Top US Exports to China: Latest Trade Insights

The trade relationship between the US and China has always been the world's most significant economic linkage. China’s export systems dominate the trading industry due to the high volume of trading business in the country. Meanwhile, US exporters also ship a wide variety of high-value goods to China for profitable business. To understand the top us exports to China and how they have evolved over time requires extensive research and a deep insight for those who watch over global markets. 

Did you know that, according to the recent data, in 2024, the US exported more than $140 billion in goods to China? This figure reflects quite a long-term growth of the US export system, as China’s accession to the WTO and expanded data liberation have risen to new heights, especially compared to the early 2000s.  

This blog aims to cover the biggest exports from the US to China, insights on how they have grown over the years, and what this data means for the exporters, suppliers, and businesses. 

Top Exports of the US to China - 2025 Insights: 

This is a breakdown of the leading export categories from the US to China in 2025. These all signify both the value and the relative share.

• Electronics

The Chinese exports of electronics are the highest in the US. This does not simply denote the sheer amount of electronics being exchanged but also brings to light the strong reliance of China on the sophisticated US technologies, especially the high-technology components and semiconductors.

• Mineral Fuels & Agriculture

The second most significant portion of exports is made up of mineral fuels and agricultural products. This essentially reflects the value attached to the resources required for the Chinese economy, not only in terms of industrial operations through fuel but also in terms of food security through agricultural imports.

• Aerospace, Medical, & Pharma

Aerospace, medical equipment, and pharmaceutical industries are of the high-value category and have a large proportion of export demand. This implies that China is not focused solely on simple commodities but also on highly manufactured products from the US.

• Plastics

The trade of plastics and chemicals also depicts the diversity of goods that China requires in the US. These are used in a variety of industrial and consumer products, and this indicates the scope of the manufacturing requirements in China and its contribution to world supply networks. 

• Motor Vehicles

The lowest category in this trade relationship, however, is the motor vehicle exports. This implies that even though China is importing a huge quantity of advanced technology and raw materials, its demand for the US-manufactured vehicles is relatively low.

On the whole, all these points are the indicators of the outstanding diversity of the Chinese market and trading values. The import patterns of China are highly derivative in their allocation of basic resources, new technology, and several types of manufactured products, all of which are essential in the continued growth of China and its integration with the global economy.

Historical Trends - Growth Over Time:

The export system of the US has developed quite a lot, with it building extensive relationships with countries for profitable trading. The growth has been significant and impactful, as the following key factors note the importance of Chinese markets to U.S exporters. 

• In 2001, the US-China trade system grew rapidly following China’s WTO entry. Exports to China took a giant leap, accounting for over 68% of the dollars. 
• This growth is far greater and broader than the U.S export growth rate, especially during the same period of time. This indicates that China has become one of the fastest-growing markets for US goods. 
• The sectoral shift from the early 2000s saw exports become more concentrated on agricultural and raw materials. However, as the technology advanced and became popular, the high-value tech manufacturing goods like electronics, aerospace, machinery, etc, took a leap in the increasing export markets. 
• The extended growth over the years highlights China's strategic role for U.S. exporters, particularly for high-value, B2B-oriented products.

The U.S. State Exporters to China

The export to China is not evenly distributed across the US. Some states lead in exports more than others. The recent data (2025) shows:

•  Texas: Approximately $22.5 billion of exports to China.
•  California: About $15 billion. 
•  Washington: More than $11 billion.
•  Louisiana, North Carolina, and Indiana are also among the influential contributors.

What this reveals:

• Many major states with the highest exports are hubs for energy (Texas), agriculture (the Midwest), aerospace/ technology manufacturing (Washington, California), and industrial machinery (other states).
•  As an exporter or B2B supplier, you can align your business with these state-level supply chains, which can improve efficiency (shipping logistics, regulatory awareness, infrastructure).
•  You can also use sites like Tradeyao, where state-level data helps focus on suppliers in states with significant export volume to China.

Why Chinese Markets Remain Essential - Demand Side Factors:

There are several factors that highlight China's importance to the U.S. export system. These include significant manufacturing needs, ongoing industrial upgrades, large-scale food and agricultural demand, rising middle and upper-class consumption of high-end goods, and efforts to diversify energy and resource supplies.

• Industrial Upgrade & Manufacturing Demand:

The China’s industrial sector demands advanced machinery, components, electronic parts, medical equipment, as well as chemical industries. These are all the areas where the U.S. excels the most.

• Food and Agricultural Demand:

China has a massive population and remains a leading purchaser of U.S. agriculture products. These include soybeans, grains, oilseeds, and oil products for food processing and other uses.

• Middle / Upper-classes’ high-end Goods Demand:

There is a high demand for safer pharmaceuticals, cars, electronics, advanced machinery, and even luxury items (e.g., expensive cars, medical equipment).

• Diversification of Resources / Energy:

China imports energy products, mineral fuels, and oils from the U.S. to meet its rising needs and diversify its suppliers. They help China balance its energy requirements, particularly amid rising domestic energy demand.

Recent changes, challenges, and risks (2024-2025).

Trade is still robust, but there are a number of trends emerging that exporters and suppliers should monitor, especially those who track the trading markets on online platforms such as TradeYao.

• Trade imbalance and deficit warnings:

US exports to China were nearly identical in 2023 and 2024, amounting to $143-144 billion. However, U.S. imports from China were significantly higher, making China a leading cause of the U.S. goods trade deficit. This shortage has led to political pressure and regulatory screening, which can create a shifting demand or change in the import/export flows.

• Export Prices of Energy and Commodities:

Energy products (oil, fuels) are also among the leading exports; however, energy prices are quite unpredictable and fluctuate a lot worldwide. The geopolitical factors and alternative suppliers also influence such volatile flows.

• Agricultural Competition & Risk on Export:

The agricultural market is expanding, with soybeans remaining a major export. However, the rivalry with other producers (such as Brazil and Argentina) and fluctuations in commodity prices can affect the US market share.

• Trade/ Geopolitical Headwinds:

Trade tensions and shifting regulations are adding uncertainty to trade flows, particularly for high-value manufacturing exports.

• ​Diversified Products Requirement:

The reliance on a small number of export lines could be risky. Exporters are increasingly diversifying their portfolios (machinery, medical devices, electronics) to balance the industry fluctuations.

Strategic Insights for Business & Exporters

​ Understanding these export trends can help companies, B2B suppliers, and buyers using data platforms like TradeYao.

• Use Different Product Lines For Stability

Do not rely on a single commodity or product line. Instead, aim to offer a diverse variety of agricultural, machinery, electronics, and medical devices to manage the price fluctuations.

• Take Advantage of High-Value / High-Tech Exports

Machinery, electronic parts, aerospace parts, and medical equipment are strong and deliver higher profitable margins. Developing good export skills and maintaining supply-chain flexibility can be quite beneficial to your business.

• Use State-Level Data to Optimize Logistics

Sourcing from states such as Texas (energy, machinery), Washington (tech, electronics), and California (manufacturing, aerospace) can help reduce transportation costs and help in the acceleration of timely delivery.

• Track the development of Trade Policy and Regulations

Due to ongoing trade unrest and policy changes, it is crucial to monitor the U.S.-China trade policy shifts closely. Keep the sourcing flexible, transparent, and ready for changes.

• Focus on Building Consistency, Quality, and Certification

Many buyers, especially in China, in the medical, aerospace, agricultural, and energy sectors, focus on compliance, safety, and certification for reliable trading.

• Explore the Emerging and Niche Export Markets

High-growth industries like medical products, pharmaceuticals, and industrial machinery have emerged as the leading sectors in recent years. The green energy products, high-technology parts, and medical and laboratory equipment are also quite worthy of notice.

The Future of the US-China Exports (2025 and Beyond).

These are some of the predictions for future export systems based on the existing data and trade dynamics​:

• More high-value manufactured exports (machinery, electronics, aerospace) would come from China, as the country invests a lot in infrastructure and continuously upgrades its industrial capacity.
• There will be significant agricultural exports, particularly soybeans, grains, and oilseeds, but they might face competition from global producers and fluctuating demand due to the crop production in China.
• The level of energy exports can change; however, it may remain as a part of the strategies, particularly when international energy markets are ever-changing.
• The markets are likely to be diversified. U.S. exporters may rely on more subsectors, such as medical equipment, renewable energy components, advanced machinery, and specialized chemical products.
• The supply chain markets and trading systems’ qualifications, like certifications, may become more important than ever. Focusing on this would be beneficial. 

Conclusion:

The trade data in recent years has shown that the United States has been exporting a wide range of goods to China, including not only high-tech electronics and aerospace products but also agricultural, energy, and pharmaceutical products. With global changes, trade challenges, and competition, China remains one of the leading purchasers of U.S. goods. Therefore, the biggest U.S. exports to China are quite essential to follow, especially for exporters, manufacturers, and B2B businesses.

This can be of significant importance for businesses that use platforms like TradeYao mainly for analyzing past trends and tracking state-level export sources. Keeping an eye on the rapidly growing export categories can put them in a position to grow steadily. The main things to follow are the product line diversification, quality and compliance assurance, agility to regulatory changes, as well as keeping an eye on industry trends.

This blog mainly focuses on the era of rising potential in U.S.-China trade, which is not yet over. For individuals who analyze the data and make adjustments, the advantage remains significant.