Taiwan: Trade Profile Shaped by Bilateral Trade with China

Taiwan, an island off the southwestern coast of China, is the most populous state and largest economy that is not a member of the United Nations. Today, Taiwan is home to 23.7 million people, a population comparable to that of Xinjiang, Beijing, and Shanghai. Despite a recent economic slowdown, Taiwan's GDP per capita stands at $25,000, nearly triple that of China. In terms of PPP, Taiwan ranks 77th in the world; China ranks 108th. 

While Taiwan is an economic success, the island remains economically dependent on China. Partner dependency and commodity concentration could prove troublesome for Taiwan if mainland-island relations deteriorate as a result of political backlash, for example. With US-China economic relations the subject of intense focus in recent months, we take a look in today's Viz of the Day at Taiwan's existing trade relations with these two countries and its vulnerability to disruptions in political and economic relations with either nation.