According to The Guardian, Taiwan ranks first among global importers of Russian oil, a light petroleum product that is particularly in demand in the semiconductor and chemical industries, The Guardian reports, citing a study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
In the first half of 2025, Taiwan imported Russian oil worth about $1.3 billion, which is 44% more than in the same period in 2024. Average monthly imports were almost six times higher than in 2022.
The increase in imports has been observed since the start of the war in Ukraine: from February 2022 to June 2025, Taiwan imported 6.8 million tons of Russian oil worth a total of $4.9 billion, which is approximately 20% of all Russian exports of this product.
Although Taipei has formally joined the sanctions against Russia and supports Ukraine, no restrictions on imports of fossil fuels from Russia have been imposed. Experts note that the increase in purchases by Taiwan could undermine the trust of its democratic allies and intensify criticism from the international community.
Naphtha is a light liquid fraction of petroleum or a petroleum product obtained from the refining of crude oil.
It is used as a feedstock in petrochemicals, especially in the production of olefins and polymers. It can be mixed with gasoline or used in reforming processes to improve the octane rating of fuel. It is also used as a solvent in the chemical industry, for diluting heavy oils, and in the production of paints and varnishes.
Oil is particularly important for Taiwan, as the island’s economy depends on the semiconductor industry, which requires high-purity chemical components. Stable access to petroleum products ensures supply chains in electronics and microelectronics.
