Every year, countries around the world import billions of dollars worth of goods and products from the US. The United States exports trillions of dollars worth of manufactured goods, services, natural resources and many, many other products to other countries.

As the world’s 2nd largest export economy, the United States is constantly working to export goods and services, including:

  • Refined Petroleum
  • Cars
  • Planes, Helicopters, and/or Spacecraft
  • Vehicles and Vehicular Parts
  • Pharmaceuticals

​Year after year, 5 particular countries top the list for the highest amount of US goods and services that are shipped over to them.

Top 5 Countries That Import US Goods

The following is a list of the top 5 countries importing U.S. products and services on an annual basis. According to the most recent data available from the U.S. Census Bureau and other U.S. government sources, the following countries make the largest amount of purchases. Considering the geography, no one should be shocked that Canada is the number one importer of U.S. goods. However, the vast array of the types of products being shipped to these countries does surprise many of those not familiar with US foreign trade trends.

1. Canada

Even with the global automotive industry in decline, the top U.S. product imported by Canada is usually automotive-related, including accessories and parts.

Machinery and electronic equipment usually come next, while oil and plastics, medical and technical equipment and air crafts follow after. In 2015, Canada imported $280 billion dollars worth of US goods. That amount is equivalent to 18.6% of the United States’ overall exports.

2. Mexico

With all the media attention U.S. trade with China receives, it may come as a surprise that Mexico still imports more U.S. goods and services than the far more populous country of China.

In 2015, Mexico imported $236.4 billion worth of US goods, the most being in machinery, electronic equipment, and like Canada, automotive-related goods.

3. China

China comes a distant third in importing of US goods compared to Canada and Mexico. China’s number one import is usually air crafts and computer accessories, parts, and peripherals. Part of this is related to the computer assembly industry, but also includes sales to Chinese retailers and end-users. In 2015, the import of US products amounted to $116.2 billion or 7.7% of the United States’ overall exports.

4. Japan

Typically, the primary import of American goods to Japan is civilian aircraft(s). However, medical and technical equipment also equal to about the same amount in the types of products exported to Japan from the US. Machinery and electronic equipment follow suit, with $62.5 billion or 4.2% of the US’ overall exports in 2015.

5. United Kingdom

With the U.S. travel market facing tough times, the aviation industry turned to the international market.

Like Japan, the U.K.’s primary import from “across the pond” was civilian aircraft. Following this were chemicals and primary resources (such as metal for manufacturing), then electronic equipment and then pharmaceuticals. In 2015, America’s exports to the UK amounted to $56.4 billion or 3.8% of the United States’ overall exports.