8 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · Apr 30
The January-March rise, the strongest since 1987, beat a Wall Street Journal poll forecast of 11.3% as exports of goods and services jumped 35.25%.
AI-linked demand for chips, memory, advanced packaging, power and data centres lifted the tech-heavy economy, while private consumption rose 4.9% and Capital Economics raised its 2026 growth forecast to 9.0%.
Risks remain from the Middle East war, which has disrupted Strait of Hormuz shipping, threatened fuel and helium supplies, and could raise costs for semiconductor makers including TSMC.
Can Taiwan’s AI-fueled boom survive a critical gas shortage triggered by the Middle East war?
Is Taiwan's 'Silicon Shield' a strategic asset or a global economic liability amid the push to reshore chip production?