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America's Biggest Trading Partners

Paul Toscano@paul.toscano@ToscanoPaul
WATCH LIVE

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 peri

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 Toscano
Posted 2 June 2009

10. Netherlands

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

Total Trade: $73.1 billion
Percent of Total US Trade: 1.8%

US Exports: $48.1 billion
US Imports: $24.9 billion
Trade Gap: $23.2 billion (in U.S. favor)

9. Brazil

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: $74.1 billion
Percent of Total US Trade: 1.9%

US Exports: $38.8 billion
US Imports: $35.2 billion
Trade Gap: $3.6 billion (in U.S. favor)

8. France

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: $88.5 billion
Percent of Total US Trade: 2.2%

US Exports: $36.2 billion
US Imports: $52.4 billion
Trade Gap: $16.2 billion

7. South Korea

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

Total Trade: $98.2 billion
Percent of Total US Trade: 2.5%

US Exports: $40.5 billion
US Imports: $57.8 billion
Trade Gap: $17.3 billion

6. United Kingdom

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

Total Trade: $134.8 billion
Percent of Total US Trade: 3.4%

US Exports: $65.5 billion
US Imports:  $69.3 billion
Trade Gap: $3.8 billion

5. Germany

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

Total Trade: $180.3 billion
Percent of Total US Trade: 4.5%

US Exports:  $65.8 billion
US Imports: $114.4 billion
Trade Gap: $48.6 billion

4. Japan

Total Trade: $240.2Percent of Total US Trade: 6.0%Exports: $79.3 billionImports: $161 billionTrade Gap: $81.7 billion
Photo: AP

Total Trade: $240.2 billion
Percent of Total US Trade: 6.0%

US Exports: $79.3 billion
US Imports: $161 billion
Trade Gap: $81.7 billion

3. Mexico

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

Total Trade: $435.3 billion
Percent of Total US Trade: 10.8%

US Exports:  $180.6 billion
US Imports:  $254.7 billion
Trade Gap: $74.1 billion

2. China

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

Total Trade: $488.5 billion
Percent of Total US Trade: 12.2%

US Exports: $85.9 billion
US Imports: $402.6 billion
Trade Gap: $316.7 billion

1. Canada

Total Trade: $696.3 billion Percent of Total US Trade: 17.4%Exports:  $308.4 billionImports:  $387.9 billionTrade Gap: $79.5 billion
Photo: AP

Total Trade: $696.3 billion
Percent of Total US Trade: 17.4%

US Exports:  $308.4 billion
US Imports:  $387.9 billion
Trade Gap: $79.5 billion