Taiwan’s global trade performance continues to improve with the country notching up a gain of 38.79 percent in value for 2010, according to the latest World Trade Organization statistics released April 7.
The WTO said Taiwan moved up one spot to become the world’s 16th largest exporter, with exports of US$275 billion, 1.8 percent of the total. It was also the 17th biggest importer, bringing in US$251 billion of merchandise goods, or 1.6 percent.
WTO data shows that world exports of merchandise goods grew 22.29 percent to US$15.24 trillion, while imports rose 21.58 percent to US$15.38 trillion.
Taiwan’s Bureau of Trade was optimistic about the results, attributing them to continuously increasing demand for consumer electronics from advanced countries and the sustained recovery of emerging economies.
“These figures confirm that Taiwan is one of the major beneficiaries of strengthening global trade,” said BOFT Deputy Director-General Chang Chun-fu.
Taiwan’s 35-percent gain in export value trailed only Australia at 38 percent. The rise of 44 percent in import value was second only to Indonesia with 46 percent.
In terms of commercial services, Taiwan ranked 24th in exports and 28th in imports, up from 27th and 29th, respectively, the previous year. Annual growth rates were 29 percent and 28 percent in the two categories, compared with the global averages of 8 percent and 9 percent.
Mainland China retained its position as the world’s leading merchandise exporter last year, with exports of US$1.58 trillion, 10.4 percent of the total, followed by the U.S. with an 8.4 percent share at US$1.28 trillion.
The U.S was the biggest importer in 2010, bringing in US$1.97 trillion of merchandise goods, 12.8 percent of the total. Mainland China was second with US$1.4 trillion, or 9.1 percent. (JSM)
Write to Meg Chang at meg.chang@mail.gio.gov.tw