Taiwan

Taiwan FlagU.S.-Taiwan Trade Facts

U.S. goods and services trade with Taiwan totaled $59 billion in 2009 (latest data available for goods and services trade combined). Exports totaled $25 billion; Imports totaled $34 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade deficit with Taiwan was $9 billion in 2009.

Taiwan is currently our 9th largest goods trading partner with $62 billion in total (two ways) goods trade during 2010. Goods exports totaled $26 billion; Goods imports totaled $36 billion. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Taiwan was $10 billion in 2010.

Trade in services with Taiwan (exports and imports) totaled $11.6 billion in 2009 (latest data available for services trade). Services exports were $6.5 billion; Services imports were $5.1 billion. The U.S. services trade surplus with Taiwan was $1.3 billion in 2009.

Exports

Taiwan was the United States' 13th largest goods export market in 2010.

U.S. goods exports to Taiwan in 2010 were $26.0 billion, up 40.8% ($7.5 billion) from 2009, and up 52% from 1994 (the year prior to Uruguay Round). U.S. exports to Taiwan accounted for 2.0% of overall U.S. exports in 2010.

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2010 were: Machinery ($5.9 billion), Electrical Machinery ($4.6 billion), Optic and Medical Instruments ($2.0 billion), Aircraft and Spacecraft ($1.3 billion), and Iron and Steel ($1.3 billion).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to Taiwan totaled $3.2 billion in 2010, the 6th largest U.S. Ag export market. Leading categories include: soybeans ($653 million), coarse grains ($613 million), red meats fresh/chilled/frozen ($270 million), wheat ($230 million), and hides and skins ($171 million).

U.S. exports of private commercial services* (i.e., excluding military and government) to Taiwan were $6.5 billion in 2009 (latest data available), 4.9% ($304 million) more than 2008 and up 56% from 1994 level. The other private services (business, professional and technical services and education) and royalties and license fees categories accounted for most of U.S. services exports to Taiwan in 2009.

Imports

Taiwan was the United States' 9th largest supplier of goods imports in 2010.

U.S. goods imports from Taiwan totaled $35.9 billion in 2010, a 26.6% increase ($7.5 billion) from 2009, and up 34% over the last 16 years. U.S. imports from Taiwan account for 1.9% of overall U.S. imports in 2010.

The five largest import categories in 2010 were: Electrical Machinery ($15.7 billion), Machinery ($5.2 billion), Vehicles ($1.9 billion), Iron and Steel Products (screws, bolts, nuts) ($1.8 billion), and Plastic ($1.3 billion).

U.S. imports of agricultural products from Taiwan totaled $248 million in 2010. Leading categories include: nursery products and cut flowers ($42 million), snack foods (including chocolate) ($30 million), and processed fruit and vegetables ($29 million).

U.S. imports of private commercial services* (i.e., excluding military and government) were $5.1 billion in 2009 (latest data available), down 21.3% ($1.4 billion) from 2008, but up 94% from 1994 level. Other transportation (port services) and passenger fares categories accounted for most of U.S. services imports from Taiwan.

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade deficit with Taiwan was $9.9 billion in 2010, the same as 2009.

The United States had a services trade surplus of $1.3 billion with Taiwan in 2009 (latest data available).

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Taiwan (stock) was $19.5 billion in 2009 (latest data available), a 8.1% increase over 2008.

U.S. direct investment in Taiwan is mostly in the finance/insurance, manufacturing, and wholesale trade sectors.

Taiwan FDI in the United States (stock) was $4.2 billion in 2009 (latest data available), up 7.5% from 2008.

Taiwan direct investment in the U.S. is mostly in the wholesale trade, manufacturing and banking sectors.

Sales of services in Taiwan by majority U.S.-owned affiliates were $10.7 billion in 2008 (latest data available), while sales of services in the United States by majority Taiwanese-owned firms were $2.2 billion.

*NOTE: Refers to private services trade not including U.S. military sales, direct defense expenditures, and other miscellaneous U.S. government services.