Taiwan’s trade surplus widened to USD 22.3 billion in August 2026 from USD 16.8 billion a year earlier, its largest since October 2025, as exports rose 41.0% to an all-time monthly record of USD 82.4 billion. The gain, which exceeded market expectations and accelerated from July, extended annual export growth to 34 consecutive months, matching the longest streak recorded since the 2000s. Demand for artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and cloud applications supported semiconductor and server shipments despite concerns over inflation, energy costs and geopolitical risks. Electronic components exports climbed 58% to USD 32.216 billion, while information and communication products rose 41.8% to USD 33.1 billion. The two categories accounted for 79.3% of total exports and 90% of export growth. Imports increased 44.3% to USD 60.1 billion as AI-related supply-chain activity expanded. The Ministry of Finance forecasts September export growth of about 42% to 48%, which would extend the expansion streak to 35 months.