South Africa Repeatedly Pressures Taiwan, Which Responds with Chip Export Controls — Trade Volume Drops 58% in First Half

South Africa has recently continued to pressure Taiwan in alignment with China, demanding since 2023 that Taiwan’s representative office relocate from the capital. Most recently, South Africa labeled Taiwan as 'Taiwan, China' in its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, reigniting controversy. Democratic Progressive Party legislator Wang Ding-yu stated that in response to South Africa’s repeated pressure, Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs announced in September 2025 export controls on semiconductors and chips. Compared to 2023, exports in 2025 have already decreased by 32.9%. Wang emphasized, 'We cannot allow one side to bully us while also trying to gain economic benefits.'

Since 2023, South Africa has continuously pressured Taiwan, including demanding the relocation of Taiwan’s representative office from the capital, keeping bilateral relations tense. In response, Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs announced in 2025 that 47 high-tech items—including semiconductors and chips—exported to South Africa would shift to a licensing system. Export permits will be suspended as long as factors harming Taiwan’s interests remain unresolved, using trade measures as a countermeasure.

The items initially announced for control included 'diode dies and wafers, photodiodes or light-emitting diodes,' among 47 products. After the announcement, the South African government immediately requested negotiations through diplomatic channels. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently stated that its representative office had received South Africa’s request for talks and therefore agreed to temporarily suspend the chip export ban announcement process.

Wang Ding-yu posted on social media that due to China-related factors, South Africa has continuously pressured Taiwan since 2023, prompting Taiwan to study countermeasures and plan export controls on semiconductor and chip products. He stressed that although the formal ban has not yet taken effect, changes are already visible in export data.

Wang stated, 'We cannot allow one side to bully us while trying to gain benefits.' He pointed out that South Africa continues to pressure Taiwan while hoping to maintain economic and trade benefits, and Taiwan must take appropriate measures to protect its own rights and interests.

Exports of chip-related products from Taiwan to South Africa have declined annually, with a 58% year-on-year drop in the first half of 2026. According to reporting by Liberty Times, based on import-export trade statistics from Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs’ International Trade Administration, exports of chip-related products (HS codes HS8541, HS8542) to South Africa have shown continuous decline since 2023.

In 2023, exports totaled approximately USD 4.7109 million, dropping to USD 3.9389 million in 2024, and further to USD 3.1614 million in 2025—a 32.9% decrease compared to 2023. In the first half of 2026, exports to South Africa amounted to about USD 843,000, down from approximately USD 2.014 million in the same period of 2025, representing a year-on-year decline of about 58%, indicating a continued weakening of exports of related products.