Australia

Australia and the United States are partners in the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. In this negotiation, the United States is seeking to develop a high-standard, 21st-century regional trade agreement that will support the creation and retention of jobs in the United States and promote economic growth. In addition to the United States and Australia, the TPP negotiating partners include Brunei Darussalem, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, and Singapore, and Vietnam. Starting with a group of like-minded countries, the goal is to expand the agreement to include countries across the Asia Pacific, which together represent more than half of global output and over 40 percent of world trade.

For further information about TPP, click here.

U.S.-Australia FTA

The United States-Australia FTA entered into force on January 1, 2005. Since then, the U.S. and Australian governments have met annually to review the results of the agreement and address implementation issues. During the last FTA review, held in October 2009, the two sides noted the generally smooth functioning of the agreement and discussed specific issues relating to agriculture, intellectual property rights, investment, labor and environment issues.

U.S.-Australia Trade Facts

U.S. goods and services trade with Australia totaled $59 billion in 2011. Exports totaled $43 billion; Imports totaled $16 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade surplus with Australia was $27 billion in 2011.

Australia is currently our 24th largest goods trading partner with $37.8 billion in total (two ways) goods trade during 2011. Goods exports totaled $27.5 billion; Goods imports totaled $10.2 billion. The U.S. goods trade surplus with Australia was $17.3 billion in 2011.

Trade in services with Australia (exports and imports) totaled $21.7 billion in 2011 (preliminary data). Services exports were $15.7 billion; Services imports were $6.1 billion. The U.S. services trade surplus with Australia was $9.6 billion in 2011.

Exports

Australia was the United States' 14th largest goods export market in 2011.

U.S. goods exports to Australia in 2011 were $27.5 billion, up 26.2% ($5.7 billion) from 2010, and up 121% from 2000. U.S. exports to Australia are up 97% from 2004 (Pre-FTA). U.S. exports to Australia accounted for 1.9% of overall U.S. exports in 2011.

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2011 were: Machinery ($6.2 billion), Vehicles ($4.0 billion), Optic and Medical Instruments ($2.2 billion), Electrical Machinery ($2.2 billion), and Aircraft ($2.0 billion).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to Australia totaled $1.2 billion in 2011. Leading categories include: red meats, fresh/chilled/frozen ($188 million), processed fruit and vegetables ($154 million), fresh fruit ($100 million), and pet food ($89 million).

U.S. exports of private commercial services* (i.e., excluding military and government) to Australia were $15.7 billion in 2011 (preliminary data), 19% ($2.5 billion) greater than 2010 and 183% greater than 2000 levels. It was 126% higher than 2004 (Pre-FTA). Other private services (business, professional, and technical services and financial services), travel, and royalties and license fees categories accounted for most of the U.S. services exports to Australia.

Imports

Australia was the United States' 33rd largest supplier of goods imports in 2011.

U.S. goods imports from Australia totaled $10.2 billion in 2011, a 19.3% increase ($1.7 billion) from 2010, and up 59% from 2000. U.S. imports from Australia are up 36% from 2004 (Pre-FTA).

The five largest import categories in 2011 were: Precious Stones/metals ($1.3 billion), Meat (beef, sheep) ($1.2 billion), Optic and Medical Instruments ($804 million), Special Other (returns) ($611 million), and Ores, Slag, Ash ($610 million).

U.S. imports of agricultural products from Australia totaled $2.4 billion in 2011, the 12th largest supplier of Ag imports. Leading categories include: red meats, fresh/chilled/ frozen ($1.2 billion), and wine and beer ($554 million).

U.S. imports of private commercial services* (i.e., excluding military and government) were $6.1 billion in 2011 (preliminary data), up 9% ($476 million) from 2010, and up 78% from 2000 level. It was 56% higher than 2004 (Pre-FTA). The other private services (business, professional and technical services) and travel categories accounted for most of U.S. services imports from Australia.

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade surplus with Australia was $17.3 billion in 2011, up 30.7% ($4.1 billion) from 2010.

The United States has a services trade surplus of $9.6 billion with Australia in 2011 (preliminary data), up 27% from 2010.

Historical Trade Data   Note:  FTA entry into force January 1, 2005.
U.S. Goods Trade with Australia (in billions of dollars)

U.S. Services Trade with Australia (in billions of dollars) 1990, 1994, 2000, 2006-2011

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Australia (stock) was $134.0 billion in 2010 (latest data available), up 22.0% from 2009.

U.S. direct investment in Australia is led by the finance and insurance, nonbank holding companies and mining sectors.

Australia FDI in the United States (stock) was $49.5 billion in 2010 (latest data available), up 20.0% from 2009.

Australia direct investment in the U.S. was led by manufacturing, and the real estate, rental, and leasing sectors.

Sales of services in Australia by majority U.S.-owned affiliates were $38.3 billion in

2009 (latest data available), while sales of services in the United States by majority Australia-owned firms were $12.6 billion

*NOTE: Refers to private services trade not including U.S. military sales, direct defense expenditures, and other miscellaneous U.S. government services.