This map shows the US trade balance with every country

Visual Capitalist

The World Map of the U.S. Trade Deficit The United States has now run an annual trade deficit for 40 years in a row.

Last year was no exception, and in 2015 the U.S. had over $1.5 trillion in exports while importing $2.2 trillion of goods. The resulting trade deficit was -$735 billion.

Today’s map from HowMuch.net, a cost information site, helps put this most recent information into perspective. Keep in mind that a trade deficit also means an outflow of domestic currency to foreign markets, as the U.S. is spending more money abroad than it is bringing in.

Here’s where that currency went:
(largest negative trade balances)

1. China: -$365.7 billion
2. Germany: -$74.2 billion
3. Japan: -$68.6 billion
4. Mexico: -$58.4 billion
5. Ireland: -$30.4 billion

China alone represents about 50% of the total trade deficit. In comparison, Europe only adds up to 23% of the overall negative balance.

The United States also has smaller, positive trade balances with some nations.

Here they are:

1. Hong Kong: $30.5 billion
2. Netherlands: $24.0 billion
3. Belgium: $14.6 billion
4. Australia: $14.2 billion
5. Singapore: $10.4 billion

Even if the U.S. multiplied its largest positive trade balance (Hong Kong) by a factor of 12x, it would only just then be enough to even out the deficit with China.

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