*
Exports to US +144.3% y/y (prior month +51.6%)
*
Exports to China +3.2% y/y (prior month +12.8%)
*
November exports seen up 35%-40% y/y -ministry
*
2025 exports seen up 30% y/y at $600 bln -ministry
*
Uncertainty of policy changes, geopolitical risks need
monitoring, ministry says
(Adds details throughout)
By Faith Hung and Emily Chan
TAIPEI, Nov 7 (Reuters) -
Taiwan's exports grew at their fastest clip in nearly 16
years in October, setting a record as booming demand for chips
and artificial intelligence (AI) technology outpaces the effects
of U.S. tariffs on the island's goods.
Exports jumped 49.7% in October from a year earlier to
$61.80 billion, a record amount in dollars and the fastest
growth since 57.7% logged in May 2010, the finance ministry said
on Friday.
The figure easily surpassed the 31.6% increase forecast
by economists in a Reuters poll.
It also marked the 24th consecutive monthly year-on-year
gain.
Taiwan's exports to the United States are subject to a
20% tariff, which Taipei is in talks to reduce, though
semiconductors are at present excluded.
Taiwan's export momentum is expected to be buoyed both
by the continued acceleration of AI and high-performance
computing applications and the traditional peak season of
year-end shopping in western markets, the ministry said in a
statement.
The ministry now expects 2025 exports to grow 30%
year-on-year to $600 billion.
However, the global economic outlook remains highly
uncertain, as U.S. tariff policies take shape and geopolitical
risks linger, so there is need for careful monitoring, the
statement added.
Taiwan companies such as TSMC,, the
world's largest contract chipmaker, are major suppliers to
Nvidia ( NVDA ), Apple ( AAPL ) and other tech giants.
For November, the ministry expects exports to rise
between 35% and 40% year-on-year.
In October, Taiwan's exports to the United States soared
144.3% on-year to $21.135 billion, while exports to China
climbed 3.2%.
Exports of electronic components rose 27.7% to $21.16
billion, with semiconductor exports up 29.2%.
Imports rose 14.6% to $32.22 billion, behind economists'
forecasts for an increase of 25.3%.