Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade, 2018

The U.S. International Trade Commission has published its annual examination of trends in U.S. trade describing the global macroeconomic conditions for the year, as well as changes within 10 industry sectors and a number of possible reasons for these changes. The report also contains a "special topic" chapter, which details certain trade actions in 2018 and the trade shifts that occurred following these actions.

Contents

Part I: Introduction

• Macroeconomic Conditions in 2018
• U.S. Trade by Industry Sector and Selected Trading Partners

Part II: Country Shifts

Part II provides interactive graphics for shifts in trade between the United States and five key trading partners:

• China
• Mexico
• Japan
• Canada
• South Korea

The Commission selected Canada for the interactive graphics because it was the United States’ second-largest trading partner based on exports plus imports in 2018. Likewise, the Commission selected South Korea because it had the largest increase in its trade balance with the United States (exports minus imports). Finally, the Commission selected China, Mexico, and Japan because these countries registered the largest absolute or relative increase in U.S. exports or imports in 2018.

Part III: Sector Shifts

Part III analyzes shifts in trade for the following 10 industry sectors:

• Agricultural Products
• Chemicals and Related Products
• Electronic Products
• Energy-related Products
• Footwear
• Forest Products
• Machinery
• Minerals and Metals
• Textiles and Apparel
• Transportation Equipment

Part IV: Special Topic:

• Section 232 and 301 Trade Actions in 2018