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China dethroned as top source of US imports after 17 years, replaced by Mexico: census data
- World’s second-largest economy also saw its share of American imports decline to 13.9 per cent in 2023, its lowest level in 20 years
- Total value of goods shipped from China to US fell by 20.3 per cent last year compared to 2022, as Mexico’s grew by 4.6 per cent
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Ji Siqiin Washington
For the first time in 17 years, China was dethroned as the United States’ top source of imports, offering fresh evidence that Washington’s tariffs and supply-chain diversification efforts are bearing fruit.
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Mexico outpaced China in 2023 in terms of total value of goods shipped to the US, according to data from the US Census Bureau released on Wednesday.
Total US imports from China last year reached US$427.2 billion, falling by 20.3 per cent compared to 2022, and slightly higher than the US$421.1 billion from Canada in 2023, census data showed.
Meanwhile, the US bought US$475.6 billion worth of goods from Mexico in 2023, increasing by 4.6 per cent year on year.
China’s share of US imports also dipped to 13.9 per cent in 2023, its lowest level since 2004. China’s share peaked at 21.6 per cent in 2017, before the trade war began; it was 16.3 per cent for 2022.
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China had been the top goods supplier to the US since 2007, when it surpassed Canada.
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