Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
U.S. exports to China - statistics & facts
The United States and China are the world’s largest economies with a complex and long-lasting trade relationship. As of 2023, China was the third-largest export market for the United States after Canada and Mexico. Despite diplomatic tensions and the global pandemic, commodity exports from the United States to China remained over 140 billion U.S. dollars in 2024.
U.S. States exporting to China
China was one of the top five goods export destinations for most U.S. states in 2024. Texas, California, Washington, Indiana, and South Carolina were the five leading states exporting to China, jointly contributing more than half of commodity exports. Among the export leaders, only Washington and Illinois saw decreases in their exports to China compared to a decade ago. In contrast, Indiana witnessed a 178 percent leap in exports compared to 2014, mainly from semiconductors and components.
Over the past decades, United States supplied China with high-tech manufacturing and agricultural products. Soybeans, civilian aircrafts, pharmaceutical preparations, semiconductors, and industrial machines were among the most exported commodities to China. California, home to numerous technology enterprises, exports electronics such as semiconductors to China to be inserted into mobile phones. Exports from Washington to China are dominated by the aerospace sector, as it is home to significant assembly sites of Boeing.
A brief overview of the U.S.-China trade war
Despite the relatively high export volume from the U.S. to China, the latter is also the main source of the United States’ trade deficit. The growing trade deficits with China became a major political issue. In July 2018, the Trump administration officially launched a new trade tariff policy targeting Beijing, aiming to reduce the U.S. trade deficit and address other Chinese trade practices. In response, China imposed high retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. The ensuing trade tensions resulted in significant economic setbacks for both nations.
During Joe Biden’s presidency, the United States and China reached a bilateral trade agreement, effectively bringing an end to the first trade war. However, after beginning his second term in office, Donald Trump reignited trade tensions by announcing a 10 percent blanket tariff on all Chinese goods. This move prompted a strong retaliatory response from China. As of April 12, 2025, both countries have imposed steep tariffs over 100 percent. Nevertheless, the situation showed signs of improvement. In May 2025, the Trump administration announced plans to reduce import tariffs on the majority of Chinese goods to 30 percent.
U.S. States exporting to China
China was one of the top five goods export destinations for most U.S. states in 2024. Texas, California, Washington, Indiana, and South Carolina were the five leading states exporting to China, jointly contributing more than half of commodity exports. Among the export leaders, only Washington and Illinois saw decreases in their exports to China compared to a decade ago. In contrast, Indiana witnessed a 178 percent leap in exports compared to 2014, mainly from semiconductors and components.
Over the past decades, United States supplied China with high-tech manufacturing and agricultural products. Soybeans, civilian aircrafts, pharmaceutical preparations, semiconductors, and industrial machines were among the most exported commodities to China. California, home to numerous technology enterprises, exports electronics such as semiconductors to China to be inserted into mobile phones. Exports from Washington to China are dominated by the aerospace sector, as it is home to significant assembly sites of Boeing.
A brief overview of the U.S.-China trade war
Despite the relatively high export volume from the U.S. to China, the latter is also the main source of the United States’ trade deficit. The growing trade deficits with China became a major political issue. In July 2018, the Trump administration officially launched a new trade tariff policy targeting Beijing, aiming to reduce the U.S. trade deficit and address other Chinese trade practices. In response, China imposed high retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. The ensuing trade tensions resulted in significant economic setbacks for both nations.
During Joe Biden’s presidency, the United States and China reached a bilateral trade agreement, effectively bringing an end to the first trade war. However, after beginning his second term in office, Donald Trump reignited trade tensions by announcing a 10 percent blanket tariff on all Chinese goods. This move prompted a strong retaliatory response from China. As of April 12, 2025, both countries have imposed steep tariffs over 100 percent. Nevertheless, the situation showed signs of improvement. In May 2025, the Trump administration announced plans to reduce import tariffs on the majority of Chinese goods to 30 percent.
