Jul. 8, 2008 (China Knowledge) - Taiwan's trade surplus plunged 24.5% in Jan-Jun 2008, to US$7.99 billion. In June, trade surplus was US$1.49 billion, compared to US$2.21 billion in the preceding month, said the Ministry of Finance (MoF).

However, exports remained robust in Jun., growing 21.31% to hit US$24.35 billion, compared with a 20.5% rise to US$23.60 billion in May.

Exports to Mainland China and Hong Kong rose 25.5% to US$10.12 billion, while exports to the U.S. fell 2.6% to US$2.63 billion.

Imports, on the other hand, rose 22.5% from May, to US$22.86 billion.