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Taiwan’s September Export Orders Surge 30.5% on Soaring Global AI Demand

Taiwan’s export orders surged far beyond expectations in September, climbing 30.5% year-on-year to $70.22 billion, as booming global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) technology continued to drive growth. It marked the eighth consecutive monthly increase, reaffirming Taiwan’s central role in the global semiconductor and tech supply chain.

The results, released by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, easily beat analysts’ forecasts of a 17.8% gain. The ministry credited the island’s expanding importance in AI and high-performance computing, sectors anchored by leading chipmakers such as TSMC, the world’s largest contract semiconductor manufacturer.

While global trade uncertainties and newly imposed 20% U.S. tariffs have weighed on outlooks, Taiwan’s government said the measure is temporary as negotiations continue with Washington for more favorable trade terms. The ministry expects momentum to remain strong through the fourth-quarter holiday season, traditionally a peak period for electronics and consumer technology exports.

Orders for electronic products jumped 45.9%, while telecommunications equipment rose 33.1%. By region, orders from the United States soared 40.2%, China climbed 11.6% after a brief decline in August, Europe gained 16.9%, and Japan increased 22.8%.

The ministry projected export orders for October to rise between 23.7% and 27.3%, adding that total full-year export value could reach a record high if AI-related demand remains strong.

TSMC lifts full-year revenue forecast on soaring AI demand

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) raised its full-year revenue forecast on Thursday, signaling confidence in the ongoing AI megatrend after posting record quarterly profits that beat expectations.

The world’s largest contract chipmaker now expects mid-30% revenue growth in 2025, up from its previous forecast of around 30%. The company cited booming demand for AI chips, which continues to exceed earlier projections.

“AI demand actually continues to be very strong — stronger than we thought three months ago,” CEO C.C. Wei told investors. “We are also receiving very strong signals from our customers requesting capacity to support their business.”

TSMC reported a 39.1% rise in third-quarter net profit to T$452.3 billion ($14.76 billion), surpassing analysts’ estimates of T$417.7 billion, according to LSEG SmartEstimate data. The company said it remains “prudent” in planning for 2026 amid global trade uncertainty.

The Taiwanese chipmaker supplies giants such as Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom, all of whom are expanding their investments in AI-driven data centers. Recent multi-billion-dollar partnerships between OpenAI, chipmakers, and infrastructure providers have reinforced expectations of sustained semiconductor demand.

Despite trade tensions and U.S. tariffs, Wei said he remained optimistic: “Even if the China market was not available, AI’s growth will still be very dramatic.”

TSMC’s shares have risen 38% in 2025, outpacing Taiwan’s broader market, reflecting investor confidence that the company remains central to the global AI hardware boom.

TSMC lifts revenue forecast on surging AI chip demand after record profit

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world’s largest chipmaker, raised its full-year revenue forecast after reporting a record quarterly profit, citing booming demand for artificial intelligence chips. The results reinforced investor confidence in the AI megatrend, which continues to drive growth across the semiconductor industry despite fears of overheating.

TSMC said it now expects 2025 revenue to grow in the mid-30% range in U.S. dollar terms, up from its previous forecast of around 30%. The company maintained its capital expenditure outlook at up to $42 billion for 2025. “AI demand continues to be stronger than we expected three months ago,” CEO C.C. Wei told analysts, adding that customer requests for expanded capacity remain high.

The company’s robust performance comes amid a flurry of billion-dollar partnerships between AI developers and chipmakers, including OpenAI’s collaborations with Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom to build massive data center capacity. TSMC manufactures chips for all three, as well as for Apple.

In the July–September quarter, TSMC’s net profit surged 39.1% year-on-year to T$452.3 billion ($14.76 billion), easily beating market expectations of T$417.7 billion. Wei said the company remains confident that demand for leading-edge semiconductors is “real” and will continue through 2026, despite geopolitical uncertainties and potential U.S. tariffs on chip imports.

TSMC shares have risen 38% this year, far outpacing Taiwan’s broader market, as the company cements its dominance in the global AI supply chain.