Taiwan

U.S.-Taiwan Trade Facts

U.S. goods and services trade with Taiwan totaled $85 billion in 2011. Exports totaled $37 billion; Imports totaled $48 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade deficit with Taiwan was $11.5 billion in 2011.

Taiwan is currently our 10th largest goods trading partner with $67 billion in total (two ways) goods trade during 2011. Goods exports totaled $26 billion; Goods imports totaled $41 billion. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Taiwan was $15 billion in 2011.

Trade in services with Taiwan (exports and imports) totaled $17 billion in 2011 (preliminary data). Services exports were $11 billion; Services imports were $7 billion. The U.S. services trade surplus with Taiwan was $4 billion in 2011.

Exports

Taiwan was the United States' 15th largest goods export market in 2011.

U.S. goods exports to Taiwan in 2011 were $25.9 billion, down 0.6% ($145 million) from 2010, and up 6.2% from 2000. U.S. exports to Taiwan accounted for 1.7% of overall U.S. exports in 2011.

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2011 were: Electrical Machinery ($5.0 billion), Machinery ($4.6 billion), Iron and Steel ($1.9 billion), Optic and Medical Instruments ($1.9 billion), and Organic Chemicals ($1.4 billion).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to Taiwan totaled $3.6 billion in 2011, the 6th largest U.S. Ag export market. Leading categories include: coarse grains ($810 million), soybeans ($704 million), wheat ($398 million), red meats fresh/chilled/frozen ($251 million), fresh fruit ($180 million), and cotton ($175 million).

U.S. exports of private commercial services* (i.e., excluding military and government) to Taiwan were $10.7 billion in 2011 (preliminary data), 15% ($1.4 billion) more than 2010 and up 132% from 2000 level. Royalties and license fees and other private services (business, professional and technical services and education) categories accounted for most of U.S. services exports to Taiwan.

Imports

Taiwan was the United States' 10th largest supplier of goods imports in 2011.

U.S. goods imports from Taiwan totaled $41.3 billion in 2011, a 15.3% increase ($5.5 billion) from 2010, and up 2.0% from 2000. U.S. imports from Taiwan account for 1.9% of overall U.S. imports in 2010.

The five largest import categories in 2011 were: Electrical Machinery ($18.1 billion), Machinery ($6.5 billion), Iron and Steel Products (screws, bolts, nuts) ($2.2 billion), Vehicles ($2.2 billion), and Plastic ($1.5 billion).

U.S. imports of agricultural products from Taiwan totaled $294 million in 2011. Leading categories include: nursery products and cut flowers ($51 million), snack foods (including chocolate) ($36 million), and processed fruit and vegetables ($30 million).

U.S. imports of private commercial services* (i.e., excluding military and government) were $6.8 billion in 2011 (preliminary data), up 7% ($465 million) from 2010, and up 132% from 2000 level. Royalties and license fees, other private services (business, professional, and technical services), and other transportation (freight) categories accounted for most of U.S. services imports from Taiwan.

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade deficit with Taiwan was $15.4 billion in 2011, a 57.4 % increase ($5.6 billion) from 2010.

The United States had a services trade surplus of $3.9 billion with Taiwan in 2011 (preliminary data), up 31% from 2010.

Historical Trade Data

U.S. Goods Trade with Taiwan (in billions of dollars)

U.S. Services Trade with Taiwan (in billions of dollars) 1994, 2000, 2005-2011

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Taiwan (stock) was $21.0 billion in 2010 (latest data available), a 9.0% increase over 2009.

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 $5.2 billion in 2010 (latest data available), up 14.7% from 2009.

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

Sales of services in Taiwan by majority U.S.-owned affiliates were $8.9 billion in 2009 (latest data available), while sales of services in the United States by majority Taiwanese-owned firms were not available ($2.1 billion in 2008).

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