Taiwan’s fastener exports are slowly recovering after years of losing market share to China’s cheaper fasteners, Fastener World reports.

“Taiwan exported 101,000 tons of fasteners in September, down 19.4% from 127,000 tons in August but a slight increase from less than 100,000 tons in the same month last year,” according to Fastener World.

Taiwanese fastener exports to the U.S. (its largest market at 46%) dipped 0.31% to 47,000 tons in September. Fastener exports to Europe grew 14.1% to 31,862 tons, while exports to ASEAN declined 10.9%.

China fastener exports started slipping after the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum.

In September, Chinese fastener exports to the U.S. fell 16.2%, while exports to Europe rose 17.7% and exports to ASEAN increased 4.7%.

Currently Taiwan’s fastener export unit price (US$3.53/kg) is nearly twice as much as China’s price (US$1.9/kg).

“Although China exports a higher volume of fasteners over Taiwan, more and more countries are seeking actions against Chinese low-priced steel products,” Fastener World reports.

For example, Indonesian steelmakers are reportedly pushing their government to punish China's dumping of low-price steel products.