US Imports and Exports: Components and Statistics

In 2019, the total U.S. trade with foreign countries was $5.6 trillion. That was $2.5 trillion in exports and $3.1 trillion in imports of both goods and services.

U.S. Exports

Based on 2019 data, goods contribute 66%, or $1.7 trillion, to U.S. exports. One-third of exported goods are capital goods ($547 billion). The largest sub-category is commercial aircraft ($132 billion). Other capital goods include industrial machines ($57 billion), semiconductors ($50 billion), and telecommunications ($36 billion). Electric apparatus ($44 billion) and medical equipment ($38 billion) are also significant contributors.

Another third of exported goods is industrial supplies ($531 billion). The largest sub-category is petroleum products, including crude oil and other petroleum products ($122 billion). Next are chemical products, including chemical fertilizers and other sub-categories ($81 billion), fuel oil ($41 billion), and plastic ($37 billion). Non-monetary gold is $19 billion.

Only 12% of U.S. exported goods are consumer goods ($206 billion). The biggest categories are pharmaceutical preparations ($61 billion), cell phones ($27 billion), and gem diamonds ($20 billion). 

Automobiles contribute 10% of all exported goods. In 2019, that was $162 billion.

Just 8% of exported goods are foods, feeds, and beverages ($131 billion). The big three are soybeans ($20 billion), meat and poultry ($20 billion), and corn ($9 billion).

Services make up one-third of U.S. exports ($876 billion), based on 2019 data. The largest single category is travel services at $193 billion. Other business services export $189 billion. Other private services, such as financial services, also add $136 billion. The next category is royalties and license fees at $117 billion. Government and military contracts add $22 billion. 

U.S. Imports

According to the 2019 data, more than 80% of U.S. imports are goods ($2.5 trillion). Capital goods ($678 billion) contributed 27% of all goods imported. 

Next comes consumer goods ($654 billion). U.S consumer spending is dependent upon these low-cost imported goods.

Slightly less than a quarter of imports are industrial machinery and equipment ($522 billion).

The fourth-largest import category is automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($376 billion). The food, feeds, and beverages category is next at $151 billion. 

As of the end of 2019, services make up 19% of imports ($597 billion). The largest category is travel services at $134 billion. The next is business services at $114 billion. Transport contributes $107 billion and insurance $52 billion. Government service imports are at $24 billion. 

Since the United States imports more than it exports, its trade deficit is $617 billion. Even though America exports billions in oil, consumer goods, and automotive products, it imports even more. 

How U.S. Imports and Exports Fit Into the Balance of Payments

Balance of Payments

1. Current Account
2. Current Account Deficit
   1. U.S. Current Account Deficit
3. Trade Balance
4. Imports and Exports
5. U.S. Imports and Exports Summary
   U.S. Imports
   1. U.S. Imports by Year for Top 5 Countries
   2. U.S. Exports
6. Trade Deficit
7. The U.S. Trade Deficit
   1. U.S. Trade Deficit by Country
   2. U.S. Trade Deficit With China
8. Capital Account
9. Financial Account