Sometimes referred to as Chinese Taipei and officially called the Republic of China, the island of Taiwan is surrounded by major trading partners in the People’s Republic of China to its west, Japan to its east and the Philippines to its south.

Taiwan exported $477.8 billion worth of exported products around the globe in 2022. That dollar amount reflects a 43% gain compared to $334.2 billion during 2018.

Year over year, the overall value of Taiwanese exported goods improved by 6.8% from $447.6 billion in 2021.

Applying a continental lens, 70.6% of Taiwan’s exports by value was delivered to fellow Asian countries while 17.5% was sold to importers in North America.

Taiwan exported another 8.6% worth of goods to Europe.

Tinier percentages went to Oceania (1.9%) led by Australia, Latin America (0.8%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean then Africa (0.6%).

Taiwan’s Top Trading Partners

Below is a list showcasing 25 of Taiwan’s top trading partners, countries that imported the most Taiwanese shipments by dollar value during 2022. Also shown is each import country’s percentage of total Taiwanese exports.

1. mainland China: US$120.7 billion (25.3% of Taiwan’s total exports)
2. United States: $74.9 billion (15.7%)
3. Hong Kong: $64.6 billion (13.5%)
4. Japan: $33.5 billion (7%)
5. Singapore: $29.4 billion (6.2%)
6. South Korea: $22.1 billion (4.6%)
7. Malaysia: $17 billion (3.6%)
8. Vietnam: $14.5 billion (3%)
9. Netherlands: $8.82 billion (1.8%)
10. Germany: $8.78 billion (1.8%)
11. Philippines: $7.6 billion (1.6%)
12. Thailand: $7.53 billion (1.6%)
13. Australia: $7.51 billion (1.6%)
14. India: $5.3 billion (1.1%)
15. Mexico: $4.8 billion (1%)
16. United Kingdom: $4 billion (0.8%)
17. Canada: $3.3 billion (0.7%)
18. Indonesia: $3.2 billion (0.7%)
19. Italy: $2.9 billion (0.6%)
20. Belgium: $2.7 billion (0.6%)
21. France: $1.94 billion (0.4%)
22. Bangladesh: $1.8 billion (0.4%)
23. Spain: $1.7 billion (0.4%)
24. Türkiye: $1.6 billion (0.3%)
25. United Arab Emirates: $1.4 billion (0.3%)

Well over nine-tenths (94.5%) of Taiwanese exports in 2022 were delivered to the above 25 trade partners.

Taiwan’s most valuable exported products to mainland China are electronic integrated circuits and other electrical components. In contrast, Taiwan’s leading export to the United States of America are computers and computerized machinery units.

Among Taiwan’s leading customers, Australia increased its purchases of products exported by Taiwan at the fastest pace from 2021 to 2022 via an 55.9% gain. Other leading increases belong to Bangladesh (up 46.2%), Mexico (up 28.6%), Malaysia (up 26.9%), Philippines (up 25%), France (up 21.1%), then India (up 16.9%).

Belgium: Down by -0.2% (US$2.7 billion)

United Kingdom: Down by -2.9% (US$4.0 billion)

mainland China: Down by -4.4% (US$120.7 billion)

There was a trio of year-over-year decliners compared to 2021. These were mainland China (down -4.4%), United Kingdom (down -2.9%) and Belgium (down -0.2%).

Countries Causing Biggest Trade Deficits for Taiwan

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$20.9 billion (country-specific trade deficit in 2022)
2. Australia: -$17.1 billion
3. South Korea: -$12.1 billion
4. Saudi Arabia: -$10.4 billion
5. Indonesia: -$8 billion
6. Kuwait: -$6.8 billion
7. Germany: -$5.41 billion
8. United Arab Emirates: -$5.24 billion
9. Russia: -$4.1 billion
10. Qatar: -$3.9 billion

Among Taiwan’s trading partners that cause the greatest negative trade balances, Taiwanese deficits with Australia (up 68.2%), Indonesia (up 64.8%) and Kuwait (up 54.2%) grew at the fastest pace from 2021 to 2022.

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.

Countries Generating Greatest Trade Surpluses for Taiwan

Taiwan won a total $41.3 billion trade surplus from all products bought and sold on international markets during 2022, down -36.1% from the $64.6 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$63.1 billion (country-specific trade surplus in 2022)
2. China: $37 billion
3. United States: $29.2 billion
4. Singapore: $16.9 billion
5. Vietnam: $7.6 billion
6. Philippines: $4.5 billion
7. Malaysia: $3.5 billion
8. Mexico: $2.9 billion
9. India: $2.2 billion
10. Belgium: $1.8 billion

Among Taiwan’s trading partners that generate the greatest positive trade balances, Taiwanese surpluses with Malaysia (up 125.9%), India (up 60.9%) and the Philippines (up 47.3%) grew at the fastest pace from 2021 to 2022.

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.

Major 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)

 

See also Taiwan’s Top 10 Major Export Companies, Taiwan’s Top 10 Imports, Taiwan’s Top 10 Exports and China’s Top 10 Imports

Research Sources:
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Country Profiles, Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed on March 31, 2023

Forbes Global 2000 rankings, The World’s Biggest Public Companies. Accessed on March 31, 2023

IMPORTERS.com The Online Market for G20 Importers, Taiwan Import Export Directory. Accessed on March 31, 2023

International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on March 31, 2023

Investopedia, Net Exports Definition. Accessed on March 31, 2023

Wikipedia, List of Companies of Taiwan. Accessed on March 31, 2023

Zepol’s company summary highlights by country. Accessed on March 31, 2023