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

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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.

Apple Nears $4 Trillion Valuation as iPhone 17 Demand Surges in China and U.S.

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Apple shares soared 4.2% to $262.9 on Monday, pushing the tech giant’s market capitalization to $3.9 trillion — within striking distance of becoming the third company ever to hit $4 trillion. The surge follows stronger-than-expected early sales of the iPhone 17 series, which has outperformed its predecessor across key markets.

Data from Counterpoint Research showed that iPhone 17 sales in China and the United States were 14% higher during the first 10 days compared to the iPhone 16 launch, signaling renewed momentum for Apple’s flagship product. The rally places Apple just behind AI-chip leader Nvidia, now the world’s most valuable company.

Brokerage Evercore ISI added Apple to its Tactical Outperform List, predicting that the company will exceed quarterly forecasts and issue optimistic guidance for the December period. Analysts pointed to robust online orders in China, where delivery times suggest particularly strong early demand.

Apple’s September launch introduced an upgraded iPhone lineup, including the slimmer iPhone Air, while keeping prices stable despite U.S. tariff pressures. “The demand trends are clearly on the front foot again,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B Riley Wealth.

After struggling earlier this year due to weakness in China and tariff concerns, Apple’s stock has rebounded since August, buoyed by its $100 billion U.S. investment plan aimed at mitigating trade risks. If the rally holds, Monday will mark Apple’s largest one-day gain in four weeks, setting the stage for its October 30 earnings report.

Malaysia warns U.S. chip tariff changes could disrupt global supply chains

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Malaysia has warned that any move by the United States to remove tariff exemptions on its semiconductor exports could hurt competitiveness and strain global supply chains, according to an economic outlook report released with the country’s 2026 budget.

The warning follows President Donald Trump’s decision in August to impose a 19% tariff on Malaysian exports to the U.S., with semiconductors temporarily exempt pending a national security review. Trump has also proposed a 100% tariff on imported chips, excluding firms with existing or planned U.S. manufacturing facilities.

“Any removal of the semiconductor exemptions could result in repercussions, reduce competitiveness and strain sectors that are closely integrated with U.S. supply chains,” Malaysia’s government said. The Southeast Asian nation is the world’s sixth-largest semiconductor exporter and a crucial link in global chip assembly and testing.

The report estimates that the tariffs could reduce Malaysia’s GDP growth by 0.76 percentage points, while trade volumes are expected to contract next year. The government had already lowered its 2025 growth forecast to between 4% and 4.8%, from a previous 4.5%–5.5% range, citing escalating trade tensions. For 2026, it expects growth between 4% and 4.5%.

Economists say the tariff uncertainty threatens to disrupt Asia’s semiconductor supply network, which supports major American chipmakers like Intel and Texas Instruments that rely on Malaysia for downstream production.