Taiwan's Russian Naphtha Imports Soar Despite Sanctions
Taiwan, despite joining international sanctions against Russia, has not prohibited imports of Russian fossil fuels. This is due to its critical dependence on energy imports. Notably, Taiwan has emerged as the world's leading importer of Russian naphtha, a vital component in semiconductor production.
In the first half of 2025, Taiwan spent a staggering $1.3 billion on Russian naphtha, with monthly imports soaring to nearly six times the 2022 level. Since February 2022, Taiwan has imported a massive 6.8 million tonnes of Russian naphtha, valued at $4.9 billion, making up around 20% of Russia's total exports of the product.
Taiwan's imports of Russian naphtha have surged by 44% compared to the same period in 2024. This increase comes despite certain countries supporting Taiwan's imports and a group of nations imposing bans on Russian naphtha imports. However, the specific countries involved in these actions are not specified in the available information.
Taiwan's reliance on Russian naphtha for its semiconductor industry remains high, with no signs of significant reduction despite international sanctions against Russia. This situation highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in global energy trade.
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