Where America sends its planes and 25 other manufacturing exports
Where America sends its planes and 25 other manufacturing exports
Export numbers across the board in the United States have declined this year, between August and September of 2019 alone. Soybean exports dropped by $1 billion, along with vehicles, engines, and other automotive parts. The overall declines are in no small part and other tariffs imposed on exporting goods: More than 30 states saw double-digit slumps in Chinese exports through September 2019.
As America's export landscape continues to evolve, 麻豆原创 looked at to curate a gallery of 26 major manufacturing products produced in the United States and where those products get exported to. The data tell a story of exactly where the products are going, how much is being exported, what percentage of U.S. exports that is, and how much money the U.S. makes off each product. You'll also learn which companies are among the largest exporters and how their particular industry has been faring over the last few years鈥攚hether sales are down or up, and why.
Read on to discover where the United States' main manufacturing exports are heading, like air conditioning machines, which account for $2.7 billion of the country's total exports. You'll also discover some of the biggest players for those specific exports and be able to unpack just why so many people think it's illegal to export cars out of the United States.
You may also like:
Fertilizers
- U.S. total exports: $4.2 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Canada ($1.1 billion, 25.5% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Brazil ($968.4 million, 23.3%)
--- #3. Mexico ($288.7 million, 6.9%)
--- #4. China ($248.5 million, 6.0%)
--- #5. Australia ($228.2 million, 5.5%)
Demand for every type of fertilizer has since 2014. However, farmers have with exporting fertilizer because of tariffs and the in-flux North American trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. That struggle is reflected in numbers; Mosaic, the largest fertilizer manufacturer in the United States, recently saw its stock fall after a third-quarter loss.
Plastics and articles thereof
- U.S. total exports: $66.6 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Mexico ($17.9 billion, 26.8% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Canada ($13.9 billion, 20.8%)
--- #3. China ($5.7 billion, 8.6%)
--- #4. Belgium ($2.7 billion, 4.1%)
--- #5. Japan ($1.9 billion, 2.8%)
Plastic exports are at an right now, partly due to stringent import restrictions on the material in different countries around the world, particularly India. Dow Chemical is both the and leading exporter of plastics in the United States, focusing on performance plastics鈥攁 type of plastic that can withstand volatile environments.
Tools and metal cutlery
- U.S. total exports: $4.8 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Canada ($1.4 billion, 28.0% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Mexico ($933.9 million, 19.3%)
--- #3. Germany ($249.3 million, 5.2%)
--- #4. China ($194.0 million, 4.0%)
--- #5. United Kingdom ($174.9 million, 3.6%)
According to IndustryWeek鈥檚 Michael Collins, the tool and cutlery markets have been and are probably unsalvageable. Since 1965, the American export market for tools has decreased by 23%, down to 5% of the world market for tools. Oneida, a cutlery company that鈥檚 been in business since 1880, is a major exporter in the market.
Nuclear reactors and fuel
- U.S. total exports: $215.8 million
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Taiwan ($44.3 million, 20.5% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. United Arab Emirates ($35.9 million, 16.7%)
--- #3. Spain ($29.1 million, 13.5%)
--- #4. Sweden ($25.4 million, 11.8%)
--- #5. France ($17.5 million, 8.1%)
For the past 15 years, nuclear reactor needs have even though many nuclear power plants have shut down. Modifying currently operating plants to take on more power-generating capacity has kept the reactor market strong. General Electric, in collaboration with Japanese company Hitachi, is the of nuclear reactors in the country, and the third largest in the world.
Steam turbines
- U.S. total exports: $313.4 million
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. United Kingdom ($36.9 million, 11.8% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Mexico ($21.7 million, 6.9%)
--- #3. Canada ($20.6 million, 6.6%)
--- #4. Iraq ($18.9 million, 6.0%)
--- #5. Brazil ($16.6 million, 5.3%)
As long as gas, oil, and nuclear power plants are necessary around the world to generate power, we'll need steam turbines鈥攕o the market isn't in a whole lot of trouble at the moment. In fact, they can be so in demand that there are occasionally illegal shipments of turbine parts, like when Turbine Services Ltd. was searched by federal officials.
Turbojets, turbo propellers, gas turbines
- U.S. total exports: $9.0 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Mexico ($1.1 billion, 12.5% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Canada ($712.5 million, 8.0%)
--- #3. United Kingdom ($573.2 million, 6.4%)
--- #4. Japan ($556.8 million, 6.2%)
--- #5. Singapore ($531.3 million, 5.9%)
The , decreasing year after year鈥攅ven as other jet engine components continue to have a strong export rate, though with due to tariffs. GE Aviation has a legacy of being one of the best in this business; it created the first jet engine and today supplies the major aircraft companies with turbojets, turbo propellers, and gas turbines.
Air conditioning machines
- U.S. total exports: $2.7 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Canada ($1.3 billion, 47.1% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Mexico ($515.3 million, 19.3%)
--- #3. United Kingdom ($74.2 million, 2.8%)
--- #4. Saudi Arabia ($67.1 million, 2.5%)
--- #5. China ($56.2 million, 2.1%)
The market for global exports of air conditioning machines from the United States is up this year by 鈥攂ut it鈥檚 the first increase since 2015. Regardless, the market continues to slowly increase, boosted by international sales from companies like CB Sales International, one of the leading exporters of HVAC systems.
Bulldozers, graders, scrapers
- U.S. total exports: $5.2 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Canada ($2.9 billion, 55.9% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Australia ($312.3 million, 6.1%)
--- #3. Mexico ($253.8 million, 4.9%)
--- #4. Belgium ($197.4 million, 3.8%)
--- #5. Germany ($111.7 million, 2.2%)
As of 2016, heavy construction equipment like bulldozers, graders, and scrapers were exporting at an eight-year low. It鈥檚 because of a combination of things: lasting recession effects, increased foreign competition, and cheaper foreign products. Caterpillar, a producer for bulldozers and other construction equipment, this year thanks to global economic uncertainty and Chinese competition.
Electric motors and generators
- U.S. total exports: $4.1 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Mexico ($1.1 billion, 26.9% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Canada ($849.7 million, 21.0%)
--- #3. United Kingdom ($210.1 million, 5.2%)
--- #4. China ($203.7 million, 5.0%)
--- #5. Germany ($188.8 million, 4.7%)
More than are sold annually and growth of the market continues to increase; it鈥檚 expected to go up another several billion dollars by 2021. Regal Beloit, in Wisconsin, is a star in this industry鈥攁lmost every variable-speed residential HVAC system in the country has a Regal Beloit motor.
Electric storage batteries
- U.S. total exports: $3.7 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Canada ($1.0 billion, 27.6% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Mexico ($707.1 million, 19.0%)
--- #3. Netherlands ($397.4 million, 10.7%)
--- #4. United Kingdom ($220.3 million, 5.9%)
--- #5. China ($145.4 million, 3.9%)
Electric storage batteries are critical as we move to more ; a windmill, for example, can't bank up energy unless there's a place to store it鈥攈ence the battery. Panasonic is one of the major U.S. battery makers and exporters, producing mostly lithium batteries with a variety of shapes and sizes.
Tractors
- U.S. total exports: $5.8 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Canada ($3.4 billion, 58.3% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Australia ($413.5 million, 7.1%)
--- #3. Mexico ($280.9 million, 4.8%)
--- #4. Germany ($164.2 million, 2.8%)
--- #5. Russia ($116.9 million, 2.0%)
Even though the United States was the of big farm equipment as of 2017, the market is still shaky because of trade wars and tariffs with China. John Deere, one of the major manufacturers and exporters of tractors and farm equipment, saw its dealers take sometimes a since the beginning of the tariffs; some dealerships saw sales decrease by 50%.
Cars and vehicles for transport of passengers
- U.S. total exports: $51.4 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Canada ($15.0 billion, 29.2% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. China ($6.7 billion, 13.0%)
--- #3. Germany ($5.9 billion, 11.4%)
--- #4. Mexico ($3.0 billion, 5.9%)
--- #5. United Arab Emirates ($1.9 billion, 3.8%)
As trade wars continue with China and other countries, export rates for passenger vehicles . Unfortunately, that鈥檚 compounded by an already negative impression of passenger vehicle exports. Many people , thanks to both the government and a gray area when companies like Ford don鈥檛 sell a certain model abroad.
Vehicles for transport of goods
- U.S. total exports: $15.5 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Canada ($11.8 billion, 76.1% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Mexico ($750.4 million, 4.8%)
--- #3. Australia ($503.9 million, 3.2%)
--- #4. United Arab Emirates ($419.6 million, 2.7%)
--- #5. Chile ($323.8 million, 2.1%)
Together with soybeans and passenger cars, in September, thanks to the addition of more tariffs and a trade war. The largest commercial truck manufacturer in the United States is 鈥攁nd it鈥檚 actually owned by Daimler, a German company.
Tanks and armored vehicles
- U.S. total exports: $1.5 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Afghanistan ($437.7 million, 29.4% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Japan ($206.6 million, 13.9%)
--- #3. Korea, South ($123.7 million, 8.3%)
--- #4. Canada ($120.7 million, 8.1%)
--- #5. Egypt ($100.7 million, 6.8%)
The United States fuels about 鈥攊ncluding tanks and armored vehicles鈥攊n a market that continues to increase every year. Chrysler, one of the major car manufacturers in the country, has even had a in the past to help supply the exports.
Motorcycles
- U.S. total exports: $1.3 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Belgium ($453.7 million, 35.6% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Canada ($215.4 million, 16.9%)
--- #3. Japan ($121.3 million, 9.5%)
--- #4. Australia ($94.9 million, 7.4%)
--- #5. Singapore ($87.0 million, 6.8%)
The motorcycle export market has increased by , and almost half of that happened in just the last year. But tariffs are taking a toll in the industry鈥攅ven giants like Harley Davidson are having to retool how they do business to avoid excessive costs. Harley, for example, is moving manufacturing of motorcycles bound for China . and into Thailand.
Civilian aircraft
- U.S. total exports: $130.7 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. China ($18.2 billion, 13.9% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. France ($13.4 billion, 10.3%)
--- #3. United Kingdom ($11.3 billion, 8.6%)
--- #4. Canada ($9.4 billion, 7.2%)
--- #5. Germany ($8.4 billion, 6.5%)
Aircraft exports are not doing well. In 2019, the market took a . The main source was Boeing鈥攊t鈥檚 ill-fated 737 MAX becoming grounded indefinitely had a major impact on the market.
Non-civilian aircraft and spacecraft
- U.S. total exports: $2.3 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. France ($322.1 million, 13.7% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Taiwan ($250.4 million, 10.7%)
--- #3. India ($244.9 million, 10.4%)
--- #4. United Kingdom ($244.1 million, 10.4%)
--- #5. French Guiana ($188.5 million, 8.0%)
Every time a new military aircraft is built, there鈥檚 an opportunity for 鈥攕o it鈥檚 doubtful this market will decrease any time soon. For example, in the beginning of 2019, Lockheed-Martin, the Maryland-based aeronautics manufacturer, expected an export market boost of more than for an assembly line it hoped to open in India, making F-16 fighter jets.
Ships and boats
- U.S. total exports: $2.6 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Canada ($638.3 million, 24.5% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Mexico ($377.3 million, 14.5%)
--- #3. United Arab Emirates ($187.3 million, 7.2%)
--- #4. Israel ($95.0 million, 3.6%)
--- #5. Australia ($94.5 million, 3.6%)
In 2018, , 15% more than 2017 and raking in $3.3 billion. However, thanks to new tariffs, export rates declined in the second half of 2018. Marquis Yacht in Wisconsin has faced issues thanks to the tariffs as well; of the company鈥檚 business, and the extra cost has made international sales flounder.
Microscopes
- U.S. total exports: $377.5 million
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Netherlands ($74.3 million, 19.7% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. China ($62.9 million, 16.7%)
--- #3. Japan ($33.2 million, 8.8%)
--- #4. Korea, South ($31.1 million, 8.2%)
--- #5. Germany ($30.3 million, 8.0%)
Thanks to increased corporate and government investments, the microscope market is growing and will continue to do so, expected to reach $9.1 billion by 2024. Bruker, one of the leading exporters that鈥檚 based in Massachusetts, will likely take even more of the market share with its to see infrared emissions.
Clocks and watches
- U.S. total exports: $1.5 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Hong Kong ($514.9 million, 33.3% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Switzerland ($330.5 million, 21.3%)
--- #3. Canada ($153.3 million, 9.9%)
--- #4. Mexico ($98.5 million, 6.4%)
--- #5. Japan ($52.0 million, 3.4%)
Trade wars between the United States and China negatively impacted the clock and watch industry; the first half of 2019 saw alone. Things haven't always been that bad, though鈥攁t one point the market was climbing every year, like when Masterclock (which makes timing systems and related equipment) in 2016 for making a significant contribution to U.S. exports.
Musical instruments
- U.S. total exports: $749.1 million
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Japan ($114.2 million, 15.2% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Canada ($111.1 million, 14.8%)
--- #3. Netherlands ($69.7 million, 9.3%)
--- #4. Germany ($61.4 million, 8.2%)
--- #5. United Kingdom ($53.9 million, 7.2%)
Just behind Japan鈥檚 Yamaha, Nashville-based Gibson is the world鈥檚 . The company鈥檚 guitars and accessories are regularly sent around the world, but manufacturers have run into some hard times over the past few years. Regulations on certain types of wood (such as rosewood) .
Revolvers and pistols
- U.S. total exports: $172.1 million
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Thailand ($61.5 million, 35.7% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Philippines ($27.3 million, 15.8%)
--- #3. Canada ($26.8 million, 15.6%)
--- #4. United Arab Emirates ($6.7 million, 3.9%)
--- #5. Germany ($6.7 million, 3.9%)
In 2016, the United States exported . The export totals are on a cycle; we鈥檙e currently on an upswing. SIG Sauer is the country鈥檚 largest firearms exporter鈥攊ts latest contract is to manufacture for the Indian Army.
Bombs and grenades
- U.S. total exports: $4.1 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Saudi Arabia ($1.3 billion, 31.1% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. United Arab Emirates ($503.5 million, 12.4%)
--- #3. Australia ($252.6 million, 6.2%)
--- #4. Japan ($238.0 million, 5.9%)
--- #5. Israel ($172.6 million, 4.2%)
In the first nine months of 2019, when compared to the same time period in 2018. Aerojet Ordnance Tennessee recently celebrated its M67 hand grenade body assembly; the company mainly supplies them to the military and other international defense markets.
Ceramic products
- U.S. total exports: $2.1 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Canada ($387.1 million, 18.8% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Mexico ($333.1 million, 16.2%)
--- #3. Germany ($173.6 million, 8.5%)
--- #4. China ($148.2 million, 7.2%)
--- #5. Korea, South ($117.2 million, 5.7%)
By far, the largest exported ceramic product from the United States is lab products, operating in a 鈥攖hat鈥檚 down from $626.5 million the market brought in 2017. The products, exported by companies like GC America and Rauschert, include low-alkaline dishes for use in things like growing crystals and chemical digestion processes.
Glass and glassware
- U.S. total exports: $5.8 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Canada ($1.7 billion, 30.0% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Mexico ($873.9 million, 15.0%)
--- #3. Germany ($724.6 million, 12.5%)
--- #4. China ($446.7 million, 7.7%)
--- #5. Japan ($384.7 million, 6.6%)
Viracon in Minnesota isn't just the in the United States, it's also an exporting powerhouse, a function the business began . The company makes insulating glass, tempered glass, decorative glass, and laminated glass.
Rubber and articles thereof
- U.S. total exports: $14.0 billion
- Top countries exported to:
--- #1. Canada ($4.1 billion, 29.1% of U.S. exports)
--- #2. Mexico ($3.6 billion, 26.0%)
--- #3. China ($701.8 million, 5.0%)
--- #4. Brazil ($463.8 million, 3.3%)
--- #5. Australia ($453.7 million, 3.2%)
The U.S. exports a lot of rubber, sure鈥攂ut did you know it鈥檚 the world鈥檚 of rubber pipes, just behind Germany? The pipes are used for everything from hoses and vacuum brakes to lab equipment and mining. The rubber industry is doing pretty well, too; every year through 2023.
You may also like: