Taiwan's Russian Fuel Imports Surge Despite Sanctions
Taiwan, a key US ally in Asia, has been backing Ukraine since the war started and has joined Western nations in imposing sanctions on Russia. However, a surprising development has emerged in Taiwan's trade relations with Russia.
Taiwan has significantly increased its imports of Russian fuel this year. In the first part of 2025, Taiwan imported USD 1.3 billion worth of Russian naphtha, a mineral oil crucial for the semiconductor industry. This figure is a substantial jump from 2022 and 2024 levels.
Taiwan's imports of Russian crude oil have also surged. Monthly imports are now nearly six times higher than in 2022 and have risen by 44% compared to 2024. As a result, Taiwan has become the world's largest importer of Russian naphtha. Naphtha is a vital component in the petrochemical industry, serving as a fundamental feedstock for producing essential chemicals like olefins and aromatics.
Taiwan's increased imports of Russian fuel come despite its political stance against Russia and its alliance with the United States. While the quantities for the full year 2025 are not yet available, these trends suggest a significant shift in Taiwan's trade relations with Russia.
