US Exports: Top Categories, Challenges, and Opportunities

The United States exported $2.5 trillion in goods and services in 2019. That generated 8.5% of U.S. total economic output as measured by gross domestic product (GDP). Exports are a critical component of GDP. Tariffs imposed by the U.S. government took a slight toll on that number in 2019.

America has the potential to export much more. Only 1% of U.S. businesses export. 

Top U.S. Exports

The United States exports $1.65 trillion in goods, or two-thirds of all exports. Like most countries, the United States exports more goods than services. People can look, feel, and easily compare the value of both local and foreign goods. They are more careful when it comes to services. They prefer relying on local people they know and trust.

Capital goods are the most successful export category. U.S.-based corporations understand the needs of other multinational firms. Of the $547 billion in capital goods exported, 65% is from six categories:

1. Commercial aircraft ($132 billion): produced mostly by Boeing
2. Industrial machines ($57 billion)
3. Semiconductors ($50 billion): primarily Intel and Texas Instruments
4. Electric apparatus ($44 billion)
5. Telecommunications ($36 billion)
6. Medical equipment ($38 billion): Unlike most other U.S. export leaders, more than 80% of medical device companies are small businesses

Next is industrial supplies and equipment. The United States exports $531 billion of materials used by manufacturers. Most of it is oil and oil-based products. Here again, the large multi-nationals do most of the trade. They are already familiar with the reputations, leaders, and processes of their main suppliers. The oil-based exports include these four categories:

1. Chemicals ($81 billion): This segment is strong thanks to U.S. patent protection. One out of five patents is chemistry-related. Most are byproducts of oil.
2. Fuel oil ($41 billion): This is oil burned for fuel that's heavier than gasoline.
3. Petroleum products ($122 billion): Exxon-Mobil, Chevron, and Conoco-Phillips are America's largest producers of oil.
4. Plastic ($38 billion): This is a byproduct of oil. The industry employs more than 900,000 workers.

The next-largest industrial supplies category is not oil-based, although it is a commodity. This is non-monetary gold at $19 billion.

Consumer goods make up 12% of U.S. exports at $206 billion. This is mostly pharmaceuticals ($61 billion), cell phones ($27 billion), and gem diamonds ($20 billion).  Consumer spending drives almost 70% of the economy. U.S. corporate experience in the domestic market creates a competitive advantage in the global market.

Automobiles are next at 10% ($162 billion) of all goods exported. The Big Three U.S. automakers were GM, Ford, and Chrysler until the 2008 financial crisis. The auto bailout forced them to become more efficient and globally competitive.

Agricultural products are a strategic export, at $131 billion. The industry benefits from government farm subsidies. That makes them lower-priced than foreign competitors. (The U.S. government's trade wars and tariffs have jolted the agricultural products market in 2019 because previous buyers are finding new suppliers.) The biggest agricultural exports are enhanced through bio-engineering and chemical additives. Both lower the cost of production. They are:

• Soybeans ($20 billion): Mainly used for cattle feed and genetically engineered
• Meat and poultry ($20 billion): Raised using antibiotics
• Corn ($9 billion): Also genetically engineered

Services contribute another third of total exports, at $847 billion. The services America exports the most are those that support the major goods categories. For example, the qualities that help U.S. companies to excel in commercial aircraft also help travel companies. That's the largest service export, at $306 billion. Next is computer and other business services, at $228 billion. Protection of intellectual property, royalties, and license fees is $129 billion. Banking, insurance, and other financial services export $131 billion. Government contracts, including defense, total $21 billion. 

Why the United States Doesn't Export More

The United States imports more than it exports. Why can't it export more?

First, China, India, and other emerging market countries have lower standards of living. That allows them to make consumer goods cheaper than U.S. workers can. In other words, they are better at producing some of the things U.S. consumers need than American companies are. They have a comparative advantage.

Second, some European and Japanese companies make better-quality automobiles than U.S companies. Enough Americans prefer foreign cars to make Hondas, Toyotas, and BMWs popular imports. Similarly, some foods are specialized in foreign countries: French croissants and wines, Mexican tequila, and Greek feta cheese.

Third, the U.S. economy depends on oil. While oil is one of America's largest exports, it's also its biggest import. Americans still use more oil than the country can produce. But this is shifting thanks to shale oil production in Montana and Texas. The industry has recovered from a shale oil boom that led to a bust. Oversupply caused the price of oil to fall, forcing some small companies out of business. 

Why doesn't the United States just use all its domestic oil and cut imports? Geography is one reason. It's easier to export Montana oil to towns across the border in Canada than to ship it to Florida, for example. Also, some grades of oil are not high enough for U.S. consumption. They're shipped to other countries that can use them.

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