America's Biggest Trading Partners

Foreign trade is an important component of any economy, generally accounting for a significant share of GDP. Examining the numbers behind a country's trading relationships sheds light on the extent of economic interdependence between nations.The data in this report is from the US Census Bureau and represents the total trade of goods — both imports and exports — from January 2008 through March 2009, which are the most recent numbers currently available. It is interesting to note that in this period the top 15 countries represent approximately 71.2% of the $4 trillion in total US foreign trade, with a total trade gap of $905.8 billion (the value that imports exceed exports) overall. Out of the 10 biggest trading partners, only two have trade gaps in the United States’ favor. So, who are America’s biggest trading partners? Click ahead to find out!By Paul ToscanoPosted 2 June 2009

Photo: AP Total Trade: $73.1 billionPercent of Total US Trade: 1.8%US Exports: $48.1 billionUS Imports: $24.9 billionTrade Gap: $23.2 billion (in U.S. favor)

Photo: AP Total Trade: $74.1 billionPercent of Total US Trade: 1.9%US Exports: $38.8 billionUS Imports: $35.2 billionTrade Gap: $3.6 billion (in U.S. favor)

Photo: AP Total Trade: $88.5 billionPercent of Total US Trade: 2.2%US Exports: $36.2 billionUS Imports: $52.4 billionTrade Gap: $16.2 billion

Photo: AP Total Trade: $98.2 billionPercent of Total US Trade: 2.5%US Exports: $40.5 billionUS Imports: $57.8 billionTrade Gap: $17.3 billion

Photo: AP Total Trade: $134.8 billionPercent of Total US Trade: 3.4%US Exports: $65.5 billionUS Imports:  $69.3 billionTrade Gap: $3.8 billion

Photo: AP Total Trade: $180.3 billionPercent of Total US Trade: 4.5%US Exports:  $65.8 billionUS Imports: $114.4 billionTrade Gap: $48.6 billion

Photo: AP Total Trade: $240.2 billionPercent of Total US Trade: 6.0%US Exports: $79.3 billionUS Imports: $161 billionTrade Gap: $81.7 billion

Photo: AP Total Trade: $435.3 billionPercent of Total US Trade: 10.8%US Exports:  $180.6 billionUS Imports:  $254.7 billionTrade Gap: $74.1 billion

Photo: AP Total Trade: $488.5 billionPercent of Total US Trade: 12.2%US Exports: $85.9 billionUS Imports: $402.6 billionTrade Gap: $316.7 billion

Photo: AP Total Trade: $696.3 billion Percent of Total US Trade: 17.4%US Exports:  $308.4 billionUS Imports:  $387.9 billionTrade Gap: $79.5 billionReplay SlideshowThe World's Biggest Debtor NationsThe Biggest Holders of US Gov't DebtThe World's Highest Corporate Tax Rates

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