US CHINA

https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/china-mongolia-taiwan/peoples-republic-china

U.S.-China Trade Facts

Overview

In 2020, China GDP was an estimated $14.9 trillion (current market exchange rates); real GDP was
up by an estimated 1.9 percent; and the population was 1.4 billion. (Source: IMF)

U.S. goods and services trade with China totaled an estimated $615.2 billion in 2020. Exports were
$164.9 billion; imports were $450.4 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade deficit with China was
$285.5 billion in 2020.

China is currently our largest goods trading partner with $559.2 billion in total (two way) goods
trade during 2020. Goods exports totaled $124.5 billion; goods imports totaled $434.7 billion. The
U.S. goods trade deficit with China was $310.3 billion in 2020.

Trade in services with China (exports and imports) totaled an estimated $56.0 billion in 2020.
Services exports were $40.4 billion; services imports were $15.6 billion. The U.S. services trade
surplus with China was $24.8 billion in 2020.

According to the Department of Commerce, U.S. exports of goods and services to China supported
an estimated 758,000 jobs in 2019 (latest data available) (475,000 supported by goods exports and
283,000 supported by services exports).

Exports

China was the United States' 3rd largest goods export market in 2020.

U.S. goods exports to China in 2020 were $124.5 billion, up 16.9 percent ($18.0 billion) from 2019
and up 35 percent from 2010. U.S. exports to China are up 549.0 percent from 2001 (pre-WTO
accession). U.S. exports to China account for 8.7 percent of overall U.S. exports in 2020.

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2020 were: electrical machinery ($17 billion), oilseeds and
oleaginous fruits (soybeans) ($15 billion), machinery ($14 billion), mineral fuels ($10.0 billion), and
optical and medical instruments ($9.5 billion).

U.S. total exports of agricultural products to China totaled $26.5 billion in 2020, our largest
agricultural export market. Leading domestic export categories include: soybeans ($14 billion), pork

1
and pork products ($2.3 billion), cotton ($1.8 billion), corn ($1.2 billion), and coarse grains (excluding
corn) ($1.1 billion).

U.S. exports of services to China were an estimated $40.4 billion in 2020, 31.9 percent ($19 billion)
less than 2019, but 97 percent greater than 2010 levels. It was up roughly 617.7 percent from 2001
(pre-WTO accession). Leading services exports from the U.S. to China were in the travel, intellectual
property (licenses for the use of research and development), and financial services sectors.

Imports

China was the United States' largest supplier of goods imports in 2020.

U.S. goods imports from China totaled $434.7 billion in 2020, down 3.6 percent ($16.0 billion)
from 2019, but up 19 percent from 2010. U.S. imports from are up 325 percent from 2001 (pre-WTO
accession). U.S. imports from China account for 18.6 percent of overall U.S. imports in 2020.

The top import categories (2-digit HS) in 2020 were: electrical machinery ($111 billion), machinery
($97 billion), toys and sports equipment ($26 billion), furniture and bedding ($23 billion), and
miscellaneous textile articles ($21 billion).

U.S. total imports of agricultural products from China totaled $3.8 billion in 2020, our 7th largest
supplier of agricultural imports. Leading categories include: processed fruit and vegetables ($896
million), food preparations ($327 million), dog and cat food ($202 million), fruit and vegetable juices
($198 million), and other livestock products ($193 million).

U.S. imports of services from China were an estimated $15.6 billion in 2020, 21.2 percent ($4.2
billion) less than 2019, but 36 percent greater than 2010 levels. It was up roughly 370.9 percent from
2001 (pre-WTO accession). Leading services imports from China to the U.S. were in the
transportation, research and development, and professional and management services sectors.

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade deficit with China was $310.3 billion in 2020, a 9.9 percent decrease ($34.0
billion) over 2019.

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 The United States has a services trade surplus of an estimated $24.8 billion with China in 2020,
down 37.3 percent from 2019.

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in China (stock) was $123.9 billion in 2020, a 9.4 percent
increase from 2019. U.S. direct investment in China is led by manufacturing, wholesale trade, and
finance and insurance.

China's FDI in the United States (stock) was $38.0 billion in 2020, down 4.2 percent from 2019.
China's reported direct investment in the U.S. is led by wholesale trade, manufacturing, and
information services.

Sales of services in China by majority U.S.-owned affiliates were $59.6 billion in 2018 (latest data
available), while sales of services in the United States by majority China-owned firms were $20.6
billion.

US JAPAN

https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/japan-korea-apec/japan

apan

On November 17, 2021, the United States and Japan announced the formation of the U.S.-Japan
Partnership on Trade. For additional information click here.

On November 17, 2021, the United States, Japan, and the European Union agreed to renew their
trilateral partnership to address the global challenges posed by non-market policies and practices of
third countries. For additional information click here.

For information on the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement negotiations, click here .

3
U.S.-Japan Trade Facts

U.S. goods and services trade with Japan totaled an estimated $252.2 billion in 2020. Exports were
$102.1 billion; imports were $150.1 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade deficit with Japan was
$48.0 billion in 2020.

Japan is currently our 4th largest goods trading partner with $183.6 billion in total (two way) goods
trade during 2020. Goods exports totaled $64.1 billion; goods imports totaled $119.5 billion. The
U.S. goods trade deficit with Japan was $55.4 billion in 2020.

Trade in services with Japan (exports and imports) totaled an estimated $68.6 billion in 2020.
Services exports were $38.0 billion; services imports were $30.6 billion. The U.S. services trade
surplus with Japan was $7.4 billion in 2020.

Exports

Japan was the United States' 4th largest goods export market in 2020.

U.S. goods exports to Japan in 2020 were $64.1 billion, down 13.8 percent ($10.3 billion) from
2019 but up 6 percent from 2010. U.S. exports to Japan account for 4.5 percent of overall U.S.
exports in 2020.

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2020 were: mineral fuels ($7.2 billion), machinery ($7.1
billion), optical and medical instruments ($6.6 billion), aircraft ($4.9 billion), and electrical machinery
($4.2 billion).

U.S. total exports of agricultural products to Japan totaled $11.8 billion in 2020, our 4th largest
agricultural export market. Leading domestic export categories include: beef and beef products ($1.9
billion), corn ($1.8 billion), pork and pork products ($1.6 billion), soybeans ($1.1 billion), and wheat
($635 million).

U.S. exports of services to Japan were an estimated $38.0 billion in 2020, 24.1 percent ($12 billion)
less than 2019, but 13 percent less than 2010 levels. Leading services exports from the U.S. to Japan
were in the professional and management services, charges for the use of intellectual property, and
transport sectors.

4
Imports

Japan was the United States' 4th largest supplier of goods imports in 2020.

U.S. goods imports from Japan totaled $119.5 billion in 2020, down 16.8 percent ($24.1 billion)
from 2019, and down 1 percent from 2010. U.S. imports from Japan account for 5.1 percent of
overall U.S. imports in 2020.

The top import categories (2-digit HS) in 2020 were: vehicles ($40 billion), machinery ($27 billion),
electrical machinery ($16 billion), optical and medical instruments ($6.0 billion), and pharmaceuticals
($4.9 billion).

U.S. total imports of agricultural products from Japan totaled $831 million in 2020. Leading
categories include: baked goods, cereals, and pasta ($96 million), distilled spirits ($84 million),
condiments and sauces ($83 million), tea ($82 million), and food preparations ($77 million).

U.S. imports of services from Japan were an estimated $30.6 billion in 2020, 14.5 percent ($5.2
billion) less than 2019, but 22 percent greater than 2010 levels. Leading services imports from Japan
to the U.S. were in the charges for the use of intellectual property, transport, and professional and
management services sectors.

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade deficit with Japan was $55.4 billion in 2020, a 19.9 percent decrease ($13.8
billion) over 2019.

The United States has a services trade surplus of an estimated $7.4 billion with Japan in 2020,
down 48 percent from 2019.

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Japan (stock) was $131.8 billion in 2019, a 16.4 percent
increase from 2018. U.S. direct investment in Japan is led by finance and insurance, manufacturing,
and wholesale trade.

5
 Japan's FDI in the United States (stock) was $619.3 billion in 2019, up 25.4 percent from 2018.
Japan's direct investment in the U.S. is led by manufacturing, wholesale trade, and finance and
insurance.

Sales of services in Japan by majority U.S.-owned affiliates were $77.4 billion in 2018 (latest data
available), while sales of services in the United States by majority Japan-owned firms were $173.2
billion.

US-EU TRADE

https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-
regions/united-states_en

EU trade relations with the United States. Facts, figures and latest developments.

Country or region

United States

Trade topics

Negotiations and agreementsTrade policy

The European Union and the United States have the largest bilateral trade and investment
relationship and enjoy the most integrated economic relationship in the world. Although
overtaken by China in 2021 as the largest EU import source for goods, the US remains the
EU’s largest trade and investment partner by far.

The transatlantic relationship defines the world economy. Either the EU or the US is the
largest trade and investment partner of almost every other country in the global economy.
Taken together, the economies of both territories amount to more than 40% of world GDP
and more than 40% of global trade in goods and services.

Trade picture
 The EU-US trade and investment relationship remains strong despite the economic
challenges related to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, EU companies exported goods worth
€353 billion, almost €2 billion more than in 2018. More than 164,000 EU companies export
to the US, almost 93,000 of which are SMEs.
 Total US investment in the EU is three times higher than in all of Asia.

6
  EU investment in the US is around eight times the amount of EU investment in India and
China together.
 EU and US investments are the real driver of the transatlantic relationship, contributing to
growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. A third of this transatlantic trade comprises
intra-company transfers.
 The transatlantic relationship defines the shape of the overall global economy. For most
countries, either the EU or the US is the largest trade and investment partner.
 Together, the EU and the US economies account for about half of world GDP and for nearly a
third of world trade flows.

The EU and the United States

Investment partners

The EU and the US are each other’s biggest source of foreign direct investment. In 2019, the
EU registered €2.2 trillion in outward stock, and €2.0 trillion in inward stock.  EU and US
investment is an important driver of the transatlantic relationship and contributes to growth
and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. A third of all transatlantic trade comprises intra-
company transfers, a testimony to the deep economic integration between the EU and US
markets.

Find out more about the trade and investment relationship between the EU and the US on
the website of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States.

Negotiations

Despite the US being the EU’s largest trading partner, there is no dedicated free trade
agreement between the EU and the US. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
(TTIP) negotiations were launched in 2013, but ended without conclusion at the end of 2016.
They were formally closed in 2019 after being considered obsolete. Nevertheless,
transatlantic trade continues to enjoy one of the lowest average tariffs (under 3%) in the
world, governed by World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

 Background information on the past TTIP negotiations and negotiating texts

Disputes

Despite the fact that trade disputes tend to grab headlines, the current disputes only affect
around 2% of EU-US trade. The WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism handles some of these
disputes.

 More information on the current EU-US trade disputes in the WTO

The EU-US Summit of 2021 made progress towards resolving some of the longest-standing
trade disputes between the two parties. At the summit, both sides:

 Took a decisive step toward resolving the Airbus-Boeing WTO dispute, by creating a
Cooperative Framework for Large Civil Aircraft, and suspending related US and EU tariffs for
five years.

7
  Confirmed their determination to work together to resolve tensions from the US application
of tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium from the EU under US Section 232. Both sides
agreed to work towards allowing trade to recover from its 2020 lows and ending the WTO
disputes.

Dialogues and meetings

The EU and the US discuss trade and other items related to trade on a regular basis in various
fora, such as at the World Trade Organization, at EU-US summits, and on an ad-hoc basis.

After the 2021 EU-US summit, the European Union and the United States released a Joint
Statement announcing a renewed transatlantic partnership in the post-pandemic era. This
agenda centres on global health challenges, green growth, strengthening trade relations, and
fostering democratic values for a more secure world.

Trade and Technology Council

The European Union and the United States launched the EU-US Trade and Technology
Council (TTC) at their summit in Brussels on 15 June 2021. The TTC serves as a forum for
the EU and the US to coordinate approaches to key global trade, economic and technology
issues, and to deepen transatlantic trade and economic relations based on shared democratic
values.

At the TTC’s inaugural meeting in Pittsburgh on 29 September 2021, the US and the EU
published a Joint Statement agreeing to deepen transatlantic cooperation to strengthen
semiconductor supply chains, curb non-market trade practices, and adopt a more unified
approach to regulating global technology firms, with each party respecting the other’s
regulatory autonomy.

The two sides agreed to exchange information on investment trends affecting security,
including industry-specific trends, origin of investments, and types of transaction. They also
agreed to share best practices on analysing and addressing risk, focusing on sensitive
technologies and data.

This work takes place in 10 working groups. Some groups focus on developing technology
standards, advancing supply chain security, export controls, and investment screening. Other
groups look at developing finance for secure and resilient digital connectivity in third-world
countries, tackling arbitrary or unlawful surveillance, and promoting SMEs’ access to digital
tools.

https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/europe-middle-east/europe/european-union

European Union
On August 21, 2020, United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and then-EU
Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan announced that the United States and the EU had agreed to

8
a package of tariff reductions that will increase market access for hundreds of millions of
dollars in U.S. and EU exports.  These tariff reductions would be the first negotiated bilateral
reductions in duties in more than two decades. 

Under the agreement, the EU will eliminate tariffs on imports of U.S. live and frozen lobster
products.  U.S. exports of these products to the EU were over $111 million in 2017.  The EU
will eliminate these tariffs on a Most Favored Nation (MFN) basis, retroactive to begin
August 1, 2020.  The EU tariffs will be eliminated for a period of five years, and the
European Commission will seek to make the tariff changes permanent.  The United States
will reduce by 50% its tariff rates on certain products exported by the EU worth an average
annual trade value of $160 million, including certain prepared meals, certain crystal
glassware, surface preparations, propellant powders, cigarette lighters and lighter parts.  The
U.S. tariff reductions will also be made on an MFN basis and be retroactive to August 1,
2020.

This bilateral tariff agreement, which the United States and the EU plan formally to
implement in the fall of 2020, was the culmination of negotiations that intensified following a
January 2020 meeting in Davos, Switzerland, between President Trump and European
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.  U.S.-EU discussions on possible tariff
reductions and on the removal of non-tariff barriers to transatlantic trade began in earnest in
July 2018, when President Trump met at the White House with Commission President von
der Leyen’s predecessor, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

In 2019, at the direction of President Trump, the United States completed formal procedures
necessary to launch negotiations on a trade agreement, as did the European Commission.  

U.S. goods and services trade with the EU 27 totaled an estimated $1.1 trillion in 2019.
Exports were $468 billion; imports were $598 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade
deficit with the EU 27 was $130 billion in 2019.

U.S. Goods trade (exports plus imports) with the EU 27 totaled $720 billion in 2019. Goods
exports totaled $268 billion; goods imports totaled $452 billion. The U.S. goods trade deficit
with The EU 27 was $184 billion in 2019.

Trade in services with the EU 27 (exports and imports) totaled an estimated $346.2 billion in
2019. Services exports were $200 billion; services imports were $146 billion. The U.S.
services trade surplus with the EU 27 was $54 billion in 2019.

Exports

 U.S. goods exports to the EU 27 in 2019 totaled $267.6 billion, up 6.2 percent ($15.7
billion) from 2018 and up 53 percent from 2009. U.S. exports to the EU 27 account
for 16.3 percent of overall U.S. exports in 2019.
 The top five U.S. export markets to the EU 27 in 2019 were: Germany ($60.1 billion),
Netherlands ($51.1 billion), France ($37.7 billion), Belgium ($34.7 billion), and Italy (23.8
billion).
 

9
  The top 5 U.S. export markets in the EU countries for 2018 were: United Kingdom
($66.2 billion), Germany ($57.7 billion), Netherlands ($49.4 billion), France ($36.3
billion), and Belgium ($31.4 billion).
 The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2019 were: aircraft ($35.7 billion), mineral fuels
($28.9 billion), machinery ($26.4 billion), optical and medical instruments ($25.8 billion), and
pharmaceuticals ($25.6 billion).
 
 U.S. total exports (domestic exports plus re-exports) of agricultural products to the EU 27
totaled $10.3 billion in 2019. Leading domestic export categories include: tree nuts ($2.9
billion), soybeans ($1.9 billion), planting seeds ($458 million), prepared food ($400 million),
and wine & beer ($251 million).
 
 U.S. exports of services to the EU 27 were an estimated $200.3 billion in 2019, 5.0 percent
($9.6 billion) more than 2018, and 58 percent greater than 2009 levels. Leading services
exports from the U.S. to the EU 27 were in the intellectual property (licenses to reproduce
and/or distribute computer software), professional and management services, and travel
sectors.

Imports

 U.S. goods imports from the EU 27 totaled $452.0 billion in 2019, up 6.0 percent
($25.8 billion) from 2018, and up 93 percent from 2009. U.S. imports from the EU 27
account for 18.1 percent of overall U.S. imports in 2019.
 The top five U.S. import suppliers from the EU 27 in 2019 were: Germany ($127.5
billion), Ireland ($62.0 billion), France ($57.6 billion), Italy ($57.3 billion), and
Netherlands ($29.7 billion).
 The top import categories (2-digit HS) in 2019 were: pharmaceuticals ($77.0 billion),
machinery ($75.6 billion), vehicles ($44.2 billion), optical and medical instruments
($30.1 billion), and special other (returns) ($27.4 billion).
 U.S. total imports (general) of agricultural products from the EU 27 totaled $23.9 billion in
2019. Leading categories include: wine and beer ($6.3 billion), essential oils ($3.2 billion),
snack foods ($1.7 billion), processed fruit & vegetables ($1.4 billion), and other vegetable
oils ($1.3 billion).
 
 U.S. imports of services from the EU 27 were an estimated $145.9 billion in 2019, 9.1
percent ($12.1 billion) more than 2018, and 39 percent greater than 2009 levels. Leading
services imports from the EU 27 to the U.S. were in the travel, transport, and intellectual
property (including education) sectors.

Trade Balance

 The U.S. goods trade deficit with the EU 27 was $184.3 billion in 2019, a 5.8 percent increase
($10.1 billion) over 2018.
 
 The United States has a services trade surplus of an estimated $54.4 billion with the EU 27 in
2019, down 4.5 percent from 2018.
 

Investment

10
  U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in the EU 27 (stock) was $2.4 trillion in 2019, a 2.8
percent increase from 2018. U.S. direct investment in the EU 27 is led by nonbank holding
companies, manufacturing, and finance and insurance.
 
 The EU 27's FDI in the United States (stock) was $2.0 trillion in 2019, up 3.3 percent from
2018. The EU 27's direct investment in the U.S. is led by manufacturing, wholesale trade, and
finance and insurance.
 
 Sales of services in EU 27 by majority U.S.-owned affiliates were $487.3 billion in 2017 (latest
data available), while sales of services in the United States by majority EU 27-owned firms
were $402.5 billion.

UK

https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/europe-middle-east/europe/united-kingdom

 Countries & Regions

 Europe & Middle East

 Europe

 United Kingdom

United Kingdom
The United States and the United Kingdom launched trade negotiations on May 5, 2020. 
Click here for the latest on these negotiations.

In 2019, United Kingdom GDP was an estimated $2.7 trillion (current market exchange
rates); real GDP was up by an estimated 1.4%; and the population was 67 million. (Source:
IMF)

U.S. goods and services trade with United Kingdom totaled an estimated $273.0 billion in
2019. Exports were $147.4 billion; imports were $125.6 billion. The U.S. goods and services
trade surplus with United Kingdom was $21.8 billion in 2019.

United Kingdom is currently our 7th largest goods trading partner with $132.3 billion in total
(two way) goods trade during 2019. Goods exports totaled $69.1 billion; goods imports
totaled $63.2 billion. The U.S. goods trade surplus with United Kingdom was $5.9 billion in
2019.

Trade in services with United Kingdom (exports and imports) totaled an estimated $140.7
billion in 2019. Services exports were $78.3 billion; services imports were $62.3 billion. The
U.S. services trade surplus with United Kingdom was $16.0 billion in 2019.

11
According to the Department of Commerce, U.S. exports of goods and services to United
Kingdom supported an estimated 665 thousand jobs in 2015 (latest data available) (238
thousand supported by goods exports and 427 thousand supported by services exports).

Exports

 United Kingdom was the United States' 5th largest goods export market in 2019.
 
 U.S. goods exports to United Kingdom in 2019 were $69.1 billion, up 3.9% ($2.6 billion) from
2018 and up 51% from 2009. U.S. exports to United Kingdom account for 4% of overall U.S.
exports in 2019.
 
 The top export categories in 2019 were: precious metal and stone (gold) ($14 billion),
aircraft ($10 billion), mineral fuels ($7.4 billion), machinery ($6.2 billion), and electrical
machinery ($4.6 billion).
 
 U.S. total exports of agricultural products to United Kingdom totaled $1.7 billion in 2019, our
16th largest agricultural export market. Leading domestic export categories include: wine &
beer ($263 million), tree nuts ($211 million), prepared food ($151 million), soybeans ($100
million), and fresh vegetables ($77 million).
 
 U.S. exports of services to United Kingdom were an estimated $78.3 billion in 2019, 2.6%
($2.1 billion) less than 2018, and 50% greater than 2009 levels. Leading services exports
from the U.S. to United Kingdom were in the financial services, travel, and intellectual
property (audio visual and related products) sectors.
 

Imports

 United Kingdom was the United States' 8th largest supplier of goods imports in 2019.
 
 U.S. goods imports from United Kingdom totaled $63.2 billion in 2019, up 4.2% ($2.5 billion)
from 2018, and up 33.1% from 2009. U.S. imports from United Kingdom account for 2.5% of
overall U.S. imports in 2019.
 
 The top import categories (2-digit HS) in 2019 were: vehicles ($11 billion), machinery ($10
billion), special other (returns) ($6.7 billion), pharmaceuticals ($5.1 billion), and mineral fuels
($4 billion).
 
 U.S. total imports of agricultural products from United Kingdom totaled $806 million in 2019.
Leading categories include: snack foods ($126 million), cheese ($60 million), wine & beer
($52 million), red meats, fresh, chilled, or frozen ($46 million), and live animals ($39 million).
 
 U.S. imports of services from United Kingdom were an estimated $62.3 billion in 2019, 0.3%
($160 million) more than 2018, and 61.9% greater than 2009 levels. Leading services imports
from United Kingdom to the U.S. were in the travel, financial services, and professional and
management services sectors.
 

Trade Balance

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  The U.S. goods trade surplus with United Kingdom was $5.9 billion in 2019, a 1.8% increase
($101 million) over 2018.
 
 The United States has a services trade surplus of an estimated $16 billion with United
Kingdom in 2019, down 12.3% from 2018.

Investment 

 U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in United Kingdom (stock) was $851.4 billion in 2019, a
6.9% increase from 2018. U.S. direct investment in United Kingdom is led by nonbank
holding companies, finance and insurance, and manufacturing.
 
 United Kingdom's FDI in the United States (stock) was $505.1 billion in 2019, up 1.7% from
2018. United Kingdom's direct investment in the U.S. is led by manufacturing, wholesale
trade, and finance and insurance.
 
 Sales of services in United Kingdom by majority U.S.-owned affiliates were $247.2 billion in
2017 (latest data available), while sales of services in the United States by majority United
Kingdom-owned firms were $152.6 billion.

U.S. Goods and Services Trade with United Kingdom (in billions of dollars)

  2009 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Total 185.9 231.2 240.7 232.9 243.9 269.8 273.0

Exports 98.0 120.2 126.3 124.9 130.9 146.9 147.4

Imports 87.9 111.0 114.4 108.0 112.9 122.9 125.6

Balance 10.1 9.3 11.8 16.9 18.0 24.0 21.8

U.S. Goods Trade with United Kingdom (in billions of dollars)

  2009 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Total 93.2 108.6 114.2 109.5 109.5 127.2 132.3

Exports 45.7 53.9 56.1 55.2 56.3 66.5 69.1

Imports 47.5 54.7 58.1 54.3 53.3 60.7 63.2

Balance -1.8 -0.8 -2.0 0.9 3.0 5.8 5.9

U.S. Agricultural Trade with United Kingdom (in billions of dollars)

  2009 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Total 1.8 2.5 2.6 2.8 2.6 2.8 2.5

Exports 1.2 1.8 1.8 2.0 1.8 2.0 1.7

Imports 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8

13
 U.S. Agricultural Trade with United Kingdom (in billions of dollars)

  2009 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Balance 0.6 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.1 0.9

U.S. Manufacturing Trade with United Kingdom (in billions of dollars)

  2009 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Total 80.6 92.1 97.7 93.4 90.9 103.0 105.9

Exports 40.3 45.3 48.4 47.6 46.3 53.0 52.2

Imports 40.3 46.8 49.3 45.8 44.6 50.0 51.6

Balance 0.0 -1.5 -0.9 1.9 1.7 3.0 2.6

U.S. Services Trade with United Kingdom (in billions of dollars)

  2009 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Total 92.7 122.6 126.6 123.5 134.3 142.6 140.7

Exports 52.3 66.3 70.2 69.7 74.7 80.4 78.3

Imports 40.4 56.3 56.4 53.8 59.6 62.2 62.3

Balance 11.9 10.1 13.8 15.9 15.0 18.2 16.0

US – GERMANY

https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-germany/

More information about Germany is available on the Germany Page and from other
Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.

U.S.-GERMANY RELATIONS

Following U.S. independence from Great Britain, the United States established the first
Consulate on German soil in Hamburg in June 1790, and the second one in Bremen in 1794,
both independent German states at the time.  The United States established diplomatic
relations with the Kingdom of Prussia in 1797, then the German Empire in 1871.  U.S.-
German relations were terminated in 1917 during World War I, and the United States
declared war on Germany. Relations were reestablished in 1921 but were severed again in

14
1941 during World War II when Nazi Germany declared war on the United States.  After the
war, Germany, and its capital, Berlin, were divided into four zones occupied by Allied
powers.  In 1955, the United States established diplomatic relations with West Germany,
which included the U.S., British, and French zones.  The United States established diplomatic
relations in 1974 with East Germany, which included the Soviet Union’s zone. West
Germany and East Germany were unified in 1990.

Today, Germany is one of the United States’ closest and strongest Allies in Europe.  U.S.

relations with Germany are based on our mutual and vital relationship as friends, trading
partners, and Allies.  Our political, economic, cultural, and security relationships, critical to
shared prosperity and continued stability, are based on extensive people-to-people ties and
close coordination at the most senior levels.

In the political sphere, Germany stands at the center of European affairs and plays a key
leadership role as a member of the G-7, G-20, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) and the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).  The United
States recognizes that the security and prosperity of the United States and Germany
significantly depend on each other.  As Allies in NATO, the United States and Germany
work side by side to maintain peace, security, and freedom.  Germany plays an important role
in NATO’s core mission of collective defense, serving as a framework nation for NATO’s
Enhanced Forward Presence, regularly contributing to NATO’s Baltic Air Policing, and
taking the lead on NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) for the second
time in 2019.  U.S. and German troops work together effectively in NATO and UN
operations worldwide, including in Mali and elsewhere in Africa, as well as on peacekeeping
efforts in the Balkans.  Germany was an integral part of the UN-mandated International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan and is a Framework Nation in the NATO-
led Resolute Support Mission.  Since 2015, Germany has been an active contributor to the
Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.  Germany maintains troops in Iraq as part of the NATO
training mission and is a top financial contributor for stabilization in Syria.   NATO’s
Operation Sea Guardian in the Mediterranean and the UN Maritime Task Force in support of
Lebanon also include German naval assets.

The U.S. and Germany have strong people-to-people relations.  More than 40 million
Americans of German heritage live in the United States, comprising the largest ethnic
ancestry group of the United States.  Established in 1952, the U.S.-Germany Fulbright
program is one of the oldest, largest, and most innovative Fulbright programs in the world,
and the binational German-American Fulbright Commission has created initiatives such as
diversity programs and an international higher education administrators seminar, which are
emulated by other Fulbright commissions in Europe and around the world.  The German
government has been consistent in providing exceptionally strong funding for the Fulbright
Program, which allows the binational Fulbright Commission to meet our two governments’
priorities.  Since 1983, the bilateral Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange program has
provided almost 28,000 U.S. and German high school students and young professionals with
an academic year exchange experience resulting in thousands of new personal and
professional connections between the United States and Germany.  Each year approximately
9,000 students and 1,200 teachers participate in three-week exchanges across the United
States and Germany through the German-American Partnership Program (GAPP).   In
addition, Germany annually sends an outstanding high school student to the United States on
the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship Program.   Notable German alumni of the

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International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) include four German presidents and five
chancellors.

Bilateral Economic Relations 

EU Member States are collectively the United States’ biggest trading partner, and Germany,
as Europe’s largest economy, is at the heart of that relationship.  After China and the United
States, Germany is the world’s third-largest exporter.  Every fourth job in Germany depends
on exports, which accounted for 47 percent of Germany’s GDP in 2019 (almost four times
the export share of U.S. GDP).

In 2019, bilateral trade in goods and services totaled nearly $260 billion, with U.S. exports of
$96.7 billion and imports of $162.9 billion.  All of the $66.2 billion trade deficit in 2019 was
in goods.  Bilateral trade in services ($71.6 billion in 2019) is roughly in balance with a U.S.
surplus of $1.7 billion (down from a $3 billion surplus in 2018).  Major U.S. goods export
categories to Germany in 2019 were aircrafts and parts ($10.1 billion), vehicles ($7 billion),
pharmaceuticals (5 billion), medical equipment ($2.7 billion), and industrial machinery ($2.2
billion), optical and medical instruments ($6.7 billion), and electrical machinery ($5.5
billion).  Major categories of German exports to the United States in 2019 were vehicles
($17.9 billion), pharmaceuticals ($17.6 billion), industrial machinery ($6.8 billion), medical
equipment ($5.8 billion), and returned goods and reimports ($5.6 billion).  Many U.S.
imports from Germany are investment goods such as capital equipment, enabling U.S.
production and exports.  German investments in the United States focus largely on
manufacturing, wholesale trade, as well as finance and insurance.  Altogether, U.S. affiliates
of German firms employ more than 861,000 U.S. workers.

While Americans have invested more than $148 billion FDI in Germany, Germans have
invested $522 billion FDI in the United States – 29 percent of all FDI from the EU.  The
U.S.-German Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation affords U.S. investors
national treatment and provides for the free movement of capital between the United States
and Germany.  Taxation of U.S. firms within Germany is governed by a protocol on the
avoidance of double taxation.

Germany’s Membership in International Organizations 

Germany and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations in
addition to those mentioned above, including the United Nations, Euro-Atlantic Partnership
Council, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.
Germany also is an observer to the Organization of American States.

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