Export growth slowed Last month from November as US customers reduced orders after the slowest Christmas-sales period in 30 years.
Exports gained 13.5 percent from a year earlier to US$11.7 billion, after rising 17.1 percent in November, a Ministry of Finance report showed.
Shipments from Taiwan may slow further in coming months as US stores clear inventories left over from the holiday season.
"US customers will be less willing to place orders until they've worked down their stocks," said Wayne Huang, an economist at President Securities Corp (統一證券). "Slowing exports in the first quarter will impact the nation's economic growth."
Even as export growth faltered last month, Taiwan's trade surplus for last year widened 16 percent to US$18.05 billion, up 15.5 percent year-on-year, the ministry said. The nation's exports for last year grew 6.3 percent, compared with a contraction of 17.2 percent in 2001.
Imports rose 16.9 percent in December from a year earlier to US$9.9 billion, and rose 5 percent for the year, the ministry said.
Taiwan is relying on an export-led revival to spur the nation's economic recovery. In November, the government forecast economic growth of 3.27 percent for last year, following the nation's worst recession on record the previous year. It predicted growth of 3.38 percent this year.
While economic growth in the US stalls, China is picking up the slack, helping boost the island's exports. Shipments to China surged 161 percent last month from a year earlier to US$1.2 billion. Shipments to Hong Kong rose 12 percent to US$2.7 billion.
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