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Taiwan-ConflictThese products come to Switzerland from Taiwan
Taiwan’s industry is known for its high-tech computer chips. But the country also delivers bicycles and exotic fruits to Switzerland.
Switzerland imports by far the most machines from Taiwan (42 percent)
Reuters
… precision instruments (18 percent) …
VIA REUTERS
New supply chain problems are looming because of the Taiwan conflict.
Switzerland imports goods worth over 1.5 billion francs from Taiwan every year.
These include chips, Velos and tropical fruits.
Of the Taiwan conflict between China, the US and Taiwan increases concern new supply chain problems. China has already imposed economic sanctions on Taiwan and launched military maneuvers that could block important ports in Taiwan.
Like most countries, Switzerland does not recognize Taiwan. There are no official visits by Swiss politicians to Taiwan like Pelosi did. But the economy is an important trading partner, according to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco), the 26th largest for Switzerland.
High-end chips come almost exclusively from Taiwan
According to customs data, imports from Taiwan amounted to over CHF 1.5 billion in 2021, excluding gold trading. The number would probably be even higher because many Taiwanese companies supply the Swiss market from third countries where they have their factories. “Modern high-end chips all come almost exclusively from Taiwan,” says Felix Sutter, President of the Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, to 20 minutes.
According to Seco, the high-tech industrial nation operates a stable economy primarily with service products and is a classic export nation, not only thanks to computer chips. Taiwan primarily exports metal goods, machines and vehicle parts to Switzerland, as trade expert Patrick Ziltener says.
But the Taiwanese chemical industry also supplies a lot to Switzerland, from plastics and dyes to fertilizers. Also important are bicycles and motorcycles as well as screws, bolts and other vehicle parts. Well-known bicycle brands such as Giant come from Taiwan, while others produce the materials for international branded bicycles.
Because of the tropical climate in the island state, many exotic fruits from Taiwan come to Switzerland, says Felix Sutter from the Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Plant juices and other beverages with or without alcohol are also an important import factor (see photo gallery above).
The One China Policy is one of the fundamental principles of the People’s Republic of China. According to the Chinese Communist Party, there is only one China. This also includes the island of Taiwan. According to the Communist Party, Hong Kong and Macau are also part of the People’s Republic of China.
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