Below is a list showcasing 15 of Taiwan’s top trading partners, countries that imported the most Taiwanese shipments by dollar value during 2020. Also shown is each import country’s percentage of total Taiwanese exports.

1. China: US$103.1 billion (29.7% of Taiwan’s total exports)
2. United States: $50.9 billion (14.7%)
3. Hong Kong: $49.3 billion (14.2%)
4. Japan: $23.5 billion (6.8%)
5. Singapore: $19.2 billion (5.5%)
6. South Korea: $15.2 billion (4.4%)
7. Vietnam: $10.6 billion (3%)
8. Malaysia: $9.5 billion (2.7%)
9. Netherlands: $6.1 billion (1.8%)
10. Germany: $6.1 billion (1.7%)
11. Philippines: $5.7 billion (1.6%)
12. Thailand: $5.3 billion (1.5%)
13. United Kingdom: $3.4 billion (1%)
14. Australia: $3.2 billion (0.9%)
15. Mexico: $2.7 billion (0.8%)

About nine-tenths (90.4%) of Taiwanese exports in 2020 were delivered to the above 15 trade partners.

Hong Kong increased its purchases of products exported by Taiwan at the fastest pace from 2019 to 2020 via a 22.1% gain. Other increases belong to China (up 12.2%), United States (up 9.8%) and Singapore (up 5.4%).

Leading decliners among Taiwan’s major trade partners were South Korea (down -10.1%), Philippines (down -8%), Germany (down -7%) and the United Kingdom (down -6%).

As defined by Investopedia, a country whose total value of all imported goods is higher than its value of all exports is said to have a negative trade balance or deficit.

It would be unrealistic for any exporting nation to expect across-the-board positive trade balances with all its importing partners. Similarly, that export country doesn’t necessarily post a negative trade balance with each individual partner with which it exchanges exports and imports.

Taiwan incurred the highest trade deficits with the following countries.

1. Japan: -US$22.6 billion (country-specific trade deficit in 2020)
2. South Korea: -$5.5 billion
3. Australia: -$4.8 billion
4. Germany: -$4.2 billion
5. Saudi Arabia: -$4 billion
6. Kuwait: -$2.4 billion
7. Indonesia: -$2.24 billion
8. Russia: -$2.22 billion
9. Qatar: -$2.2 billion
10. Switzerland: -$1.7 billion

Among Taiwan’s trading partners that cause the greatest negative trade balances, Taiwanese deficits with South Korea (up 561.1%), Germany (up 44.2%) and Switzerland (up 39.2%) grew at the fastest pace from 2019 to 2020.

These cashflow deficiencies clearly indicate Taiwan’s competitive disadvantages with the above countries, but also represent key opportunities for Taiwan to develop country-specific strategies to strengthen its overall position in international trade.

Taiwan generated an overall $59.8 billion trade surplus from all goods bought and sold on international markets during 2020, up 37% from the $43.6 billion in black ink one year earlier.

Based on Investopedia’s definition of net importer, a country whose total value of all imported goods is lower than its value of all exports is said to have a positive trade balance or surplus.

Taiwan incurred the highest trade surpluses with the following countries.

1. Hong Kong: US$48.1 billion (country-specific trade surplus in 2020)
2. China: $39.1 billion
3. United States: $17.9 billion
4. Singapore: $10.2 billion
5. Vietnam: $5.1 billion
6. Philippines: $3.5 billion
7. Mexico: $1.6 billion
8. United Kingdom: $1.5 billion
9. Thailand: $750.9 million
10. Bangladesh: $750 million

Among Taiwan’s trading partners that generate the greatest positive trade balances, Taiwanese surpluses with United States (up 59.6%), Hong Kong (up 22.3%) and China (up 13.5%) grew from 2019 to 2020.

These positive cashflow streams clearly indicate Taiwan’s competitive advantages with the above countries, but also represent key opportunities for Taiwan to develop country-specific strategies to optimize its overall position in international trade.

Companies Servicing Taiwanese Trading Partners

Forty-seven corporations rank among Forbes Global 2000. Below is a sample of the major Taiwanese companies that Forbes included.

• Advanced Semiconductor (semiconductors)
• Asustek Computer (computer hardware)
• Cheng Shin Rubber Industry Co. (automotive parts)
• China Steel (iron, steel)
• Delta Electronics (electronics)
• Formosa Chemicals (specialized chemicals)
• Formosa Petrochemical (oil, gas)
• Formosa Plastics (specialized chemicals)
• Hon Hai Precision (electronics)
• Mediatek (semiconductors)
• Nan Ya Plastics (diversified chemicals)
• Pegatron (electronics)
• Quanta Computer (computer hardware)
• Taiwan Semiconductor (semiconductors)
• Uni-President (food processing)

According to IMPORTERS.com listings for Taiwanese suppliers, the following are companies that ship products from Taiwan to its trading partners around the globe. Shown within parenthesis are examples of products that the Taiwanese business provides.

• Ever Honor Industries, Inc (food coloring, additives)
• Fuho Technology Co Ltd (vehicle video recorders)
• Hoya International Co, Ltd (industrial tools)
• Intertrust Corporation (aerosol can goods )
• J&A Information Inc (computer memory products)
• Li Jun Enterprise Co, Ltd (marine diesel engines, parts)
• Lian Jeng Co (milling machines)
• Paichang Corporation (electronics, e-cigarettes)
• Stars Navigation Technologies Ltd (GPS, tracking equipment)
• Weld Want Group Co, Ltd (super glue, adhesives)