USA-Japan Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $217.24B total volume โ€ขUSA deficit: $64.49B

USA โ†’ Japan

$76.37B

Exports (2023)

Japan โ†’ USA

$140.87B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$64.49B

Deficit for USA

Total Trade

$217.24B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between USA and Japan. Green line shows exports from USA, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the USA-Japan commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

USA โ†’ Japan Exports

$76.37B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Highly Diversified
Market Share:
5.9% top product
1Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane
$4.50B
5.9% of exports
2Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$3.33B
4.4% of exports
3Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, natural gas
$2.79B
3.6% of exports
4Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products: immunological products, put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale
$2.30B
3.0% of exports
5Cereals: maize (corn), other than seed
$2.23B
2.9% of exports
6Coal: bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated
$2.01B
2.6% of exports
7Ethers: acyclic, and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives, other than diethyl ether
$1.71B
2.2% of exports
8Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018
$1.67B
2.2% of exports
9Oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude
$1.50B
2.0% of exports
10Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellers
$1.49B
2.0% of exports

๐ŸŽฏ Strategic Export Focus

USA's export portfolio to Japan demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

Japan โ†’ USA Imports

$140.87B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Well Diversified
Critical Imports:
12.3% concentration
1Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc
$17.28B
12.3% of imports
2Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000cc
$9.31B
6.6% of imports
3Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power
$6.84B
4.9% of imports
4Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: with a 360 degree revolving super structure
$4.78B
3.4% of imports
5Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc
$2.97B
2.1% of imports
6Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$2.65B
1.9% of imports
7Vehicle parts: gear boxes and parts thereof
$2.63B
1.9% of imports
8Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological products: immunological products, put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale
$2.45B
1.7% of imports
9Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, capable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power
$2.44B
1.7% of imports
10Printing machinery: parts and accessories, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.91
$2.26B
1.6% of imports

๐Ÿ“ฆ Import Strategy Analysis

USA's import pattern from Japan reveals strategic sourcingin vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

๐Ÿ†

Market Leadership

USA demonstrates competitive strength in exportingpetroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane to Japan, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 20+ Categories
๐Ÿ”„

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Specialized Exchange
๐Ÿ“ˆ

Growth Potential

The $217.24B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Major Partnership

Executive Summary: USA-Japan Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $217.24 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: USA maintains a deficit of $64.49 billion
  • Export Focus: USA's primary exports include petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane, medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale, petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, natural gas
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Japan include vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 3000cc, vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationDiversified
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

๐Ÿ“ˆ Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents one of the world's largest trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.

Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context

Trade Evolution Timeline

2019-2023: Recent Trends

Current trade volume of $217.24B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.

2015-2019: Growth Period

Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with USA leveraging its comparative advantages in petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane.

2010-2015: Foundation Building

Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.

Pre-2010: Early Development

Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.

Key Economic Drivers

1

Comparative Advantage

USA's specialization in petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propanecomplements Japan's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $217.24B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationLow
Market DependencyModerate
๐Ÿ”ฎ

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $217.24B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.

Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook

Economic Impact Assessment

๐Ÿ’ฐ

Trade Volume Impact

The $217.24 billion bilateral trade volume represents a major economic driverfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Critical
๐Ÿญ

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane and vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Diversified
โš–๏ธ

Trade Balance Effects

USA's trade deficit of $64.49 billion impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Import Dependency

Strategic Future Outlook

๐Ÿš€Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

โš ๏ธRisk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Moderate concentration in key sectors requires monitoring
Market Competition
Global competition in petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane may affect future market positioning.

๐ŸŽฏStrategic Recommendations

  • Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
  • Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
  • Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
  • Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs

Market Position & Competitive Summary

The bilateral trade relationship between USA and Japan represents a total trade volume of $217.24 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for USA, with imports exceeding exportsby $64.49 billion.

Export Strengths

USA's exports to Japan total $76.37 billion, with competitive advantages in petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane, representing $4.50B or5.9% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Japan amount to $140.87 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc, with Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc comprising12.3% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates USA's strategic sourcing from Japan. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.

Download Bilateral Trade Data

Access detailed trade data between USA and Japan in multiple formats.

Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) โ€ข Last Updated: January 2025 โ€ข Coverage: 1995-2023