U.S. December imports from Taiwan surpass Beijing as shipments plunge 44%

2026-02-20 00:10:27 ET

• For the first time in decades, the United States imported more goods from Taiwan than from China , as President Donald Trump ’s tariffs reshape trade flows.
• US purchases of goods from China plunged almost 44% in December from a year earlier to $21.1 billion, Commerce Department data showed Thursday. By contrast, shipments from Taiwan more than doubled during the same period to $24.7 billion.
• The deficit with China decreased $93.4 billion to $202.1 billion in 2025. Exports decreased $36.9 billion to $106.3 billion and imports decreased $130.4 billion to $308.4 billion.
• The deficit with Taiwan meanwhile, increased $73.0 billion to $146.8 billion in 2025. Exports increased $12.1 billion to $54.7 billion and imports increased $85.2 billion to $201.4 billion.
• Overall, U.S. trade deficit continued to widen in December after hitting the smallest monthly amount since the 2009 low in October.