Taiwan: Merchandise exports grow at a still-rapid pace in December
Latest reading: Merchandise exports climbed 9.2% on an annual basis in December (November: +9.7% year-on-year), well above market expectations. IT and electronics exports continued to lead the upturn. Meanwhile, merchandise imports soared 30.4% in annual terms in December (November: +19.8% yoy), marking the strongest reading since June 2024.
As a result, the merchandise trade balance deteriorated from the previous month, recording a USD 6.1 billion surplus in December (November 2024: USD 7.9 billion surplus; December 2023: USD 11.2 billion surplus). Lastly, the trend deteriorated, with the 12-month trailing merchandise trade balance recording a USD 80.6 billion surplus in December, compared to the USD 85.7 billion surplus in November.