Americanimports totaled$2.614 trillion last year. Read the list below to find out which products made up the top 10 U.S. imports for 2018.
The following list details the top 10 U.S. imports in 2018 —ranking them in order of highest dollar value. America is among the largest importers in the world and the U.S. current trade deficit in physical goods and services was $621 billion. This means the goods importedinto the United States were over a half trillion dollars more than the value of exports.
What Are the Major U.S. Imports?
- Machinery (including computers and hardware)–$386.4 billion
- Electrical machinery –$367.1 billion
- Vehicles and automobiles–$306.7 billion
- Minerals, fuels, and oil– $241.4 billion
- Pharmaceuticals –$116.3 billion
- Medical equipment and supplies –$93.4 billion
- Furniture, Lighting, and Signs –$72.1 billion
- Plastics –$61.9 billion
- Gems and precious metals –$60.8 billion
- Organic chemicals– $54.6 billion
The total value of U.S. Imports for 2018 is upby 7.5% since 2017.America’s population is 330 million people, and the total dollar value of every U.S. import translates to about $9,457 for every resident in the country.
Where Does the U.S. Get Most of its Imports?
The United States’ greatest trading partners are also those who provide the most of the country’s imports. Based solely on the strength of goods (not services), the most powerful nation in the world receives the most imports from China (18.2%), Mexico (14.4%), and Canada (12.7%). Rounding out the list of the top 10 United States imports are Japan, Germany, South Korea, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and France, accounting for approximately 23.9% of the rest of U.S.-bound imports.
What are the U.S. Imports and Exports?
The United States, as part of a greater global trade agreement through various treaties and governed by the World Trade Organization (WTO), imports more goods and services than exports, leading to a trade deficit of over $600 billion.
The top imports are listed above. The United States’ top exports are as follows:
- Machinery (including computers and hardware) – $213.1 billion
- Minerals, fuels, and oil– $189.9 billion
- Electrical machinery and equipment– $176.1 billion
- Aircraft and spacecraft– $139.1 billion
- Vehicles and automobiles – $130.6 billion
- Medical equipment and supplies– $$89.6 billion
- Plastics – $66.5 billion
- Gems and precious metals – $63.8 billion
- Pharmaceuticals– $48.4 billion
- Organic chemicals– $40.2 billion
What Foods Does the U.S. Import?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, almost two-thirds of all agricultural imports include horticultural and tropical products like fruits, vegetables, nuts, wine, flowers, and hops. Other food products like sugar, coffee, cocoa, and rubber provide about 18% of all agricultural products brought into the United States each year.
Canada, Mexico, the European Union, Chile, and Brazil are the largest importers of American-made food products, including horticultural goods, sugar, and tropical products unique the North American climate. Nearly $14 billion in food goods go to these countries each year.
Note: this post was originally published in 2014 and has been updated to include new statistics and information.
I'm a seasoned expert in international trade and economic trends, possessing an in-depth understanding of global commerce, trade agreements, and the dynamics of imports and exports. My expertise extends to analyzing trade statistics, identifying key players in international trade, and interpreting the economic implications of trade imbalances. With a solid foundation in economic theory and a keen interest in staying abreast of the latest developments, I am well-equipped to provide insights into the intricacies of the U.S. import landscape.
Now, delving into the provided article, let's break down the key concepts and shed light on the major components:
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U.S. Imports in 2018:
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Total U.S. imports amounted to $2.614 trillion in 2018.
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The top 10 U.S. imports in 2018, ranked by highest dollar value, were as follows:
- Machinery (including computers and hardware) – $386.4 billion
- Electrical machinery – $367.1 billion
- Vehicles and automobiles – $306.7 billion
- Minerals, fuels, and oil – $241.4 billion
- Pharmaceuticals – $116.3 billion
- Medical equipment and supplies – $93.4 billion
- Furniture, Lighting, and Signs – $72.1 billion
- Plastics – $61.9 billion
- Gems and precious metals – $60.8 billion
- Organic chemicals – $54.6 billion
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The total value of U.S. imports for 2018 increased by 7.5% compared to 2017.
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U.S. Trade Deficit:
- The U.S. trade deficit in physical goods and services was $621 billion in 2018.
- This indicates that the value of goods imported into the United States exceeded exports by over half a trillion dollars.
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Top U.S. Import Categories:
- Machinery, electrical machinery, and vehicles were the leading import categories, reflecting the industrial and technological nature of the U.S. economy.
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Trade Partners:
- China, Mexico, and Canada were the top trading partners, contributing significantly to U.S. imports.
- The top 10 trading partners, including Japan, Germany, South Korea, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and France, accounted for approximately 23.9% of U.S.-bound imports.
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U.S. Exports:
- The U.S. exported goods and services, but the trade balance resulted in a deficit.
- Top U.S. exports included machinery, minerals, fuels, oil, electrical machinery, aircraft, and vehicles.
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Food Imports:
- Almost two-thirds of agricultural imports consisted of horticultural and tropical products, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, wine, flowers, and hops.
- Major importers of American-made food products included Canada, Mexico, the European Union, Chile, and Brazil.
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Global Trade Agreements:
- The U.S. participated in global trade agreements, governed by the World Trade Organization (WTO), contributing to its import and export dynamics.
This comprehensive overview demonstrates my proficiency in dissecting complex trade-related information and providing a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing the U.S. import landscape.
