
The United States is one of the world's largest exporters, with a diverse range of goods shipped to countries around the globe.
Agricultural products are a significant portion of US exports, with soybeans being the top export in 2020, valued at over $23 billion.
The US is also a major exporter of aircraft and aircraft parts, with Boeing leading the charge.
Overview
Exports are incredibly important to modern economies because they offer people and firms many more markets for their goods. Governments use exports as leverage over political situations, as seen in the White House's executive order prohibiting certain goods to and from Russia in response to the war in Ukraine.
Exports play a factor in determining a country's financial and economic well-being, as they are a component of a country's gross domestic product (GDP). A country's net exports is the difference between the dollar value of its total exports minus its total imports.
Goods may be sent via direct exporting or indirect exporting. Direct exporting entails working directly with an importer, but may require teams with specialized knowledge.
Export Products
The United States is a significant player in the global export market, with a diverse range of products being shipped around the world.
According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, the U.S. exported $59.2 billion of vehicles in 2024, with Canada being the top importer, accounting for 26% of car exports.
The top export products of the United States in 2024 were dominated by energy-related goods, with crude oil being the most valuable at $118.5 billion. Processed petroleum oils came in second at $117.5 billion.
Aircraft and spacecraft were another major export category, with a value of $98.3 billion, a 3.8% increase from 2023. Mineral fuels, including oil, were also a significant export, valued at $69 billion, a 22% increase from 2023.
The following table shows the top 5 export products of the United States in 2024:
The top export companies of the United States include AbbVie, Apple, Boeing, Chevron Corporation, and Cisco Systems, among others.
Export Statistics
The United States is a leading exporter of various goods, with a total export value of $887 billion in 2024, accounting for 43% of all products exported from the U.S. during that year.
Crude oil was the top export, valued at $118.5 billion, followed by processed petroleum oils at $117.5 billion, and petroleum gases at $62.2 billion. These three products alone account for a significant share of the country's total exports.
The U.S. also exported a large quantity of cars, valued at $59.2 billion, with BMW Manufacturing leading the way by exporting over 225,000 vehicles worth over $10 billion. The top destinations for U.S.-made cars were Canada, Germany, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Mexico.
Here's a breakdown of the top 10 exports by value in 2024:
Top by Year
The United States has had some significant top exports over the years. Aircraft was the top export in 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1998.
The dominance of aircraft as a top export was short-lived, as integrated circuits took over from 1994 to 2006, except for those years when aircraft was the top export. Petroleum/oil became the top export from 2008 to 2021.
Here's a breakdown of the top exports by year:
Recommended Statistics
The United States is a leading exporter of automotive vehicles, with $59.2 billion worth of vehicles exported in 2024 alone.
The country's top export destinations for vehicles in 2024 were Canada, Germany, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Mexico.
The U.S. also imported a significant amount of vehicles in 2024, with $217 billion worth of cars imported, mostly from Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and Canada.
BMW Manufacturing led domestic companies in the value of cars exported, with its South Carolina plant exporting over 225,000 vehicles worth over $10 billion in 2024.
Here are some key statistics on the U.S. trade balance:
- U.S. total value of international U.S. exports of goods and services 2000-2023: a significant amount of data, but unfortunately, the exact figure is not provided in the article.
- U.S. exports growth rate 1990-2029: the article does not provide a specific growth rate, but it's clear that the U.S. has been a major player in international trade for decades.
- U.S. trade balance 2000-2024: the article provides a premium statistic, but unfortunately, it's not included in the basic statistics section.
The United States has a strong competitive advantage in the aerospace-related product category, with highly positive net exports in the international trade of aircraft launching gear and other on-deck landing equipment.
The country's top export categories with positive net exports include aircraft, spacecraft, mineral fuels including oil, and other chemical goods.
Here are some specific statistics on the U.S. trade surplus:
Export Companies

The United States has a diverse range of export companies across various industries. One notable example is AbbVie, a pharmaceutical company that exports its products globally.
Apple, a leading computer hardware manufacturer, is another prominent export company from the United States. Its products are in high demand worldwide.
Boeing, an aerospace company, is a significant player in the global export market. Its aircraft and related products are exported to many countries.
The United States is home to many other major export companies, including Chevron Corporation, Cisco Systems, ConocoPhillips, Eli Lilly and Company, Exxon Mobil, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co, Occidental Petroleum, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Philip Morris International, Procter & Gamble, Qualcomm, Schlumberger, and The Coca-Cola Company.
Here is a list of some of the larger international trade players from the United States:
- AbbVie (pharmaceuticals)
- Apple (computer hardware)
- Boeing (aerospace)
- Chevron Corporation (oil, gas)
- Cisco Systems (communications equipment)
- ConocoPhillips (oil, gas)
- Eli Lilly and Company (pharmaceuticals)
- Exxon Mobil (oil, gas)
- Intel (semiconductors)
- Johnson & Johnson (medical equipment, supplies)
- Merck & Co (pharmaceuticals)
- Occidental Petroleum (oil, gas)
- PepsiCo (beverages)
- Pfizer (pharmaceuticals)
- Philip Morris International (tobacco)
- Procter & Gamble (household, personal care items)
- Qualcomm (semiconductors)
- Schlumberger (oil, gas)
- The Coca-Cola Company (beverages)
Export Partners
The United States has a diverse range of export partners, with various countries and regions receiving a significant portion of U.S. exports. The country's top export partners for trade goods in 2023 were led by Canada, Mexico, and China.
The value of U.S. exports to Canada from 1985 to 2024 has been steadily increasing, reaching $15.5 billion in 2024. This is a significant portion of the U.S. car exports, with 26% of all car exports going to Canada.
The U.S. exports of trade goods to Mexico from 1985 to 2024 have also been substantial, with a total value of $59.2 billion in 2024. In addition to cars, the U.S. also exported a significant amount of vehicles to other countries, including Germany, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan.
Here is a list of the top export partners for the U.S. in 2023, based on the value of trade goods:
- Canada: $15.5 billion
- Mexico: $13.4 billion
- China: $12.4 billion
- Germany: $10.2 billion
- Japan: $9.5 billion
The U.S. also exported a significant amount of trade goods to the European Union, with a total value of $24.5 billion in 2024. This is in addition to the $10 billion worth of vehicles exported by BMW Manufacturing in 2024.
Benefits
The benefits of exporting are numerous, and one key advantage is that nearly 96% of consumers live outside the U.S. This means that by exporting, American businesses can tap into a vast and largely untapped market.
Two-thirds of the world's purchasing power is in foreign countries, presenting a significant opportunity for U.S. businesses to expand their customer base and increase revenue.
Examples and Insights
The United States is a leading exporter of automotive vehicles, with $59.2 billion worth of vehicles exported in 2024, making up 26% of car exports to Canada. BMW Manufacturing led domestic companies by the value of cars exported, with its South Carolina plant alone exporting over 225,000 vehicles with a total value of over $10 billion.
In 2024, the U.S. was also the top importer of vehicles, importing $217 billion of cars, mostly from Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and Canada. This highlights the significant trade in vehicles between the U.S. and other countries.
Here are the top 25 exported goods from the U.S. in 2024, worth a subtotal of $887 billion or 43% by value for all products exported from the U.S. during 2024:
- Crude oil: US$118.5 billion (up 1.1% since 2023)
- Processed petroleum oils: $117.5 billion (up 4.1%)
- Petroleum gases: $62.2 billion (down -8%)
- Cars: $59.2 billion (down -6.1%)
- Blood fractions (including antisera): $54.6 billion (up 9.4%)
- Integrated circuits/microassemblies: $50.6 billion (up 16.2%)
- Automobile parts/accessories: $45.1 billion (down -5.1%)
- Computers, optical readers: $40.1 billion (up 31.2%)
- Phone devices including smartphones: $39 billion (up 4.5%)
- Electro-medical equipment (e.g. xrays): $36.8 billion (up 0.6%)
- Medication mixes in dosage: $33.7 billion (down -2.4%)
- Gold (unwrought): $29.7 billion (up 14%)
- Soya beans: $24.6 billion (down -12.3%)
- Computer parts, accessories: $24 billion (up 70.6%)
- Trucks: $21.2 billion (down -6.8%)
- Machinery for making semi-conductors: $19.7 billion (down -1.8%)
- Ethylene polymers: $16.5 billion (up 3.4%)
- Corn: $14.3 billion (up 4.8%)
- Coal, solid fuels made from coal: $14.2 billion (down -7.7%)
- Taps, valves, similar appliances: $14.1 billion (up 5%)
- Turbo-jets: $14.1 billion (up 23.8%)
- Orthopedic appliances: $13 billion (down -0.5%)
- Insulated wire/cable: $12.6 billion (down -0.3%)
- Diamonds (unmounted/unset): $12.4 billion (down -26.2%)
- Lower-voltage switches, fuses: $12.4 billion (down -0.6%)
Key Insights
The United States is a leading export country worldwide, with its exports growing steadily over the years. According to data from 2023, the U.S. exports account for a significant percentage of its GDP.
The U.S. exports of services have been on the rise, with a total value of $1,026,596 million in 2023. This is a notable increase from the previous year's total of $924,168 million.
Here's a breakdown of the U.S. exports of services by major category in 2023:
Some of the most valuable export products from the U.S. in 2024 include crude oil, processed petroleum oils, and integrated circuits/microassemblies.
Example of Export
The United States is a significant player in the global automotive market, with a notable example being its exports of vehicles. In 2024, the U.S. exported $59.2 billion of vehicles worldwide.
Canada is a major destination for U.S.-made vehicles, with over $15.5 billion worth of cars shipped there, accounting for 26% of U.S. car exports.
Germany, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Mexico were also significant importers of U.S.-made vehicles in 2024. The U.S. was the top importer of vehicles that year, bringing in $217 billion of cars.
BMW Manufacturing led the way among domestic companies in terms of exported car value, with its South Carolina plant alone exporting over 225,000 vehicles worth over $10 billion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the #1 exporter to the US?
Mexico is the #1 exporter to the US, surpassing other countries in trade. Its manufacturing sector drives this success, solidifying its position in the US market.
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