China

USTR's Office of China Affairs is responsible for managing the formulation and implementation of U.S. trade policy for China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Mongolia, with the goal of increasing access for U.S. products and services in these markets and ensuring that the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other commitments are enforced.

It also includes working closely with USTR's Office of the General Counsel to identify areas where China is not fully honoring its WTO commitments, and developing and implementing strategies to enforce them.

U.S.-China Trade Facts

U.S. goods and services trade with China totaled $539 billion in 2011. Exports totaled $129 billion; Imports totaled $411 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade deficit with China was $282 billion in 2011.

China is currently our 2nd largest goods trading partner with $503 billion in total (two ways) goods trade during 2011. Goods exports totaled $104 billion; Goods imports totaled $399 billion. The U.S. goods trade deficit with China was $295 billion in 2011.

Trade in services with China (exports and imports) totaled $36 billion in 2011 (preliminary data). Services exports were $25 billion; Services imports were $11 billion. The U.S. services trade surplus with China was $13 billion in 2011.

Exports

China was the United States= 3rd largest goods export market in 2011.

U.S. goods exports to China in 2011 were $103.9 billion, up 13.1% ($12.0 billion) from 2010, and up 539% from 2000. It is up 442% since 2001 (when China entered the WTO). U.S. exports to China accounted for 7.0% of overall U.S. exports in 2011.

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2011 were: Machinery ($12.2 billion), Miscellaneous Grain, Seed, Fruit (soybeans) ($10.7 billion), Electrical Machinery ($10.1 billion), Vehicles ($6.8 billion), and Aircraft ($6.4 billion).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to China totaled $18.9 billion in 2011, the 2nd largest U.S. Ag export market. Leading categories include: soybeans ($10.5 billion), cotton ($2.6 billion), hides and skins ($1.2 billion), and coarse grains ($843 million).

U.S. exports of private commercial services* (i.e., excluding military and government) to China were $24.7 billion in 2011, (preliminary data), 17% ($3.6 billion) more than 2010 and 393% greater than 2000. It is up 357% since 2001. Other private services (business, professional and technical services and education services), travel, and the royalties and license fees categories accounted for most of U.S. services exports to China.

Imports

China was the United States= largest supplier of goods imports in 2011.

U.S. goods imports from China totaled $399.3 billion in 2011, a 9.4 % increase ($34.4 billion) from 2010, and up 299% since 2000. It is up 290% since 2001. U.S. imports from China accounted for 18.1% of overall U.S. imports in 2010.

The five largest import categories in 2011 were: Electrical Machinery ($98.7 billion), Machinery ($94.9 billion), Toys and Sports Equipment ($22.6 billion), Furniture and Bedding ($20.5 billion), and Footwear ($16.7 billion).

U.S. imports of agricultural products from China totaled $4.0 billion in 2011, the 5th largest supplier of Ag imports. Leading categories include: processed fruit and vegetables ($949 million), fruit and vegetable juices ($559 million), snack foods (including chocolate) ($203 million), and spices ($123 million).

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade deficit with China was $295.5 billion in 2011, an 8.2% increase ($22.4 billion) over 2010. The U.S. goods trade deficit with China accounted for 41% of the overall U.S. goods trade deficit in 2011.

The United States has a services trade surplus of $13.4 billion with China in 2011 (preliminary data), up 20% from 2010.

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in China (stock) was $60.5 billion in 2010 (latest data available), a 21.4% increase from 2009.

U.S. direct investment in China is led by the manufacturing and banking sectors.

China FDI in the United States (stock) was $3.2 billion in 2010 (latest data available), up 171.6% from 2009.

China direct investment in the U.S. is led by the wholesale trade sector.

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