In 2024, the United States and China traded a staggering $658.9 billion in goods and services, which is a 2.6% increase from the previous year.
However, behind that headline figure lies a persistent challenge: a $295.5 billion goods trade deficit that continues to shape political debates, business strategies, and consumer choices across the country.
Understanding US imports and exports with China isn’t just for economists.
It affects how much Americans pay for electronics, what farmers can sell overseas, and how universities plan for international enrollment.
As someone who’s spent years analyzing trade flows and advising businesses on global strategies, I’ve seen how these numbers translate into real-world consequences.
This article breaks down the key components of China American trade relations and answers common questions like “What does the US trade with China?” and “What percentage of imports come from China?”
You’ll learn how much the US imports from China, what it exports in return, and how the evolving trade relationship impacts American jobs, businesses, and policy decisions.
We’ll also cover:
- The total trade value between the US and China, and why the trade deficit matters.
- US imports from China, including electronics, machinery, and consumer goods.
- The main categories of United States exports to China, such as semiconductors, aerospace, and services.
- How tariffs and trade barriers have reshaped the United States trade relationship with China.
- The broader economic and employment impacts, including sectors affected and long-term trends.
The Scale of US-China Trade
Total Trade Value and Growth
In 2024, total trade between the United States and China reached $658.9 billion, including both goods and services.
This represents a 2.6% increase compared to 2023, showing that the bilateral trade relationship is still expanding despite past disruptions.
Of that total, goods trade accounted for the bulk of activity. The US imported $438.7 billion in goods from China and exported $143.2 billion.
Services trade was smaller but still significant, with $55.0 billion exported to China and $21.9 billion imported.
The Trade Deficit
The trade deficit between the US and China in goods reached $295.5 billion in 2024, up 5.7% from the previous year.
This persistent imbalance continues to raise concerns among policymakers and industry leaders about domestic manufacturing capacity and foreign dependency.
Services Trade Surplus
On the services side, the US maintains a $33.2 billion surplus. Education, travel, and business services are the top contributors.
This surplus grew 16.7% in 2024, reflecting a rebound in international student enrollment and tourism, even though both have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.
What the US Imports From China
Electronics and Machinery
When examining American imports from China, electronics and machinery dominate. In 2024, the US imported:
- Electrical and electronic equipment: $127.06 billion
- Machinery (including nuclear reactors and boilers): $85.13 billion
These categories include everything from smartphones and laptops to industrial components, making them critical to both consumer markets and manufacturing supply chains in the US.
Consumer Goods: Toys and Plastics
China remains a key supplier of consumer goods to the US. In 2024, imports included:
- Toys, games, and sports equipment: $32.04 billion
- Plastics and plastic articles: $21.53 billion
These goods are staples in American retail, especially during holiday seasons. The scale of these imports reflects long-standing production advantages in China such as labor cost efficiency and mature supply chains.
What Percentage of Imports Come From China?
In 2024, China accounted for approximately 13.3% of total US goods imports. While this share has declined from previous years due to diversification efforts, China remains the largest single-country source of American imports.
What the US Exports to China
Aerospace and Semiconductors
United States exports to China include high-value, strategic products. In 2024, aerospace and semiconductor components saw growth despite ongoing tariffs.
These sectors are critical to national security and innovation, and China remains a key market for American manufacturers.
Agriculture and Energy
Exports of agricultural products such as oilseeds and grains, as well as energy commodities such as crude oil and liquefied natural gas, declined in 2024.
This was due to shifting Chinese demand and ongoing retaliatory tariffs that made American goods less competitive in the Chinese market.
Services: Education and Travel
The US exported $55 billion in services to China in 2024. A large portion of this came from international students and Chinese tourism. Although Chinese traveler spending rose by over 270%, it still lags behind pre-COVID levels.
Trade Barriers and Tariffs
US Tariffs on Chinese Goods
Since 2018, tariffs have reshaped the United States trade relationship with China. In 2024, the US imposed tariffs as high as 145% on certain Chinese goods. Key categories such as steel, aluminum, and automobiles face a 25% duty.
China’s Retaliatory Tariffs
China responded with its own tariff structure, applying a baseline 125% duty on all US goods, with additional sector-specific tariffs ranging from 10% to 15%. These measures have made it more difficult for US exporters to remain competitive in the Chinese market.
Impact on US Businesses
As an expert in global trading, I’ve worked with several US exporters who’ve had to reconfigure their business strategies due to these tariffs.
The impact has been particularly harsh in the Midwest and South, where agricultural and manufacturing exports to China have dropped significantly.
Economic and Political Factors
China’s Economic Strategy
As explained by Cathay Bank, China continues to invest in manufacturing and infrastructure, even as it faces challenges such as weak domestic demand and a sluggish real estate market. This industrial focus allows China to maintain strong export performance, including to the US.
US Policy Shifts
Since the Trump administration, US trade policy toward China has remained restrictive. While some de-escalation has occurred, uncertainty persists heading into 2025. Businesses remain cautious in their planning due to potential policy shifts.
Volatility in Trade Relations
Political tensions and shifting policies have created a volatile environment. Supply chains have been disrupted, and companies are increasingly seeking alternative partners to reduce dependency on China.
The Trade Balance Over Time
Monthly and Annual Trends
In the first half of 2025, the US recorded a $128.6 billion goods trade deficit with China. In September alone, China posted a $90.45 billion trade surplus, underlining the ongoing imbalance in trade flows.
Historical Perspective
China’s trade surplus with the US has nearly doubled since 2019. Back then, the surplus stood at around 15% of exports; by 2025, it had increased to 30%. This trend highlights the difficulty the US faces in reducing its trade gap.
Future Projections
Analysts expect the US to continue running trade deficits with China in the near term. Fluctuations in trade values will likely continue, driven by both economic cycles and political decisions.
Employment and Sector Impacts
Jobs Supported by Trade
Trade with China supports jobs across the US in sectors such as agriculture, aerospace, and education. These industries rely on Chinese demand to sustain exports and economic activity.
Impact of Declining Chinese Enrollment
Fewer Chinese students are enrolling in US universities, slowing recovery in education exports. This affects not just schools but also housing, retail, and local services that benefit from international students.
Recovery in Travel and Tourism
Chinese tourism is rebounding, with spending rising more than 270% in 2024. Still, the sector has not yet reached pre-pandemic activity levels, which limits the full recovery of related service jobs.
What Lies Ahead for US-China Trade
Shifting Trade Patterns
China’s export share to the US has declined, falling from 19% in 2017 to just 11.4% in early 2025. China is increasingly looking to diversify its trading partners and reduce reliance on US markets.
Resilient Sectors
Despite ongoing challenges, sectors like aerospace and semiconductors continue to see growth. These industries are less sensitive to price fluctuations and benefit from long-term demand in China.
Ongoing Challenges
The future of China American trade relations remains uncertain. Tariffs, geopolitical competition, and supply chain restructuring will continue to shape how goods and services move between the two largest economies in the world.
Key Takeaways for US-China Trade
US imports and exports with China remain one of the largest and most complex bilateral trade relationships in the world.
The US continues to import significantly more than it exports, particularly in electronics and consumer goods.
Services exports and high-tech sectors such as aerospace and semiconductors offer some balance, but structural issues persist.
Trade barriers such as tariffs have fundamentally shifted how businesses operate and plan. Political uncertainty adds another layer of complexity.
As someone who advises clients on global trade strategies, I always recommend staying informed and agile. The future of the United States trade relationship with China will be shaped as much by diplomacy as by market forces.
For ongoing updates and expert analysis on global trade trends, follow us at Current Thoughts on Trade.
