Taiwan January exports surge at fastest pace in 16 years on AI demand, as exports rose 69.9 percent year on year to $65.77 billion, the finance ministry said.
The result beat a Reuters poll expectation of 51.9 percent and exceeded December's 43.4 percent pace, the ministry added.
The ministry said the value set a monthly record and extended a streak of 27 consecutive monthly year-on-year gains.
Electronic components led the gains, with exports up 59.8 percent to $22.36 billion, also a record high, the ministry said.
Reuters reported exports to the US surged 151.8 percent to $21.28 billion, while shipments to China climbed 49.6 percent.
Imports rose 63.6 percent to $46.87 billion, surpassing economists' forecasts, the finance ministry said.
The ministry said strong AI and cloud business demand supported the performance, but it also noted a lower year-ago base because the Lunar New Year holiday fell late January last year.
For February the ministry expects exports to rise between 20 percent and 27 percent despite the holiday, it added.
Reuters reported Taiwan's exporters have so far absorbed 20 percent tariffs imposed last year by the administration of US President Donald Trump without substantial harm, largely because key semiconductor exports were excluded.
Reuters also said Washington agreed last month to lower the tariff rate to 15 percent as part of a trade and investment deal.
Wider Export Performance And Outlook
Separately, the Department of Statistics reported a strong finish to last year, with exports up 43.4 percent to US$62.48 billion in the prior month, extending growth to 26 consecutive months, Crystal Hsu wrote.
Beatrice Tsai, Director General at the Department of Statistics, described the performance as surprisingly outstanding and forecast export growth of 50 to 56 percent for the current month, citing a low base from Lunar New Year timing.
Tsai said the AI opportunity shows no sign of fading and that industry players were overwhelmingly bullish, adding Taiwan has the technological capabilities and industrial depth to capture significant growth.
Technology products were the main driver, with information and communications technology and audiovisual exports more than doubling year on year, while electronic components rose 24.1 percent, the report said.
Machinery exports increased 11 percent, helped by demand for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, while plastics and rubber products fell 13.1 percent amid weak markets and rising overseas capacity.
For the full year exports soared 34.9 percent to a record US$640.75 billion, generating an unprecedented trade surplus of US$157.14 billion, the ministry said.
The US overtook China as Taiwan's largest export destination, and shipments to ASEAN climbed 35.6 percent to more than US$100 billion, making the bloc Taiwan's second-largest market, the ministry added.
