia, and Mexico, while its deficit with South Korea has widened.

She added that Taiwan’s trade surplus with the US climbed to NT$2.78 trillion in the first eight months, nearly equal to the overall surplus of NT$2.83 trillion. The figure could surpass NT$3.25 trillion for the year, cementing the US as Taiwan’s largest trade partner and replacing China.