Taiwan April export orders beat forecasts, but outlook cautious on US tariffs
TAIPEI, May 20 (Reuters) - Taiwan's export orders rose more than expected in April, as customers stockpiled the island's technology products ahead of worldwide tariffs imposed, and then partially rescinded, in the same month by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Export orders jumped 19.8% in April on the year to $56.4 billion for a third successive monthly gain, the economic affairs ministry said on Tuesday, exceeding analysts' expectations of an increase of 10.0%.
Orders for goods from Taiwan, home to the world's largest contract chipmaker TSMC (2330.TW), opens new tab and other tech companies, are considered a bellwether of global technology demand.
Earlier in May, TSMC reported that April sales soared 48.1% on the year to T$349.57 billion ($11.58 billion).
Trade-dependent Taiwan's export performance this year could be substantially affected if Trump follows through with his tariff plans, however.
The ministry said orders for April had been rushed in, probably ahead of any U.S. tariffs, so explaining the expectation-beating performance.
The ministry said it saw order momentum being supported by AI and high-performance computing.
However, it warned in a statement, "Uncertainty has increased over recent global economic and political situations and geopolitical risks," calling for close attention and a careful response to the matter.
For May, the ministry said it expected export orders to rise between 12.5% and 16.6% on the year.
Taiwan's orders in April for telecoms products were up 20.0%on the year, while those for electronic products gained 35.0%.
Overall orders from China were up 5.7%, versus a slide of 5.3% in March.
Orders from the United States rose 30.3%, similar to a surge of 30.7% the prior month.
Orders from Europe rose 10.5% in April, and those from Japan grew 16.3%.
($1=30.1770 Taiwan dollars)
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