When it comes to studying global trade, chances are if you're American you don't normally factor the United States into your statistics. International trade may imply to you foreign countries that deal with the US, but to these nations the US is a foreign country, and a very important player in global business. As the world's largest manufacturer and the largest trading nation, the United States is responsible for importing and exporting a staggering $2.5 trillion worth of goods annually. While the majority of goods leaving the country are shipped to border neighbors like Canada and Mexico, the US looks to the East and Europe for bringing in materials.
The United States imports goods daily from top trading partners in Europe and Asia. From clothing to electronics to food and beverages, it's a challenge to walk into any store and not find something imported from another country. Americans in particular are apt to spend their hard-earned money on the following imports:
- Automobiles and Auto Parts - Fuel-efficient compacts from Japan, luxury sedans from Germany, and sporty hatchbacks and sports utility vehicles from Korea are popular on American roads. What doesn't come here whole is imported for US assembly plants.
- Video Accessories - Digital cameras, recorders, and peripherals are sought-after in the US, as interest in creating short videos for social media rises.
- Petroleum - While the US is known to export crude oil, the country depends on global trade for the majority of its petroleum based needs.
- Various consumer goods - articles for daily living, are delivered to the higher traffic ports to be shipped to department stores from east to west. Toys from assembly plants in China, furniture from Scandinavia, and pharmaceuticals from Germany fall into this category.
Top exported goods from the United States include:
- Food/Agriculture - The US is a nation that takes the maxim "Feed the World" literally! As one of the top global distributors of wheat and other grains, beef and pork, and dairy products, many dinner tables around the world are graced by meals with American origins.
- Aerospace/Aeronautical Supplies - The United States presently leads the world in airplane construction. If ever you hope an Aer Lingus to Dublin or British Airways to Liverpool, chances are you're flying in an American-made jet.
- Steel - The industrial areas of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana are known for their steel production, though there are companies all over the country. The world knows the US as a major producer of this product, which is exported for manufacture.
- Automotive - Some might puzzle about this entry, considering the prevalence of European and Asian car manufacturers. In truth, the US retains a good percentage of automobile exports, with Chevrolet, Jeep, and Dodge and Ford among the more popular brands. Much of what is exported is used by militaries around the world.
Because the US dollar is the current most watched in international business, the strength and weakness of the American economy sets the stages for future events throughout the world. So long as Americans continue to purchase products, and maintain good relationships with trade partners, the country will continue to thrive and contribute well to the global economy.
