Taiwan trims 2025 GDP growth forecast, cites US tariffs uncertainty
[TAIPEI] Taiwan's trade-reliant economy is expected to grow at a slightly slower pace in 2025 than previously forecast, weighed down by uncertainty over possible US tariffs.
Taiwan is a key hub in the global technology supply chain for companies such as Apple and Nvidia, and home to the world's largest contract chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC).
Taiwan's gross domestic product for this year is now expected to be 3.1 per cent higher than last year, the agency said, revising downward the 3.14 per cent forecast it issued in February.
That would also be lower than the 4.59 per cent growth rate for 2024.
Exports this year are expected to grow 8.99 per cent, the agency said, upgrading a previous forecast of 7.08 per cent.
For the first quarter of this year, GDP expanded by 5.48 per cent, the agency said, compared with a preliminary reading of 5.37 per cent.
The first quarter's performance marked the fastest rate since the first quarter of 2024 when the economy expanded 6.64 per cent.
The statistics agency also slashed the 2025 consumer price index (CPI) forecast to 1.88 per cent from the previous 1.94 per cent. REUTERS
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