Taiwan’s imports surged 54.9% year-on-year in May 2026 to a record USD 60.6 billion, accelerating sharply from April’s 29.2% growth and far exceeding market expectations of 37.4%. All major import categories expanded, led by electronic components (66.9%), information, communication and audio-visual products (118%), mineral products (70.2%), machinery (24.8%), and chemicals (32.9%).
By source, imports increased most notably from Mainland China and Hong Kong (48.4%), ASEAN (123.6%), South Korea (73.3%), the United States (13.6%), Japan (27.4%), and Europe (22.8%). Imports from the Middle East also rebounded, rising 22.7% after a 42% plunge in April.
Over the January–May period, total imports reached USD 256.6 billion, up 37.8% from the same period a year earlier.
