TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s export orders from the US hit a record NT$8.49 trillion (US$268.3 billion) in 2025, accounting for 36% of total orders, while ASEAN overtook China to become Taiwan’s second-largest export market.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs on Tuesday said US orders were primarily driven by the AI supply chain. With Taiwan-US tariff negotiations settled, auto parts are expected to boost orders further, CNA reported.
December export orders from the US and ASEAN each hit a monthly record, respectively totaling US$28.39 billion and US$13.54 billion. This represents growth of 50–60% compared with the same month in the previous year.
China and Hong Kong accounted for US$13.18 billion in December, up 15% year-on-year. Europe totaled US$10.85 billion, up 47%, and Japan reached US$3.37 billion, up 26.3%.
For the year, US export orders totaled US$268.3 billion, up 38.6% from 2024 and returning above the US$200 billion mark after two years. The US accounted for 36.1% of total export orders, the largest share among Taiwan’s five major markets.
Orders to the US were mainly in ICT and electronic products. ICT products reached US$87.98 billion, accounting for 37.7% of that category, while electronics totaled US$123.8 billion, making up 42.5%.
After US tariff policies were finalized, Huang Wei-jie (黃偉傑), head of the economic ministry's Department of Statistics, said orders remain heavily focused on AI-related supply chains. Industrial products such as auto parts have underperformed due to tariff costs, and the US market is still reducing inventories.
Huang added that demand for auto parts has not yet fully recovered, as higher tariffs have increased costs and downstream buyers delayed orders. With inventories normalizing and tariffs finalized, Taiwan is expected to compete on a level playing field with Japan, South Korea, and Europe, creating opportunities for auto parts to join AI supply chains in driving US order growth.
For traditional industries, Huang said competition will shift back to product quality and service once tariff conditions align with Japan, South Korea, and Europe. Taiwan’s favorable tax conditions versus China, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian competitors also boost the international competitiveness of goods such as hand tools, plumbing hardware, and textiles.
ASEAN export orders reached US$139.5 billion in 2025, up 41.2% year-on-year and accounting for 18.8% of total orders. This surpasses China and Hong Kong (US$137.8 billion), making ASEAN Taiwan’s second-largest export market for the first time.
Looking ahead, Huang said global economic momentum this year is expected to remain driven by AI opportunities. Inventory adjustments and improved competitive conditions should gradually enhance exports in traditional industries, supporting overall export order growth.
