The US still buys more from the world than China

Chart · 9 Nov 2026

Area chart of imports of goods and services in current US dollars, 1990 to 2024, for the US, in gold, and China. US imports rise from $630bn to $4.11tn with a 22% drop in 2009; China's rise from $38bn to $3.28tn.

In 1990 the US bought $630bn of goods and services from the rest of the world, China $38bn. In 2024 China, the world's biggest exporter, bought $3.28tn.

Source: World Bank national accounts, 2024