GITNUXREPORT 2026

Us-China Trade Statistics

Despite recent tariffs, US-China trade remains massive but is now declining.

Written by Catherine Wu·Edited by Margot Villeneuve·Fact-checked by Astrid Bergmann

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified Feb 13, 2026·Next review: Aug 2026

How We Build This Report

Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Statistics that could not be independently verified are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are elsewhere.

Our process →

Statistic 1

In 2023, total U.S. goods trade with China amounted to $575 billion, marking a 4.8% decline from 2022 levels according to U.S. Census Bureau data

Statistic 2

Bilateral U.S.-China merchandise trade volume in 2022 reached $690.6 billion, up 2.9% year-over-year per U.S. Trade Representative reports

Statistic 3

From 2018 to 2023, cumulative U.S.-China trade totaled over $3.2 trillion despite tariffs, as tracked by the Peterson Institute for International Economics

Statistic 4

In Q4 2023, U.S.-China goods trade hit $142.3 billion, a 5.2% drop from Q4 2022 per Census Bureau quarterly data

Statistic 5

U.S.-China trade as a share of total U.S. trade fell to 11.6% in 2023 from 13.7% in 2018, World Bank WITS database analysis

Statistic 6

Annual U.S.-China services trade surplus for the U.S. was $42.2 billion in 2022, per Bureau of Economic Analysis

Statistic 7

Total U.S.-China trade including services estimated at $780 billion in 2023 by U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Statistic 8

From Jan-Nov 2023, U.S.-China goods trade was $521.9 billion, down 6.4% YoY, Census Bureau monthly stats

Statistic 9

U.S.-China trade volume peaked at $758.4 billion in 2021 amid pandemic demand surges, per UN Comtrade

Statistic 10

In 2020, U.S.-China trade contracted 7.1% to $559.1 billion due to COVID-19 and tariffs, WTO statistics

Statistic 11

Monthly average U.S.-China trade in 2023 was $47.9 billion, a post-2018 low per Census data

Statistic 12

U.S.-China trade represented 2.8% of global trade volume in 2022, IMF Direction of Trade Statistics

Statistic 13

Cumulative U.S.-China trade from 1985-2023 exceeds $15 trillion, historical Census Bureau records

Statistic 14

In H1 2023, U.S.-China trade totaled $277.6 billion, down 10.5% YoY, USTR quarterly review

Statistic 15

U.S.-China digital trade subset reached $50 billion annually by 2022, per USTR fact sheet

Statistic 16

2023 U.S.-China trade growth slowed to -4.9% vs. global trade +0.8%, per WTO trade barometer

Statistic 17

U.S. exports to China averaged $147 billion yearly from 2019-2023, Census Bureau annual averages

Statistic 18

China accounted for 16.4% of U.S. total trade in 2022, down from 18.1% in 2017, U.S. ITC data

Statistic 19

Bilateral trade intensity index between U.S. and China dropped to 1.2 in 2022 from 1.5 in 2017, UNCTAD stats

Statistic 20

U.S.-China trade via Hong Kong transshipment estimated at $20 billion in 2023, Customs and Border Protection

Statistic 21

In 2023, U.S.-China trade deficit in goods was $279.4 billion, comprising 40% of total U.S. deficit, Census Bureau

Statistic 22

In 2023, U.S. imported $152 billion in electrical machinery from China, key deficit driver at HS85 level

Statistic 23

Soybeans dominated U.S. exports to China at $15.2 billion in 2023, 10% of total exports, USDA FAS GATS

Statistic 24

Chinese solar panels comprised 80% of U.S. imports before 2022 tariffs, valued $18B annually, SEIA

Statistic 25

U.S. semiconductor exports to China 25% of total U.S. semis exports at $52B pre-restrictions in 2021, SIA

Statistic 26

Toys from China 83% of U.S. market share, $28B imports in 2022, Toy Association via Census

Statistic 27

Aircraft parts U.S. exports to China $4.5B in 2023, AIA data

Statistic 28

Chinese apparel imports share fell to 30% from 40% by 2023, $20B value, OTEXA

Statistic 29

U.S. LNG exports to China rebounded to $5.2B in 2023, 12% of total U.S. LNG exports, EIA

Statistic 30

Furniture imports from China 45% market share at $26B in 2023, AFMA stats

Statistic 31

Pharmaceuticals from China 13% of U.S. imports, $10B in 2023, FDA/CDER data

Statistic 32

Electric vehicles parts imports from China surged 50% to $3.8B in 2023, Census HS8708

Statistic 33

U.S. cotton exports to China 25% of total at $1.9B in 2023, USDA

Statistic 34

Lithium battery cells from China 70% U.S. supply, $15B imports 2023, DOE

Statistic 35

Steel products from China post-25% tariff averaged $500M monthly imports 2023, USITC

Statistic 36

Medical devices imports from China $22B in 2023, 15% growth, AdvaMed

Statistic 37

Crude oil from China negligible, but U.S. exports $13B, EIA bilateral

Statistic 38

Telecom equipment imports China $45B in 2022 pre-Huawei bans, Census HS8517

Statistic 39

Beef exports U.S. to China $2.5B in 2023, 20% market share, USMEF

Statistic 40

Apparel categories HS61 from China $10B in 2023, Census

Statistic 41

Section 301 tariffs on $300B Chinese goods collected $80B U.S. revenue by 2023, USTR

Statistic 42

Phase One trade deal 2020 committed China to $200B extra U.S. purchases, met 57% by 2021, PIIE tracker

Statistic 43

U.S. tariffs on China averaged 19.3% on covered imports by 2023, covering 66% of imports, IMF analysis

Statistic 44

Chinese retaliation tariffs on U.S. ag products cost $27B in lost exports 2018-2019, USDA ERS

Statistic 45

Entity List controls reduced U.S. high-tech exports to China by 15% or $10B annually since 2019, BIS

Statistic 46

CHIPS Act 2022 spurred $50B domestic semis investment, reducing China reliance from 30% to projected 10% by 2030, SIA

Statistic 47

Inflation Reduction Act EV tax credits excluded China-sourced batteries, cutting $4B potential imports 2023, DOE

Statistic 48

Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act blocked $2.8B Chinese imports by mid-2024, CBP enforcement

Statistic 49

Section 232 steel tariffs on China collected $1.5B annually, stabilizing U.S. prices +20%, Commerce

Statistic 50

De minimis exemption allowed $50B+ duty-free China e-commerce imports 2023, GAO report

Statistic 51

Export controls on AI chips to China cut NVIDIA sales $4.5B in Q4 2023 alone, company filings

Statistic 52

Phase One deal boosted U.S. ag exports $12B above baseline 2020-2021, USDA

Statistic 53

Tariffs added 1.4% to U.S. PPI for affected goods in 2019, Fed study

Statistic 54

China stimulus post-tariffs shifted 20% exports to EU/Vietnam, WTO

Statistic 55

U.S. firms relocated $100B supply chains from China 2019-2023 due to tariffs, Kearney index

Statistic 56

Small business tariff relief granted on $11B Chinese imports 2023, USTR

Statistic 57

Carbon border tariffs proposed impacted $5B China steel/aluminum exports, EU CBAM preview

Statistic 58

ITAR export licenses to China declined 40% post-2018 policies, State Dept DDTC

Statistic 59

SAFE Act proposed 100% tariffs on fentanyl precursors from China, est. block $1B trade, CBP

Statistic 60

U.S. trade deficit with China in goods reached $279.4 billion in 2023, largest bilateral deficit

Statistic 61

Cumulative U.S.-China goods trade deficit from 2001-2023 exceeded $6.1 trillion, EPI analysis of Census data

Statistic 62

In 2022, U.S. goods deficit with China was $382.9 billion, 48% of total U.S. goods deficit, Census Bureau

Statistic 63

Services surplus offset 11% of goods deficit with China in 2022 at $40 billion, BEA

Statistic 64

Monthly average U.S.-China goods deficit in 2023 was $23.3 billion, Census monthly exhibits

Statistic 65

U.S. trade deficit with China peaked at $418.2 billion in 2018 pre-tariffs, historical Census

Statistic 66

From 2019-2023, average annual U.S.-China deficit was $340 billion, USTR Section 301 review

Statistic 67

China deficit accounted for 37% of U.S. total goods deficit in 2023, down from 47% in 2018, PIIE charts

Statistic 68

Bilateral deficit grew 5x from $83 billion in 2000 to $419B in 2018, CRS report

Statistic 69

Q4 2023 U.S.-China goods deficit was $68.1 billion, 3.2% lower YoY, Census quarterly

Statistic 70

Manufacturing goods deficit with China was $245 billion in 2023, 88% of total deficit, USITC

Statistic 71

Consumer goods deficit hit $210 billion with China in 2022, Census end-use categories

Statistic 72

Capital goods trade deficit with China reached $95.4 billion in 2023, BEA adjusted

Statistic 73

Automotive deficit with China was $28.7 billion in 2023, Census HS87 data

Statistic 74

Food/feed deficit minimal at $2.1 billion surplus actually in 2023 with China, USDA balance sheet

Statistic 75

Industrial supplies deficit with China $120 billion in 2023, Census

Statistic 76

U.S.-China tariffs under Section 301 covered $380 billion in Chinese exports by 2023, generating $89B revenue, CBO estimate

Statistic 77

Electronics trade deficit with China was $162 billion in 2023, dominating category, SIA/Census

Statistic 78

Apparel and textiles deficit $35 billion with China in 2023, AAFA analysis

Statistic 79

U.S. goods exports to China in 2023 totaled $147.8 billion, down 20% from 2022 peak of $184.8B

Statistic 80

U.S. agricultural exports to China reached $34.8 billion in 2023, led by soybeans at $15.2B, USDA FAS data

Statistic 81

In 2022, U.S. semiconductor exports to China were $11.9 billion, down 13% due to restrictions, SIA report via Census

Statistic 82

U.S. aircraft exports to China fell to $3.2 billion in 2023 from $13.6B in 2018, Boeing and Census data

Statistic 83

From Jan 2023-Nov 2023, U.S. exports to China were $134.1 billion, soybeans leading at $13.9B, USDA GATS

Statistic 84

U.S. crude oil exports to China averaged 1.2 million bpd in 2023, valued at $12.5 billion annually, EIA stats

Statistic 85

In Q1 2024, U.S. LNG exports to China surged 45% to $2.1 billion, reversing prior declines, Reuters via Census preliminary

Statistic 86

U.S. services exports to China hit $42 billion in 2022, with travel and IP leading, BEA data

Statistic 87

Cotton exports from U.S. to China were 1.1 million metric tons worth $1.8 billion in 2023, USDA

Statistic 88

U.S. beef exports to China grew 15% to $2.3 billion in 2023 post-phase one deal, USMEF stats

Statistic 89

Medical equipment exports from U.S. to China reached $7.4 billion in 2022, AdvaMed via USTR

Statistic 90

Pork exports to China totaled $1.6 billion in 2023, up 12% YoY, National Pork Board data

Statistic 91

U.S. auto exports to China were $9.8 billion in 2022, dominated by vehicles and parts, Census HS87

Statistic 92

Integrated circuits exports dropped 25% to $8.5 billion in 2023 amid BIS controls, Census Bureau

Statistic 93

Corn exports to China hit $1.4 billion in 2023, second-largest market after Mexico, USDA

Statistic 94

Pharmaceuticals exports from U.S. to China were $6.2 billion in 2022, PhRMA data

Statistic 95

Seafood exports to China grew to $1.1 billion in 2023, led by salmon and lobster, NOAA Fisheries

Statistic 96

Machinery exports excluding electrical totaled $12.3 billion to China in 2023, Census

Statistic 97

U.S. goods imports from China in 2023 were $427.2 billion, down 19.2% from 2022's $536B peak

Statistic 98

Electrical machinery imports from China to U.S. reached $152.8 billion in 2023, 36% of total imports, Census HS85

Statistic 99

Toys, games, and sporting goods imports from China totaled $32.4 billion in 2023, 79% of U.S. total, Census Bureau

Statistic 100

Furniture and bedding imports from China were $25.6 billion in 2023, down 15% YoY, ITC data

Statistic 101

Apparel imports from China fell to $18.9 billion in 2023 from $25B in 2021, shifting to Vietnam, Census HS61-62

Statistic 102

Phone imports (HS8517) from China were $88.2 billion in 2023, 78% of U.S. market, Commerce Dept

Statistic 103

Computers and servers imports from China hit $45.3 billion in 2022, BEA adjusted

Statistic 104

Plastic products imports from China totaled $28.7 billion in 2023, Census end-use

Statistic 105

Footwear imports from China were $17.2 billion in 2023, 40% of U.S. total down from 60%, AAFA data

Statistic 106

Lithium-ion batteries imports from China surged 35% to $12.4 billion in 2023, DOE stats

Statistic 107

Solar panel imports from China/SEA reached $11.8 billion in 2023 despite tariffs, SEIA report

Statistic 108

Household appliances imports from China were $22.1 billion in 2022, AHAM data

Statistic 109

Textiles imports excluding apparel totaled $14.5 billion from China in 2023, Census

Statistic 110

Machinery imports from China excluding electrical were $67.4 billion in 2023, 25% of category total

Statistic 111

Pharmaceuticals imports from China grew to $9.6 billion in 2023, up 8% YoY, PhRMA

Statistic 112

Steel mill products imports from China were $1.2 billion in 2023 post-tariffs, USITC

Statistic 113

Aluminum imports from China totaled $4.3 billion in 2023, Commerce enforcement data

Statistic 114

Optical/medical instruments imports from China hit $21.7 billion in 2022, Census HS90

1/114

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

Despite shifting supply chains and billions in tariffs, over three trillion dollars in goods have still flowed between the U.S. and China since 2018, proving just how deep this economic interdependence runs.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, total U.S. goods trade with China amounted to $575 billion, marking a 4.8% decline from 2022 levels according to U.S. Census Bureau data
Bilateral U.S.-China merchandise trade volume in 2022 reached $690.6 billion, up 2.9% year-over-year per U.S. Trade Representative reports
From 2018 to 2023, cumulative U.S.-China trade totaled over $3.2 trillion despite tariffs, as tracked by the Peterson Institute for International Economics
U.S. goods exports to China in 2023 totaled $147.8 billion, down 20% from 2022 peak of $184.8B
U.S. agricultural exports to China reached $34.8 billion in 2023, led by soybeans at $15.2B, USDA FAS data
In 2022, U.S. semiconductor exports to China were $11.9 billion, down 13% due to restrictions, SIA report via Census
U.S. goods imports from China in 2023 were $427.2 billion, down 19.2% from 2022's $536B peak
Electrical machinery imports from China to U.S. reached $152.8 billion in 2023, 36% of total imports, Census HS85
Toys, games, and sporting goods imports from China totaled $32.4 billion in 2023, 79% of U.S. total, Census Bureau
U.S. trade deficit with China in goods reached $279.4 billion in 2023, largest bilateral deficit
Cumulative U.S.-China goods trade deficit from 2001-2023 exceeded $6.1 trillion, EPI analysis of Census data
In 2022, U.S. goods deficit with China was $382.9 billion, 48% of total U.S. goods deficit, Census Bureau
In 2023, U.S. imported $152 billion in electrical machinery from China, key deficit driver at HS85 level
Soybeans dominated U.S. exports to China at $15.2 billion in 2023, 10% of total exports, USDA FAS GATS
Chinese solar panels comprised 80% of U.S. imports before 2022 tariffs, valued $18B annually, SEIA

Despite recent tariffs, US-China trade remains massive but is now declining.

Overall Trade Volume

1In 2023, total U.S. goods trade with China amounted to $575 billion, marking a 4.8% decline from 2022 levels according to U.S. Census Bureau data

Verified

2Bilateral U.S.-China merchandise trade volume in 2022 reached $690.6 billion, up 2.9% year-over-year per U.S. Trade Representative reports

Verified

3From 2018 to 2023, cumulative U.S.-China trade totaled over $3.2 trillion despite tariffs, as tracked by the Peterson Institute for International Economics

Verified

4In Q4 2023, U.S.-China goods trade hit $142.3 billion, a 5.2% drop from Q4 2022 per Census Bureau quarterly data

Directional

5U.S.-China trade as a share of total U.S. trade fell to 11.6% in 2023 from 13.7% in 2018, World Bank WITS database analysis

Single source

6Annual U.S.-China services trade surplus for the U.S. was $42.2 billion in 2022, per Bureau of Economic Analysis

Verified

7Total U.S.-China trade including services estimated at $780 billion in 2023 by U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Verified

8From Jan-Nov 2023, U.S.-China goods trade was $521.9 billion, down 6.4% YoY, Census Bureau monthly stats

Verified

9U.S.-China trade volume peaked at $758.4 billion in 2021 amid pandemic demand surges, per UN Comtrade

Directional

10In 2020, U.S.-China trade contracted 7.1% to $559.1 billion due to COVID-19 and tariffs, WTO statistics

Single source

11Monthly average U.S.-China trade in 2023 was $47.9 billion, a post-2018 low per Census data

Verified

12U.S.-China trade represented 2.8% of global trade volume in 2022, IMF Direction of Trade Statistics

Verified

13Cumulative U.S.-China trade from 1985-2023 exceeds $15 trillion, historical Census Bureau records

Verified

14In H1 2023, U.S.-China trade totaled $277.6 billion, down 10.5% YoY, USTR quarterly review

Directional

15U.S.-China digital trade subset reached $50 billion annually by 2022, per USTR fact sheet

Single source

162023 U.S.-China trade growth slowed to -4.9% vs. global trade +0.8%, per WTO trade barometer

Verified

17U.S. exports to China averaged $147 billion yearly from 2019-2023, Census Bureau annual averages

Verified

18China accounted for 16.4% of U.S. total trade in 2022, down from 18.1% in 2017, U.S. ITC data

Verified

19Bilateral trade intensity index between U.S. and China dropped to 1.2 in 2022 from 1.5 in 2017, UNCTAD stats

Directional

20U.S.-China trade via Hong Kong transshipment estimated at $20 billion in 2023, Customs and Border Protection

Single source

21In 2023, U.S.-China trade deficit in goods was $279.4 billion, comprising 40% of total U.S. deficit, Census Bureau

Verified

Overall Trade Volume Interpretation

Amidst the political theatrics, the sheer arithmetic of over three trillion dollars traded in five years whispers a blunt truth: for all the noise, these two economies remain grudgingly, profoundly, and expensively married.

Sector-Specific Trade

1In 2023, U.S. imported $152 billion in electrical machinery from China, key deficit driver at HS85 level

Verified

2Soybeans dominated U.S. exports to China at $15.2 billion in 2023, 10% of total exports, USDA FAS GATS

Verified

3Chinese solar panels comprised 80% of U.S. imports before 2022 tariffs, valued $18B annually, SEIA

Verified

4U.S. semiconductor exports to China 25% of total U.S. semis exports at $52B pre-restrictions in 2021, SIA

Directional

5Toys from China 83% of U.S. market share, $28B imports in 2022, Toy Association via Census

Single source

6Aircraft parts U.S. exports to China $4.5B in 2023, AIA data

Verified

7Chinese apparel imports share fell to 30% from 40% by 2023, $20B value, OTEXA

Verified

8U.S. LNG exports to China rebounded to $5.2B in 2023, 12% of total U.S. LNG exports, EIA

Verified

9Furniture imports from China 45% market share at $26B in 2023, AFMA stats

Directional

10Pharmaceuticals from China 13% of U.S. imports, $10B in 2023, FDA/CDER data

Single source

11Electric vehicles parts imports from China surged 50% to $3.8B in 2023, Census HS8708

Verified

12U.S. cotton exports to China 25% of total at $1.9B in 2023, USDA

Verified

13Lithium battery cells from China 70% U.S. supply, $15B imports 2023, DOE

Verified

14Steel products from China post-25% tariff averaged $500M monthly imports 2023, USITC

Directional

15Medical devices imports from China $22B in 2023, 15% growth, AdvaMed

Single source

16Crude oil from China negligible, but U.S. exports $13B, EIA bilateral

Verified

17Telecom equipment imports China $45B in 2022 pre-Huawei bans, Census HS8517

Verified

18Beef exports U.S. to China $2.5B in 2023, 20% market share, USMEF

Verified

19Apparel categories HS61 from China $10B in 2023, Census

Directional

Sector-Specific Trade Interpretation

America has turned China into its default factory floor and parts department, while China relies on America for soybeans, semiconductors, and money, proving they are simultaneously each other's biggest customer and most strategic rival.

Tariffs, Policies, Impacts

1Section 301 tariffs on $300B Chinese goods collected $80B U.S. revenue by 2023, USTR

Verified

2Phase One trade deal 2020 committed China to $200B extra U.S. purchases, met 57% by 2021, PIIE tracker

Verified

3U.S. tariffs on China averaged 19.3% on covered imports by 2023, covering 66% of imports, IMF analysis

Verified

4Chinese retaliation tariffs on U.S. ag products cost $27B in lost exports 2018-2019, USDA ERS

Directional

5Entity List controls reduced U.S. high-tech exports to China by 15% or $10B annually since 2019, BIS

Single source

6CHIPS Act 2022 spurred $50B domestic semis investment, reducing China reliance from 30% to projected 10% by 2030, SIA

Verified

7Inflation Reduction Act EV tax credits excluded China-sourced batteries, cutting $4B potential imports 2023, DOE

Verified

8Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act blocked $2.8B Chinese imports by mid-2024, CBP enforcement

Verified

9Section 232 steel tariffs on China collected $1.5B annually, stabilizing U.S. prices +20%, Commerce

Directional

10De minimis exemption allowed $50B+ duty-free China e-commerce imports 2023, GAO report

Single source

11Export controls on AI chips to China cut NVIDIA sales $4.5B in Q4 2023 alone, company filings

Verified

12Phase One deal boosted U.S. ag exports $12B above baseline 2020-2021, USDA

Verified

13Tariffs added 1.4% to U.S. PPI for affected goods in 2019, Fed study

Verified

14China stimulus post-tariffs shifted 20% exports to EU/Vietnam, WTO

Directional

15U.S. firms relocated $100B supply chains from China 2019-2023 due to tariffs, Kearney index

Single source

16Small business tariff relief granted on $11B Chinese imports 2023, USTR

Verified

17Carbon border tariffs proposed impacted $5B China steel/aluminum exports, EU CBAM preview

Verified

18ITAR export licenses to China declined 40% post-2018 policies, State Dept DDTC

Verified

19SAFE Act proposed 100% tariffs on fentanyl precursors from China, est. block $1B trade, CBP

Directional

Tariffs, Policies, Impacts Interpretation

American tariffs rained money down upon the Treasury while making China pay in both coin and market share, yet the economic boxing match left both nations bruised, reshuffled global supply chains like a frantic game of chess, and proved that decoupling is a wildly expensive and deeply messy divorce.

Trade Deficit

1U.S. trade deficit with China in goods reached $279.4 billion in 2023, largest bilateral deficit

Verified

2Cumulative U.S.-China goods trade deficit from 2001-2023 exceeded $6.1 trillion, EPI analysis of Census data

Verified

3In 2022, U.S. goods deficit with China was $382.9 billion, 48% of total U.S. goods deficit, Census Bureau

Verified

4Services surplus offset 11% of goods deficit with China in 2022 at $40 billion, BEA

Directional

5Monthly average U.S.-China goods deficit in 2023 was $23.3 billion, Census monthly exhibits

Single source

6U.S. trade deficit with China peaked at $418.2 billion in 2018 pre-tariffs, historical Census

Verified

7From 2019-2023, average annual U.S.-China deficit was $340 billion, USTR Section 301 review

Verified

8China deficit accounted for 37% of U.S. total goods deficit in 2023, down from 47% in 2018, PIIE charts

Verified

9Bilateral deficit grew 5x from $83 billion in 2000 to $419B in 2018, CRS report

Directional

10Q4 2023 U.S.-China goods deficit was $68.1 billion, 3.2% lower YoY, Census quarterly

Single source

11Manufacturing goods deficit with China was $245 billion in 2023, 88% of total deficit, USITC

Verified

12Consumer goods deficit hit $210 billion with China in 2022, Census end-use categories

Verified

13Capital goods trade deficit with China reached $95.4 billion in 2023, BEA adjusted

Verified

14Automotive deficit with China was $28.7 billion in 2023, Census HS87 data

Directional

15Food/feed deficit minimal at $2.1 billion surplus actually in 2023 with China, USDA balance sheet

Single source

16Industrial supplies deficit with China $120 billion in 2023, Census

Verified

17U.S.-China tariffs under Section 301 covered $380 billion in Chinese exports by 2023, generating $89B revenue, CBO estimate

Verified

18Electronics trade deficit with China was $162 billion in 2023, dominating category, SIA/Census

Verified

19Apparel and textiles deficit $35 billion with China in 2023, AAFA analysis

Directional

Trade Deficit Interpretation

Despite persistent political angst over this monumental, multi-trillion dollar relationship, the stubborn fact remains that America's shopping cart for Chinese goods, from gadgets to garments, is still overwhelmingly full—proving that while tariffs can generate revenue, they haven't yet cured the nation's appetite for a bargain.

US Exports to China

1U.S. goods exports to China in 2023 totaled $147.8 billion, down 20% from 2022 peak of $184.8B

Verified

2U.S. agricultural exports to China reached $34.8 billion in 2023, led by soybeans at $15.2B, USDA FAS data

Verified

3In 2022, U.S. semiconductor exports to China were $11.9 billion, down 13% due to restrictions, SIA report via Census

Verified

4U.S. aircraft exports to China fell to $3.2 billion in 2023 from $13.6B in 2018, Boeing and Census data

Directional

5From Jan 2023-Nov 2023, U.S. exports to China were $134.1 billion, soybeans leading at $13.9B, USDA GATS

Single source

6U.S. crude oil exports to China averaged 1.2 million bpd in 2023, valued at $12.5 billion annually, EIA stats

Verified

7In Q1 2024, U.S. LNG exports to China surged 45% to $2.1 billion, reversing prior declines, Reuters via Census preliminary

Verified

8U.S. services exports to China hit $42 billion in 2022, with travel and IP leading, BEA data

Verified

9Cotton exports from U.S. to China were 1.1 million metric tons worth $1.8 billion in 2023, USDA

Directional

10U.S. beef exports to China grew 15% to $2.3 billion in 2023 post-phase one deal, USMEF stats

Single source

11Medical equipment exports from U.S. to China reached $7.4 billion in 2022, AdvaMed via USTR

Verified

12Pork exports to China totaled $1.6 billion in 2023, up 12% YoY, National Pork Board data

Verified

13U.S. auto exports to China were $9.8 billion in 2022, dominated by vehicles and parts, Census HS87

Verified

14Integrated circuits exports dropped 25% to $8.5 billion in 2023 amid BIS controls, Census Bureau

Directional

15Corn exports to China hit $1.4 billion in 2023, second-largest market after Mexico, USDA

Single source

16Pharmaceuticals exports from U.S. to China were $6.2 billion in 2022, PhRMA data

Verified

17Seafood exports to China grew to $1.1 billion in 2023, led by salmon and lobster, NOAA Fisheries

Verified

18Machinery exports excluding electrical totaled $12.3 billion to China in 2023, Census

Verified

US Exports to China Interpretation

While America's high-tech and aviation exports are being clipped by geopolitics, the U.S. is increasingly settling into a role as China's reliable supplier of soybeans, oil, gas, and pork, proving that even in a strained relationship, the fundamental business of food and fuel finds a way.

US Imports from China

1U.S. goods imports from China in 2023 were $427.2 billion, down 19.2% from 2022's $536B peak

Verified

2Electrical machinery imports from China to U.S. reached $152.8 billion in 2023, 36% of total imports, Census HS85

Verified

3Toys, games, and sporting goods imports from China totaled $32.4 billion in 2023, 79% of U.S. total, Census Bureau

Verified

4Furniture and bedding imports from China were $25.6 billion in 2023, down 15% YoY, ITC data

Directional

5Apparel imports from China fell to $18.9 billion in 2023 from $25B in 2021, shifting to Vietnam, Census HS61-62

Single source

6Phone imports (HS8517) from China were $88.2 billion in 2023, 78% of U.S. market, Commerce Dept

Verified

7Computers and servers imports from China hit $45.3 billion in 2022, BEA adjusted

Verified

8Plastic products imports from China totaled $28.7 billion in 2023, Census end-use

Verified

9Footwear imports from China were $17.2 billion in 2023, 40% of U.S. total down from 60%, AAFA data

Directional

10Lithium-ion batteries imports from China surged 35% to $12.4 billion in 2023, DOE stats

Single source

11Solar panel imports from China/SEA reached $11.8 billion in 2023 despite tariffs, SEIA report

Verified

12Household appliances imports from China were $22.1 billion in 2022, AHAM data

Verified

13Textiles imports excluding apparel totaled $14.5 billion from China in 2023, Census

Verified

14Machinery imports from China excluding electrical were $67.4 billion in 2023, 25% of category total

Directional

15Pharmaceuticals imports from China grew to $9.6 billion in 2023, up 8% YoY, PhRMA

Single source

16Steel mill products imports from China were $1.2 billion in 2023 post-tariffs, USITC

Verified

17Aluminum imports from China totaled $4.3 billion in 2023, Commerce enforcement data

Verified

18Optical/medical instruments imports from China hit $21.7 billion in 2022, Census HS90

Verified

US Imports from China Interpretation

The figures show that while America is trying to untangle its supply chain from China, it remains deeply plugged into the Chinese socket for everything from iPhones to toys, even as it increasingly buys its t-shirts from Vietnam and its steel from almost anywhere else.