An electronic chip production line. Việt Nam spent US$6 billion on importing computers and electronic products from Taiwan (China) in the first two quarters of the year. — VNA/VNS Photo

Computers, electronic products and components were the largest imports of Việt Nam from Taiwan (China), reaching a value of US$6 billion, a 27 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

According to statistics from the General Department of Customs, trade between Việt Nam and Taiwan (China) totalled $13 billion in the first six months of the year, an 18 per cent increase year-on-year. Việt Nam recorded a trade deficit of $7.5 billion with this market, up by $1.07 billion from the same period last year.

Regarding imports, Việt Nam spent $10.2 billion on goods from Taiwan, a 17 per cent increase year-on-year. Computers, electronic products and components accounted for 58 per cent of the total import value, amounting to $6 billion, a 27 per cent increase.

Apart from computers and electronic products, Việt Nam imported 36 main items from Taiwan. Ten of these items had an import value exceeding $100 million, totalling $3.5 billion.

Việt Nam spent $724 million on fabric imports, a 7 per cent increase year-on-year and $660 million on machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts, an 8 per cent increase. Imports of plastic materials reached $583 million, a 13 per cent increase, iron and steel reached $338 million, a 21 per cent increase, cameras, camcorders and components reached $250 million, a 0.9 per cent decrease, chemicals reached $285 million, an 8 per cent decrease and chemical products reached $255 million, a 17 per cent increase.

Among the 36 main import items from Taiwan, 12 items saw a decrease in value, while 24 items experienced an increase year-on-year. Scrap iron and steel saw the highest increase at 187 per cent, while glass and glass products saw the steepest decline at 73 per cent.

Regarding exports, Việt Nam's exports to Taiwan reached $2.72 billion in the first half of 2024, a 20 per cent increase year-on-year. Việt Nam exported 39 main items to Taiwan, six of which had a value exceeding $100 million, totalling $1.58 billion and accounting for 27 per cent of the total export value.

Computers, electronic products and components were the largest export items, reaching $607 million, a 21 per cent increase. Machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts were the second largest, at $346 million, a 22 per cent increase.

Phones and components reached $213 million, a 32 per cent increase, iron and steel reached $189 million, a 71 per cent increase and iron and steel products reached $115 million, a 93 per cent increase. Textiles and garments were the only items to see a decrease in export value, at $112 million, a 7 per cent decrease. — VNS