China exported US$287.8 billion worth of merchandise to the United States in 2006, up 18.2% from 2005 and up an impressive 130% in just 4 years. America is the number one trading partner for China's exports.
Chinese imports from the U.S. rose 31.7% to $55.2 billion in 2006 and up an even more impressive 150% since 2002.
In terms of the merchandise flow between the two countries, America’s trade deficit with China was $232.5 billion in 2006, up 125% from 2002. The U.S. trade deficit with China increased 15.4% in 2006 – significantly down from the 24.5% deficit increase in 2005 from the year earlier.
China Exports to U.S.
Of the $287.8 billion in American imports from China in 2006, the following product categories had the highest values.
- Computer accessories, peripherals and parts …US$28.9 billion (10.1% of China to U.S. exports, up 12.4% from 2005)
- Miscellaneous household goods (e.g. clocks) … $26.5 billion (9.2%, up 17.2%)
- Toys & sporting goods (e.g. bicycles) … $22.2 billion (7.7%, up 10.2%)
- Computers … $17.4 billion (6%, up 20.2%)
- Non-cotton household furnishings & clothing … $14.6 billion (5.1%, up 11.3%)
- Video equipment (e.g. DVD players) … $14.5 billion (5.0%, up 34.9%)
- Household furniture … $13.2 billion (4.6%, up 14.3%)
- Footwear ... $10.7 billion (3.7%, up 11.1%)
- Cotton household furnishings & clothing … $9.9 billion (3.4%, up 29.6%)
- Telecommunications equipment … $8.3 billion (3.0%, up 23.7%)
Fastest-Growing Chinese Exports to U.S.
Below are American imports from China in 2006 with the highest percentage sales increases from 2005.
- Zinc … US$8.6 million (up 616% from 2005)
- Nickel … $25.9 million (up 273%)
- Lumber … $74.7 million (up 213%)
- Specialized mining & oil processing equipment … $96.6 million (up 188%)
- Oil field drilling equipment & platforms … $1.6 billion (up 182%)
China Imports from U.S.
Of the $55.2 billion in American exports to China in 2006, the following product categories had the highest values.
- Semi-conductors … US$5.9 billion (10.6% of China from U.S. imports, up 74.7% from 2005)
- Civilian aircraft … $5.3 billion (9.6%, up 39.7%)
- Soybeans … $2.5 billion (4.6%, up 12.5%)
- Plastics …. $2.2 billion (3.9%, up 18.8%)
- Raw cotton … $2.1 billion (3.7%, up 47%)
- Industrial machines … $1.97 billion (3.6%, up 29%)
- Copper … $1.86 billion (3.4%, up 99.7%)
- Computer accessories … $1.82 billion (3.3%, up 27.5%)
- Aluminum … $1.7 billion (3.1%, up 90.3%)
- Steelmaking material … $1.69 billion (3.1%, up 11.9%)
Fastest-Growing Chinese Imports from U.S.
Below are American exports to China in 2006 with the highest percentage sales increases from 2005.
- Unmanufactured tobacco … US$61.4 million (up 3127% from 2005)
- Corn … $22.6 million (up 2963%)
- Oilseeds & food oils … $60.7 million (up 970%)
- Precious metals … $305 million (up 205.2%)
- Railway transportation equipment … $220 million (up 146%)
See also:
- Chinese Customs Duties on Consumer Products Imported into China
- Top Exports and Imports with China So Far in 2010
- US Versus China Hidden Export Advantages and Trade Opportunities
- China's Export Advantages Versus India in Computers and Modems
- China Exports to Canada (which includes harmonized tariff duty codes)
- China Trade Statistics 2009.
Sources
This analysis is based on latest statistics from the US Census Bureau - Foreign Trade Statistics and CIA World Factbook as of the date of article publication.
Daniel Workman - A senior business and finance writer who also does French translations, notably international trade and insurance materials.
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