U.S. tariffs caused a rise in Taiwan's furloughs, mainly in export manufacturing, in late December 2025.

In late December 2025, Taiwan's furloughed workers rose to 7,371, up from 7,118 earlier in the month, driven by U.S. tariffs impacting export-heavy manufacturing sectors like metal and machinery, which accounted for about 70% of furloughs. The number of employers offering unpaid leave increased to 385. While the service sector remained stable, with furloughs in wholesale and retail falling to 301, analysts cited ongoing trade pressures as a key economic concern.