Before trade tensions reshaped global supply lines, the U.S. brought in goods that fueled industries, filled shelves, and shaped daily life. These major imports weren’t just economic drivers—they tell a broader story. Explore the global flow that helped define America’s consumer market.
Crude Oil From Canada
In 2017, Canada supplied over 40% of the crude oil the U.S. imported, with much of it traveling more than 2,000 miles through pipelines. The U.S. brought in more crude oil before tariffs, largely drawn from Alberta’s massive oil sands.
Spices From Vietnam
Nearly every American table relied on Vietnamese-grown pepper, as the country overtook India to dominate the spice trade throughout the 2010s. Vietnam’s spice exports to the U.S. crossed $1 billion yearly, led by black pepper and cinnamon.
Vehicles From Japan
In 2019, Japan ranked among the top three vehicle exporters to the U.S., sending over $40 billion in passenger cars. The Toyota Camry consistently topped American sales charts, and many of these imported vehicles were partly assembled in U.S. factories.
Electronics From China
China accounted for more than $150 billion in U.S. electronics imports in 2018, with smartphones, laptops, and routers at the forefront. Most major phone brands sourced components there, and iPhones, in particular, leaned heavily on Chinese assembly lines.
Medical Equipment From Germany
German-made MRI machines and dental tools became staples in American healthcare, thanks to the country’s trusted precision engineering. Germany was a key supplier of diagnostic equipment to the U.S., exporting nearly $7 billion in medical devices by 2021.
Televisions From South Korea
With exports valued at over $10 billion annually, South Korea led the charge in U.S. display technology imports. Samsung and LG dominated American living rooms, while Seoul and Busan housed some of the globe’s most advanced OLED television factories.
Pharmaceuticals From Ireland
Ireland led all nations in U.S. pharmaceutical imports in 2019, contributing over $30 billion in drugs. Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson heavily invested in Irish production, drawn by the country’s favorable tax structure and export-friendly manufacturing environment.
Watches From Switzerland
America ranked as one of Switzerland’s biggest customers, and many of those luxury timepieces were still assembled by hand in the Alps. The U.S. imported over $2 billion in Swiss watches each year, with Rolex and Omega leading sales in department stores.
Apparel From Vietnam
Before tariffs, Vietnam had become a major player in U.S. clothing imports, shipping over $12 billion in garments each year. The country’s textile industry grew by more than 250% during the 2010s, and top U.S. brands like Nike turned to Vietnam for large-scale production.
Toys From China
China accounted for more than 80% of toys sold in the U.S. before tariffs, and the total value of those imports exceeded $25 billion. Even American-made icons like Barbie came out of Chinese factories that had to follow strict safety and quality standards.
Plastic Packaging From Taiwan
Taiwan is a significant supplier of plastic wrap and containers to the U.S. due to its strong global presence and focus on sustainability. Many takeout boxes and packaging wraps come from Taiwanese firms known for eco-friendly innovation backed by national clean-tech policies.
Furniture From Malaysia
American homes unknowingly feature Malaysian-made sofas crafted from native rubberwood and acacia, reflecting the country’s rapid rise as a top supplier before trade changes. In 2024 alone, the U.S. imported $1.17 billion worth of furniture from Malaysia.
Cheese From Italy
Italy’s prized DOP-certified varieties drove demand, and 2019’s tariff disputes turned cheese imports into a surprisingly heated political flashpoint. The U.S. brought in more than $500 million in Italian cheeses annually, led by Parmigiano-Reggiano and Mozzarella.
Steel From Brazil
In 2017, nearly 14% of all steel brought into the U.S. came from Brazil, making it the nation’s second-largest source. These imports—mainly flat-rolled and slab steel—fed countless American factories and included large volumes of semi-finished metal tailored for industrial use.
Coffee Beans From Colombia
Colombia sends over $1.2 billion in coffee beans to the U.S. each year, remaining the top source. The U.S. was Colombia’s largest coffee buyer, with American cafes relying heavily on Colombian farms. In fact, the phrase “100% Colombian” turned into a trusted label recognized nationwide.
Batteries From Thailand
Thailand’s battery exports to the U.S. crossed $1 billion before 2019, with lead-acid and lithium-ion types supporting countless American electronics. Relaxed trade policies helped Thailand become a production center, as car battery imports rose more than 300% between 2015 and 2018.
Machinery From Mexico
The U.S. brought in over $25 billion worth of machinery from Mexico annually, making it one of the top import categories before tariffs. NAFTA played a major role in boosting this trade, especially in car engines and HVAC systems built for American markets.
Wheat Pasta From Turkey
Many generic-brand noodles on American shelves came from Turkey, which saw its dry pasta exports surge in the late 2010s. Turkey shipped 46.3 million pounds of pasta to the U.S., with durum wheat-based products becoming a favorite for budget-conscious importers.
Footwear From Indonesia
Indonesia supplied nearly $5 billion worth of footwear to the U.S. each year and ranked among the top five global sources. Big brands like Adidas and Converse produced major lines there, with leather sandals and sports shoes among the most popular imports.
Seafood From Canada
Annual seafood exports from Canada to the U.S. exceed $3 billion, primarily featuring lobster and Atlantic salmon. In fact, most essentials on East Coast restaurant menus hails from Nova Scotia, and frozen fillets fill grocery freezer sections nationwide.
