The United States is a major player in the global trade sector, with a significant volume of imports contributing to its economic landscape. The country’s import activities, valued at trillions of dollars annually, are crucial in fulfilling consumer demands and sustaining industrial production. These imports, ranging from smartphones and vehicles to machinery and crude oil, are pivotal in ensuring the smooth functioning of the U.S. economy. This guide will examine the top imported goods, focusing on their origins and the significance of their presence in the American marketplace. The role of international trade in shaping this landscape will be elucidated, providing a comprehensive understanding of the impact of global trade on the American economy.
What are the main imported goods in the US?
The United States imports various goods, but certain major categories dominate in value. As of January 2025, the top five imported goods by value were precious metal products, passenger vehicles, computers, petroleum, mobile phones, and related equipment. These five categories accounted for 26.98% of all imported goods.
- The top category is precious metal products, which saw a year-over-year increase of 4,911.4% to reach $30.44 billion.
- Passenger vehicles ranked second, with a year-over-year decrease of 5.49% to $16.15 billion.
- The computer industry ranked third, with a year-over-year increase of 59.43% to reach $13.94 billion.
- The fourth-ranked petroleum products increased by 0.4% year-on-year, reaching 13.74 billion USD.
- The fifth-ranked mobile phones and related equipment increased by 32.7% year-on-year, reaching 11.34 billion USD.
The USA Major Import Partners
As of January 2025, the United States’ top five trading partners were Mexico, Canada, China, Switzerland, and Germany. Below is a closer look at trade volumes with each:
- Mexico (Ranked 1st): Total trade reached $70 billion, up 7.88% year-over-year.
- Exports: $28 billion (+5.47%)
- Imports: $42 billion (+9.56%)
- Canada (Ranked 2nd): Total trade totaled $65 billion, up 8.62% year-over-year.
- Exports: $26 billion (+0.43%)
- Imports: $38 billion (+15.1%)
- China (Ranked 3rd): Total trade rose to $52 billion, a 7.68% increase.
- Exports: $10 billion (−17.99%)
- Imports: $42 billion (+16.33%)
- Switzerland (Ranked 4th): Total trade skyrocketed by 273.04% to $26 billion.
- Exports: $2 billion (−35.55%)
- Imports: $24 billion (+464.96%)
- Germany (Ranked 5th): Total trade reached $20 billion, up 5.08%.
- Exports: $6 billion (−4.22%)
- Imports: $14 billion (+9.84%)
Who is the largest import partner of the USA?
The landscape of the United States’ import partners has changed in recent years. Although China has long been the largest source of imports for the United States, trade policy adjustments and changes in global supply chain dynamics have reshaped the ranking.
According to the latest trade data, Mexico has surpassed China in becoming the largest import partner of the United States. This change highlights the growing importance of nearshoring and regional trade agreements. Canada remains the most important import partner, especially in the energy and automobile manufacturing.
Statistical Comparison of U.S. Import Data from 2019 to 2023
| Import Partners | Value in 2019 | Value in 2020 | Value in 2021 | Value in 2022 | Value in 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $359.33 billion | $328.68 billion | $388.31 billion | $459.20 billion | $480.08 billion |
| China | $470.95 billion | $456.44 billion | $540.07 billion | $575.71 billion | $448.03 billion |
| Canada | $326.15 billion | $277.30 billion | $366.47 billion | $448.33 billion | $431.19 billion |
| Germany | $129.91 billion | $117.36 billion | $138.23 billion | $150.46 billion | $163.08 billion |
| Japan | $146.92 billion | $122.47 billion | $139.11 billion | $154.44 billion | $151.58 billion |
| South Korea | $79.93 billion | $78.35 billion | $98.77 billion | $120.87 billion | $119.72 billion |
| Vietnam | $69.15 billion | $83.18 billion | $108.17 billion | $135.87 billion | $118.94 billion |
| Taiwan | $55.92 billion | $62.45 billion | $80.65 billion | $96.07 billion | $89.91 billion |
| India | $60.13 billion | $53.58 billion | $76.92 billion | $90.99 billion | $87.28 billion |
| Ireland | $62.11 billion | $66.32 billion | $74.02 billion | $82.50 billion | $82.71 billion |
| Total Imports | $2.56 trillion | $2.40 trillion | $2.93 trillion | $3.37 trillion | $3.2 trillion |
The United States, as the world’s largest economy, relies heavily on imports to support its manufacturing and consumer markets. Many of these imports come from key trading partners such as Mexico, Canada, and China. While many of these goods originate overseas, they often serve as critical components or raw materials in U.S. production processes, helping drive innovation, support domestic industries, and fuel ongoing economic growth.
