Top US Trade Partners in 2010

Apr 11, 2011
Daniel Workman

China Imports from USA 2010 - USDA China (Flickr)

Nigeria, India and Mexico grew their exports to the U.S. the fastest last year, while China kept its position as America's top supplier of imported goods.

During 2010, the United States grew its exports to the world by 20.9% to US$1.28 trillion.

Total American imports increased at a faster pace. Over that same time period, U.S. imports were up 22.7% to $1.912 trillion.

The net result is that America’s trade deficit for 2010 was $634.6 million. That’s 26.7% higher than its $500.9 million negative balance during 2009.

Below are the top 15 trade partners for the United States in 2010.

Top US Export Partners

The following 15 trade partners consume 72.5% of total U.S. exports last year.

Canada ... US$248.2 million, up 21.2% from 2009 (19.4% of total U.S.exports)
Mexico ... $163.3 million, up 26.6% (12.8% of total)
China ... $91.9 million, up 32.1% (7.2% of total)
Japan ... $60.5 million, up 18.3% (4.7% of total)
United Kingdom ... $48.5 million, up 6.1% (3.8% of total)
Germany ... $48.2 million, up 11.3% (3.8% of total)
South Korea ... $38.8 million, up 35.6% (3% of total)
Brazil ... $35.4 million, up 35.1% (2.8% of total)
Netherlands ... $35 million, up 8.2% (2.7% of total)
Singapore ... $29.1 million, up 30.8% (2.3% of total)
France ... $27 million, up 1.8% (2.1% of total)
Hong Kong ... $26.6 million, up 25.8% (2.1% of total)
Taiwan ... $26 million, up 41.2% (2% of total)
Belgium ... $25.6 million, up 18.1% (2% of total)
Australia ... $21.8 million, up 11.3% (1.7% of total).

American exporters grew the value of its shipments to all 15 of its top export customers. Sales of U.S. products to Taiwan, South Korea and Brazil posted the highest percentages gains.

Top US Import Partners

The following 15 trade partners generated 75% of U.S. imports during 2010.

China ... US$364.9 million, up 23.1% (19.1% of total U.S.imports)
Canada ... $276.5 million, up 22.9% (14.5% of total)
Mexico ... $229.7 million, up 30.1% (12% of total)
Japan ... $120.3 million, up 25.4% (6.3% of total)
Germany ... $82.7 million, up 16% (4.3% of total)
United Kingdom ... $49.8 million, up 4.8% (2.6% of total)
South Korea ... $48.9 million, up 24.5% (2.6% of total)
France ... $38.6 million, up 13.3% (2% of total)
Taiwan ... $35.9 million, up 26.5% (1.9% of total)
Ireland ... $33.9 million, up 20.8% (1.8% of total)
Venezuela ... $32.8 million, up 16.7% (1.7% of total)
Saudi Arabia ... $31.4 million, up 42.5% (1.6% of total)
Nigeria ... $30.5 million, up 59.5% (1.6% of total)
India ... $29.5 million, up 39.5% (1.5% of total)
Italy ... $28.5 million, up 7.7% (1.5% of total)

All 15 of America’s top suppliers registered percentage increases for 2010. The developing economies of Nigeria, India and Mexico delivered the highest improvements in products imported into the U.S.

By far, China is largest provider of U.S. imported goods – supplying $364.9 million worth of products to American consumers. That amount is almost one-fifth of overall U.S. imports.

In contrast, the People’s Republic imported only $91.9 million worth of U.S. exports. That’s roughly a quarter of Chinese sales to the U.S.

For 2011, the question is whether America’s population of 313.2 million can develop innovative products and services that will reverse this global trade imbalance.