Countries America has the largest trade surplus with

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May 17, 2019
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Countries America has the largest trade surplus with

The powerful economic machine that is America trades with almost every nation in the world, running a deficit with some and a surplus with others.

A trade deficit is defined as the amount by which the value of a country's imports exceeds the values of its exports; a trade surplus is the amount by which the value of a country's exports exceeds the value of its imports. In 2018 the U.S. had a trade deficit of $878.6 billion. However, it is a net exporter in many cases.

Trade plays an enormous role in a nation's economy, but its importance extends beyond creating jobs and fostering domestic stability. Trade can also promote strong relations between nations and provide the basis for one country to come to the aid of another during times of political strife, catastrophic events, attack, or other challenges.

When one country believes another is taking unfair advantage, trade can lead to friction such as the current face-off between China and the U.S. Curtailing trade can also be used to sanction nations and pressure them to change their behavior. In extreme cases, disagreements over trade can even lead to military conflict.

Stacker has ranked the top three imports and exports by “end-use” product categories, with data collected from the Foreign Trade Census for 2018. Slides are ranked by dollar trade surplus. “End-use” is defined as a classification system for U.S. exported and imported merchandise based on principal use rather than the physical characteristics of the merchandise. End-use codes are assigned by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis. Materials being traded range from crude oil, gemstones, and fruits to medicinal equipment, rugs, and aircraft. 

Stacker has analyzed the data and pinpointed the countries with which America has the largest trade surplus. Read on to see how they stack up.

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#25. Afghanistan

- Surplus: $1.2 billion (exports to U.S.: $0 billion; imports from U.S.: $1.2 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Gemstones, other ($8.5 million, 29.5%)
--- #2. Fruits, frozen juices ($6.9 million, 23.9%)
--- #3. Rugs ($3.8 million, 13.3%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Military trucks, armored vehicles, etc. ($445 million, 36.1%)
--- #2. Tanks, artillery, missiles, rockets, guns and ammunition ($134.7 million, 10.9%)
--- #3. Materials handling equipment ($101.2 million, 8.2%)

Afghanistan is currently the America's 91st largest trading partner, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Despite the ongoing military conflict, trade relations are fairly strong: U.S. trade surplus with Afghanistan in 2018 saw a 30% increase over 2017.

#24. Colombia

- Surplus: $1.2 billion (exports to U.S.: $13.8 billion; imports from U.S.: $15 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Crude oil ($6.5 billion, 46.9%)
--- #2. Green coffee ($1.1 billion, 8.2%)
--- #3. Fuel oil ($1 billion, 7.6%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Petroleum products, other ($2 billion, 13.4%)
--- #2. Chemicals-organic ($1.1 billion, 7.1%)
--- #3. Corn ($995.3 million, 6.6%)

Trade between Colombia and the U.S. strengthened since the signing of a bilateral free trade agreement in 2006. Colombia is the fifth-largest open market for U.S. exports.

#23. Lebanon

- Surplus: $1.2 billion (exports to U.S.: $0.1 billion; imports from U.S.: $1.3 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Jewelry ($31.6 million, 29%)
--- #2. Nuts ($9 million, 8.2%)
--- #3. U.S. goods returned, and reimports ($7.7 million, 7.1%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Fuel oil ($418.6 million, 31.8%)
--- #2. Passenger cars, new and used ($227.6 million, 17.3%)
--- #3. Military aircraft ($70 million, 5.3%)

Trade between Lebanon and the U.S. dropped slightly in 2018, resulting in Lebanon moving from previously ranked 91st top trading partner to 92nd, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

#22. Gibraltar

- Surplus: $1.3 billion (exports to U.S.: $0 billion; imports from U.S.: $1.3 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Artwork, antiques, stamps, etc. ($0.3 million, 54.8%)
--- #2. U.S. goods returned, and reimports ($.1 million, 22%)
--- #3. Minimum value shipments ($0 million, 4.6%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Fuel oil ($726.3 million, 56.3%)
--- #2. Minimum value shipments ($338 million, 26.2%)
--- #3. Natural gas liquids ($104 million, 8.1%)

Gibraltar, the British Overseas Territory off the south coast of Spain, ranked 91st in total trade value with the U.S., based on U.S. Census Bureau data.

#21. Morocco

- Surplus: $1.4 billion (exports to U.S.: $1.6 billion; imports from U.S.: $2.9 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Chemicals-fertilizers ($775.3 million, 49.5%)
--- #2. Fruits, frozen juices ($92.3 million, 5.9%)
--- #3. Apparel, textiles, nonwool or cotton ($76.3 million, 4.9%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Civilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts ($466.6 million, 15.8%)
--- #2. Fuel oil ($413.5 million, 14%)
--- #3. Natural gas liquids ($257 million, 8.7%)

The Free Trade Agreement between the U.S. and Morocco, enacted in January 2006, opened the door to a strong and fruitful trade relationship. U.S. exports of services to Morocco supported roughly 12,000 jobs in 2015, reports the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

#20. Costa Rica

- Surplus: $1.5 billion (exports to U.S.: $4.9 billion; imports from U.S.: $6.3 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Medicinal equipment ($1.6 billion, 33.1%)
--- #2. Fruits, frozen juices ($1.1 billion, 23.1%)
--- #3. Cell phones and other household goods* ($422.2 million, 8.7%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Petroleum products, other ($812.2 million, 12.8%)
--- #2. Fuel oil ($656.5 million, 10.3%)
--- #3. Medicinal equipment ($401.3 million, 6.3%)

In January 2009, the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement went into effect and helped strengthen trade relations between the U.S. and Costa Rica.

#19. Peru

- Surplus: $1.8 billion (exports to U.S.: $7.9 billion; imports from U.S.: $9.6 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Nonmonetary gold ($1.8 billion, 22.7%)
--- #2. Fruits, frozen juices ($1.2 billion, 14.6%)
--- #3. Petroleum products, other ($579 million, 7.3%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Fuel oil ($2 billion, 21.3%)
--- #2. Petroleum products, other ($914.8 million, 9.5%)
--- #3. Corn ($516.3 million, 5.4%)

Since April 2006, the United States-Peru Trade Agreement has supported strong trade relations between these two nations and created some 62,000 jobs in Peru.

#18. Paraguay

- Surplus: $2.2 billion (exports to U.S.: $0.1 billion; imports from U.S.: $2.4 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Cane and beet sugar ($23.7 million, 18%)
--- #2. Food oils, oilseeds ($22.4 million, 17.1%)
--- #3. Tobacco, waxes, etc. ($21.6 million, 16.5%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Cell phones and other household goods* ($648.5 million, 27.3%)
--- #2. Other parts and accessories of vehicles ($301.4 million, 12.7%)
--- #3. Fuel oil ($191.3 million, 8%)

Paraguay is the United States' 77th largest goods trading partner. In 2018, America's trade surplus with Paraguay decreased by 13.3% over the previous year.

#17. Jamaica

- Surplus: $2.3 billion (exports to U.S.: $0.4 billion; imports from U.S.: $2.7 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Chemicals-inorganic ($89.6 million, 23.7%)
--- #2. Bauxite and aluminum ($77.5 million, 20.5%)
--- #3. U.S. goods returned, and reimports ($35.2 million, 9.3%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Fuel oil ($627.6 million, 23.1%)
--- #2. Petroleum products, other ($277.4 million, 10.2%)
--- #3. Chemicals-inorganic ($188.5 million, 6.9%)

The U.S. is a major trading nation of Jamaica, but the relationship transcends trade: America has aided Jamaica in its struggle against violent crime and transnational criminal activity.

#16. Guatemala

- Surplus: $2.4 billion (exports to U.S.: $4.2 billion; imports from U.S.: $6.6 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Fruits, frozen juices ($1.3 billion, 30.2%)
--- #2. Apparel, textiles, nonwool or cotton ($756.8 million, 18.0%)
--- #3. Apparel, household goods - cotton ($688.5 million, 16.4%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Petroleum products, other ($1 billion, 15.4%)
--- #2. Fuel oil ($916.1 million, 13.8%)
--- #3. Pharmaceutical preparations ($298.1 million, 4.5%)

In 2015, goods and services exported to the U.S. were responsible for some 34,000 jobs in Guatemala. The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement has been in effect between the U.S. and Guatemala since July 1, 2006. 

#15. Egypt

- Surplus: $2.6 billion (exports to U.S.: $2.5 billion; imports from U.S.: $5.1 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Crude oil ($458.5 million, 18.5%)
--- #2. Apparel, textiles, nonwool, or cotton ($427 million, 17.2%)
--- #3. Apparel, household goods - cotton ($405.3 million, 16.3%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Soybeans ($1.2 billion, 23%)
--- #2. Corn ($394.5 million, 7.8%)
--- #3. Steelmaking materials ($261.8 million, 5.2%)

Total trade value between Egypt and America States topped $1 billion in February 2019, indicating that trade relations between these two nations are strong and lucrative.

#14. Bahamas

- Surplus: $2.7 billion (exports to U.S.: $0.4 billion; imports from U.S.: $3.1 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. U.S. goods returned, and reimports ($108.2 million, 28.9%)
--- #2. Plastic materials ($66 million, 17.7%)
--- #3. Fish and shellfish ($56 million, 15%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Fuel oil ($795.8 million, 25.7%)
--- #2. Petroleum products, other ($351.7 million, 11.4%)
--- #3. Minimum value shipments ($317.7 million, 10.3%)

The U.S. is the second top export destination for goods made in the Bahamas and its top source of imports. That helps account for their strong relations.

#13. Qatar

- Surplus: $2.9 billion (exports to U.S.: $1.6 billion; imports from U.S.: $4.4 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Petroleum products, other ($527.3 million, 33.6%)
--- #2. Chemicals-fertilizers ($371.2 million, 23.6%)
--- #3. Bauxite and aluminum ($292.8 million, 18.6%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Civilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts ($1.8 billion, 41.4%)
--- #2. Electric apparatus ($360 million, 8.1%)
--- #3. Tanks, artillery, missiles, rockets, guns, and ammunition ($226.9 million, 5.1%)

Trade between Qatar and the U.S. surpassed $1 billion in the first two months of 2019, which marks a 50% increase of total trade over the previous year.

#12. Dominican Republic

- Surplus: $3.3 billion (imports to U.S.: $5.3 billion; exports from U.S.: $8.6 billion)
- Top imported goods to U.S.:
--- #1. Medicinal equipment ($923.8 million, 17.4%)
--- #2. Other consumer nondurables ($845.6 million, 15.9%)
--- #3. Electric apparatus ($752.4 million, 14.2%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Fuel oil ($659.5 million, 7.7%)
--- #2. Petroleum products, other ($649.1 million, 7.6%)
--- #3. Electric apparatus ($462.8 million, 5.4%)

U.S. trade with the Dominican Republic exceeded $2 billion as of February 2019. Both imports and exports for these two nations increased by double digits this year, furthering their strong trade relations.

#11. Chile

- Surplus: $4 billion (imports to U.S.: $11.4 billion; exports from U.S.: $15.3 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Copper ($3 billion, 26.4%)
--- #2. Fruits, frozen juices ($2.2 billion, 19.5%)
--- #3. Fish and shellfish ($2.1 billion, 18.5%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Fuel oil ($3.2 billion, 21%)
--- #2. Petroleum products, other ($840.1 million, 5.5%)
--- #3. Civilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts ($627.1 million, 4.1%)

The U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement, enacted in January 2004, has benefited both nations. Chile is currently America's 29th largest goods trading partner and as of 2015, the exchange of goods and services supported about 93,000 jobs in Chile.

#10. Argentina

- Surplus: $5.1 billion (exports to U.S.: $4.9 billion; imports from U.S.: $9.9 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Crude oil ($712 million, 14.6%)
--- #2. Bauxite and aluminum ($417.2 million, 8.6%)
--- #3. Fruits, frozen juices ($356.5 million, 7.3%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Fuel oil ($1.1 billion, 10.6%)
--- #2. Soybeans ($719.4 million, 7.3%)
--- #3. Petroleum products, other ($654.2 million, 6.6%)

The U.S. and Argentina have maintained strong relations for many years. More than 300 U.S. companies operate in Argentina, employing over 150,000 workers, and America is one of the largest foreign investors there.

#9. United Kingdom

- Surplus: $5.4 billion (exports to U.S.: $60.8 billion; imports from U.S.: $66.2 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Passenger cars, new and used ($9.7 billion, 15.9%)
--- #2. Pharmaceutical preparations ($6.4 billion, 10.5%)
--- #3. U.S. goods returned, and reimports ($4.9 billion, 8.1%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Civilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts ($11.3 billion, 17.1%)
--- #2. Nonmonetary gold ($6.1 billion, 9.2%)
--- #3. Crude oil ($3.9 billion, 5.8%)

The U.K. is America's seventh largest goods trading partner, and the exchange of goods and services between the two accounted for some 665,000 jobs in Great Britain in 2015. 

#8. Singapore

- Surplus: $5.9 billion (exports to U.S.: $27.3 billion; imports from U.S.: $33.1 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Pharmaceutical preparations ($7.4 billion, 27.1%)
--- #2. U.S. goods returned, and reimports ($3 billion, 10.9%)
--- #3. Other foods ($2.6 billion, 9.6%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Civilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts ($5.6 billion, 17%)
--- #2. Industrial machines, other ($2.8 billion, 8.4%)
--- #3. Fuel oil ($2.1 billion, 6.3%)

Singapore and the U.S. have a strong and mutually beneficial free trade agreement. This agreement supports 215,000 American jobs, there are 4,200 American businesses in Singapore, and U.S. investors have poured $274 billion into Singapore as of last year, according to U.S. Department of Commerce data.

#7. Panama

- Surplus: $6.4 billion (exports to U.S.: $0.5 billion; imports from U.S.: $6.9 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. U.S. goods returned, and reimports ($163.6 million, 35.4%)
--- #2. Fish and shellfish ($90 million, 19.5%)
--- #3. Fuel oil ($40 million, 8.7%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Fuel oil ($1.6 billion, 23.4%)
--- #2. Petroleum products, other ($993.5 million, 14.4%)
--- #3. Civilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts ($397.4 million, 5.8%)

Trade between Panama and the U.S. rose to over $1 billion dollars this past February with the largest export to America being value added to a returned import.

#6. Brazil

- Surplus: $8.3 billion (exports to U.S.: $31.2 billion; imports from U.S.: $39.5 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Crude oil ($3.8 billion, 12.1%)
--- #2. Iron and steel mill products ($2.5 billion, 7.9%)
--- #3. Civilian aircraft ($2 billion, 6.4%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Civilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts ($6 billion, 15.3%)
--- #2. Fuel oil ($4 billion, 10.1%)
--- #3. Petroleum products, other ($2.9 billion, 7.4%)

The two largest economies in the Americas, Brazil and the U.S. have had a long and strong trade relationship. Trade has mainly focused on goods, however the trading of services, as well as investments, is beginning to increase and future economic and trade bonds may be even stronger.

#5. Belgium

- Surplus: $14.2 billion (exports to U.S.: $17.2 billion; imports from U.S.: $31.4 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Pharmaceutical preparations ($3.7 billion, 21.4%)
--- #2. Gem diamonds ($2.9 billion, 17%)
--- #3. Fuel oil ($1.3 billion, 7.3%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Pharmaceutical preparations ($4.7 billion, 15%)
--- #2. Gem diamonds ($3 billion, 9.6%)
--- #3. Medicinal equipment ($2.6 billion, 8.3%)

Trade between Belgium and the U.S. increased by roughly 21% this year, with overall trade valued at $8.86 billion. The large pharmaceuticals trade between the two nations is especially important.

#4. United Arab Emirates

- Surplus: $14.5 billion (exports to U.S.: $5 billion; imports from U.S.: $19.5 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Bauxite and aluminum ($1.5 billion, 29.7%)
--- #2. Fuel oil ($1.3 billion, 25.9%)
--- #3. U.S. goods returned, and reimports ($777.7 million, 15.5%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Civilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts ($3.6 billion, 18.2%)
--- #2. Passenger cars, new and used ($1.9 billion, 9.9%)
--- #3. Telecommunications equipment ($1.1 billion, 5.7%)

The United Arab Emirates is the second-largest economy in the Arab world, and U.S. goods exported to the UAE resulted in 104,000 jobs, indicating that trade between these two nations is important and beneficial to both economies.

#3. Australia

- Surplus: $15.2 billion (exports to U.S.: $10.1 billion; imports from U.S.: $25.3 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. Meat products ($2.1 billion, 20.8%)
--- #2. Pharmaceutical preparations ($930.2 million, 9.2%)
--- #3. U.S. goods returned, and reimports ($749.4 million, 7.4%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Civilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts ($1.7 billion, 6.8%)
--- #2. Passenger cars, new and used ($1.5 billion, 6%)
--- #3. Medicinal equipment ($1.2 billion, 4.7%)

After the Australia-U.S. Free Trade Agreement was established in 2005, trade between these two nations increased by nearly 91%. Their diverse economies support this mutually beneficial relationship.

#2. Netherlands

- Surplus: $24.8 billion (exports to U.S.: $24.6 billion; imports from U.S.: $49.4 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. U.S. goods returned, and reimports ($3.6 billion, 14.7%)
--- #2. Pharmaceutical preparations ($3 billion, 12.2%)
--- #3. Industrial machines, other ($2.4 billion, 9.6%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Pharmaceutical preparations ($5 billion, 10%)
--- #2. Medicinal equipment ($4.1 billion, 8.3%)
--- #3. Crude oil ($3.5 billion, 7%)

The trade value between the Netherlands and the U.S. exceeds $12 billion and continues to grow and strengthen, making the Netherlands the top 11th top trading partner of the U.S.

#1. Hong Kong

- Surplus: $31.1 billion (exports to U.S.: $6.3 billion; imports from U.S.: $37.5 billion)
- Top goods exported to U.S.:
--- #1. U.S. goods returned, and reimports ($2.4 billion, 37.9%)
--- #2. Cell phones and other household goods ($384.6 million, 6.1%)
--- #3. Jewelry ($363.9 million, 5.8%)

- Top goods imported from U.S.:
--- #1. Semiconductors ($4.8 billion, 12.8%)
--- #2. Gem diamonds ($4.2 billion, 11.2%)
--- #3. Jewelry, etc. ($3.2 billion, 8.4%)

As of February 2019, trade between America and Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous region of China, was more than $6 billion dollars. In the past year, however, Hong Kong dropped from the 19th top trading partner of the U.S. to the 21st.

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