ECONOMY

Taiwan’s exports reached US$87.22 billion in September, up 60.9% year on year and marking a monthly record for the second consecutive month. Strong demand for AI chips, electronic components and information products helped drive the increase, while exports to the US jumped 106.2%.

The US trade deficit widened 13.7% month on month to US$105.6 billion in August, while imports reached a record high as strong domestic demand and AI infrastructure investment boosted demand for semiconductors, equipment and other electronic products.

Reuters reports that demand for AI servers, semiconductors and data center equipment is driving improvements in manufacturing in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan, while China continues to face weak domestic demand and a depressed property market.

High oil prices, a stronger US dollar and rising US Treasury yields are prompting investors to take a bearish view on most Asian currencies, according to a Reuters poll. The South Korean won and Malaysian ringgit are showing relatively stronger support.