United States Trade in Goods with China

United States Trade in Goods with China

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Imports Exports Balance United States Trade in Goods with China 1985-2024 Nominal basis, not seasonally adjusted Million $ United States Census Bureau United States

Since 1985, trade between the United States and China has grown exponentially, transforming China into America’s largest trading partner. In the late 1980s, trade volumes were relatively small, with China being a developing economy focused on limited exports. The normalization of diplomatic and economic ties, including China’s “Reform and Opening Up” policies under Deng Xiaoping, laid the foundation for deeper economic engagement. The U.S. granted China Most Favored Nation (MFN) status, significantly boosting Chinese exports to the American market.

The 1990s saw rapid industrialization in China, coupled with a surge in manufacturing exports. China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001 marked a turning point, leading to a significant expansion of trade. By the mid-2000s, China became a global manufacturing hub, with U.S. companies heavily reliant on Chinese supply chains for consumer goods, electronics, and industrial components. The U.S. trade deficit with China widened, leading to domestic concerns about job losses in the manufacturing sector.

By the 2010s, tensions grew over trade imbalances, intellectual property rights, and market access. The U.S.-China trade war (2018–2020) under President Donald Trump introduced tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods, disrupting global supply chains. China retaliated with its own tariffs, affecting industries like agriculture and technology. Despite these tensions, both economies remained interdependent, with China being a key supplier of goods and a major buyer of U.S. agricultural products.

From 2020 to 2024, relations remained complex, shaped by geopolitical tensions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and competition in emerging technologies. The Phase One Trade Agreement (2020) led to temporary tariff reductions, but broader economic disputes over technology restrictions, semiconductor access, and national security concerns persisted. The Biden administration maintained a tough stance on China, emphasizing supply chain diversification while still allowing high trade volumes.

Despite political challenges, U.S.-China trade remains one of the largest bilateral trade relationships in the world. Both nations continue to seek strategic advantages in critical sectors like AI, semiconductors, and green energy, while balancing economic competition with the necessity of trade. Moving forward, trade policies will likely focus on reducing dependencies, enforcing fair trade practices, and addressing national security concerns, shaping the future of global commerce.

The main goal of the Glostat project is to rely on primary sources to support the work presented (white papers, government data, original reporting, etc.). However, when relevant, I may also cite original research from other credible publishers.

United States Trade in Goods with China:
Origin

United States Census Bureau

Name Trade in Goods with China
CountryLanguage

English

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