TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's economy is projected to grow by 3.54% in 2026, with AI remaining a crucial driver, officials announced Monday (Dec. 15). The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) (主計總處), under the Executive Yuan, Taiwan's cabinet, released the forecast. Minister Ming-Hsin Kung (龔明鑫) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) emphasized AI's central role in sustaining Taiwan's economic momentum. The announcement came at the 2026 Taiwan Economic Forum, where officials outlined the nation's economic outlook.
Kung noted at the forum that the impact of U.S. tariffs on Taiwanese industries has eased. The minister emphasized that AI will continue to be central to the global supply chain, contributing to potential upward growth in the economy next year. Kung shared that the chairman of a business association believes the 3.54% growth rate is merely a baseline, and he agreed with this assessment.
Kung stressed Taiwan's commitment to strengthening ties with international partners, building on its existing industrial strengths in semiconductor and technology manufacturing. The nation plans to promote cooperation in Japan, Europe, and the U.S. to expand its role in global supply chains. Taiwan will continue to be a vital support for the global supply chain, with global supply chain structures having undergone significant shifts since 2018 as countries prioritize resilience and core control, particularly in the post-pandemic era. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.2)