Trading Partner Portal: Taiwan
US/California Economic Relations with Taiwan Remain Strong at Pivotal Time
CalChamber, September 15, 2026
Quarterly Report on Intellectual Property Rights Protection in Taiwan
Intellectual Property Office, Ministry of Economic Affairs, April – January 2026
Remarks by AIT Chair Rosenberger at the California Chamber of Commerce International Trade Forum
American Institute in Taiwan, May 8, 2024
Trade Overview
The rapid economic rise of Taiwan, also known as Chinese Taipei, during the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st century is attributable to its strong emphasis on trade. Strong export sectors include electronics, machinery, and petrochemicals.
Taiwan boasts a population of 23.8 million, with a net trade surplus and has the world’s fifth largest foreign reserves. GDP in 2025 was $920.05 billion.
Taiwan is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia Development Bank, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. It also has observer status in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
U.S. – Taiwan Trade
Two-way goods trade between Taiwan and the U.S. totaled $256.09 billion in 2025.Taiwan is the 10th largest export market for the U.S. with exports to Taiwan equaling $54.67 billion. Top export categories included computer and electronic products ($2.63 billion), non-electrical machinery ($7.50 billion), oil and gas ($6.60 billion), transportation equipment ($4.39 billion), and chemicals ($3.36 billion). The U.S. is Taiwan’s second largest trading partner and a key destination for Taiwanese investors.
The U.S. imported a total of $201.42 billion in 2025 from Taiwan, with computer and electronic products being the majority of the total at $162.03 billion. Other top imports being non-electrical machinery ($8.12 billion), fabricated metal products ($6.28 billion), electrical equipment, appliance & equipment ($4.80 billion), and transportation equipment ($4.32 billion).
Services trade between Taiwan and the U.S. totaled $28.28 billion in 2025, with exports from the U.S. totaling $14.9 billion. Top exports were travel, transport, charges for intellectual property use, other business services, and maintenance and repair services.
Services imports from Taiwan to the U.S. totaled $13.38 billion, with top imports from Taiwan to the U.S. being transport, travel, other business services, telecommunications, computer and information services, and financial services.
California – Taiwan Trade
California exported over $14.3 billion to Taiwan in 2025, an over fifty percent increase from $9.56 billion in 2024. Top categories included computer and electronic products ($8.02 billion), non-electrical machinery ($1.86 billion), transportation equipment ($1.38 billion), electrical equipment, appliances, & components ($484 million), and other special classification provisions ($455 million). California is the number one exporter to Taiwan out of all U.S. states, and Taiwan is the second largest import market for California.
California imported a total of $63.47 billion from Taiwan in 2025. Top imports included computer and electronic products ($53.26 billion), non-electronical machinery ($2.31 billion), electrical equipment, appliances and components ($1.70 billion), fabricated metals products ($1.07 billion), and transportation equipment ($918 million).
FDI – Taiwan
U.S. FDI in Taiwan was $17.6 billion in 2025, while Taiwanese FDI into the U.S. was $19.8 billion in the same year. Taiwanese FDI in the U.S. supported 24,500 U.S. jobs, $193 million in research and development, and contributed $3.2 billion to expanding U.S. exports. The top industry sectors for Taiwanese FDI were semiconductors, business machines, electronic components, software and IT services, industrial equipment, and chemicals. Select USA
In California, Taiwan is the tenth largest source of FDI through foreign-owned enterprises (FOEs). In 2025, Taiwanese FOEs in California provided 21,666 jobs through 440 firms amounting to $2.75 billion in wages. The top jobs by sector are wholesale trade, professional/business services, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, & utilities, and leisure & hospitality (World Trade Center Los Angeles FDI Report).
Articles:
U.S., Taiwan Strengthen Ties at Inaugural Trade Meeting in Washington
CalChamber, June 28, 2022
Interview Series Featuring California’s Key Trading Partners – Featuring Ming-Chi Scott Lai, TECO Director General in San Francisco:
Shared Interest in High Tech, Ag Products Elements in Close Economic Collaboration
CalChamber, August 21, 2020
Forum Examines Role of Taiwan, U.S. in Post-Pandemic Supply Chain Restructuring
CalChamber, December 8, 2020
CalChamber Resources
- American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei
- Taipei Economic & Cultural Offices (TECO) in California
- International Trade FAQs
- GO-Biz Stats: Taiwanese FDI in CA
Business
- California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
- U.S. Commercial Service Taiwan
- American Institute in Taiwan
- Taipei International Trade Shows
- Taiwan External Trade Development Council
- Taiwan Trade Center, SF
- Taiwan Trade Center, LA
Cultural/Educational
A Golden Opportunity for a U.S.-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement
The Project 2049 Institute, February 2019