Taiwan fastener exports fell 11.5% to 89,000 tons in May.

“Coupled with the 50% tariffs imposed under U.S. Section 232 and the soaring raw material costs resulting from the indirect impact of the Strait of Hormuz blockade, these factors have led participating manufacturers to pay particular attention to the trend of Taiwan CSC’s Q3 wire rod pricing,” Fastener World reports.

The real challenge currently facing Taiwan’s fastener industry is not who can sell at the lowest price, but rather the value that manufacturers can create for their customers, Taiwan Industrial Fasteners Institute Chairman Yung-Yu Tsai told Fastener World.

U.S. growth in the first quarter of 2026 was primarily driven by infrastructure spending and AI. Europe remained flat due to high energy costs, China benefited from stable exports, Japan saw steady export performance; and Southeast Asia maintained a GDP growth forecast of 4.6%.

Taiwan’s Q1 imports of bars and wire increased 3% to 196,000 metric tons. Exports of screws and nuts for the first 4 months of 2026 dropped 11.5% to 373,300 metric tons, with the average unit price gaining 7.3% to US$3.67/KG.