Taiwan's Stainless Steel Export Performance – April 2025 Analysis

According to the latest customs data released on May 10, 2025, Taiwan exported a total of 74,500 metric tons of stainless steel plates, coils, and finished products in April — marking a 12.1% decline compared to the previous month.

Several key factors have contributed to this contraction:

1. Impact of International Trade Policies

Although stainless steel coils from Taiwan are not listed under the United States' 32% tariff regime for anti-dumping and countervailing duties, the broader tariff tensions have created a cautious sentiment among American buyers and downstream processors.As a result, procurement activities slowed significantly, weighing on Taiwan's stainless steel shipments to the U.S. market.

2. Stringent Local Melt Rate Requirements in Export Markets

Following in the footsteps of Mexico and Canada, the European Union has tightened requirements for stainless steel imports by demanding local melt rate certification.Given that much of Taiwan's raw material originates from Indonesia, European buyers expressed concerns over origin compliance, prompting many to suspend new orders pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.This shift has notably disrupted Taiwan's exports to two of its largest markets — Europe and North America.

3. Currency Appreciation Pressure

Since early April, the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) has appreciated sharply by 6.8% to 10%, significantly impacting export competitiveness.As Taiwanese stainless steel products are predominantly priced in TWD, the stronger currency has effectively increased international prices, undermining Taiwan’s cost advantage.

Moreover, the currency appreciation has compressed profit margins for exporters.With tighter margins, companies found it increasingly difficult to absorb costs or offer aggressive pricing strategies, further exacerbating the downward trend in export volumes.

Conclusion

The combination of external trade barriers, regulatory scrutiny, and unfavorable currency movements presents a challenging landscape for Taiwan’s stainless steel industry.

Moving forward, market players will need to adopt flexible strategies, reinforce compliance transparency, and explore new emerging markets to mitigate risks and sustain growth.