US State Exports to China Continue Record of Strong Growth

WASHINGTON, DC, March 11, 2008 - All US states have significantly increased their exports to China since 2000, but some--like Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania--have been more successful than others, according to a new US-China Business Council (USCBC) report. All three states exported more than $1 billion to China last year, and have had triple-digit growth in exports to China since 2000.

Overall, China now is the third-largest purchaser of US goods and services, behind only Canada and Mexico. US exports to China in 2007 totaled $65.2 billion, up 18 percent over 2006 and up more than four-fold since 2000.

"This is the untold story," said USCBC President John Frisbie. "These numbers demonstrate once again that the US export relationship with China is strong and growing stronger every year. In a time of softening in the rest of the US economy, US exports to China are a source of strength and jobs."

The report, US Exports to China by State 2000-07, www.uschina.org/public/exports/state_exports_2007.html, is the third annual edition of the USCBC's analysis of export data to China by US state and will be followed by a breakdown of exports to China by US congressional district. The USCBC undertakes these analyses as part of the organization's goal of informing the debate about trade with China.

Highlights of the report:

Nearly every state has registered triple-digit growth in exports to China since 2000, far outpacing exports to the rest of the world. Total US exports to China from 2000 to 2007 grew 300 percent, from $16 billion to $65 billion; total US exports to the rest of the world grew only 50 percent.
Total US exports to China in 2007 were 18.1 percent higher than in 2006.
The top state exporters to China in 2007 were California ($10.6 billion), Washington ($9.6 billion), Texas ($8.3 billion), Louisiana ($2.7 billion), and New York ($2.5 billion).
Nineteen states exported more than $1 billion to China in 2007, and another 10 states exported more than $500 million.
The list of top 15 state exporters to China in 2007 includes states not usually thought of as benefiting from trade with China--Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Exports to China from Nevada, Delaware, Missouri, Idaho, and Utah rose most quickly during the 2000-07 period compared to other states' growth.
Arkansas, Nevada, Utah, Connecticut, and Alaska had the largest growth in exports in 2007 compared to 2006.

The USCBC's report on US Congressional District Exports to China for 2000-07 will be released in April.

For more information on the US-China trade and investment relationship, see www.uschina.org/tradefacts.

The USCBC (www.uschina.org) is the leading organization of US companies engaged in business with the People's Republic of China. Founded in 1973, the USCBC provides extensive China-focused information, advisory, and advocacy services, along with events, to more than 250 US corporations operating within the United States and throughout Asia.