China was the United States' biggest trading partner in 2016. Trade between the two countries totaled $578 billion, or 21% of all U.S. foreign trade. This cartogram breaks down the total value of Chinese exports by state, with the size of each state representing total export value, and color showing the percentage of total foreign exports that go to China.
Why it matters: Although the Trump administration has delayed plans to take aggressive steps on Chinese IP theft, a retaliatory move from Beijing could have economic effects that will be felt across the country.
- The U.S.-China trade relationship is lopsided — we exported $115.6 billion worth of goods to China in 2016, while we imported $462.6 billion.
- In terms of exports, China came in at number three — behind Canada and Mexico — making up 8 percent of all U.S. exports.
- 27 percent of Alaska's foreign exports go to China. Oregon, South Carolina and Washington export at least 20 percent of their goods to China.
- In Nevada, 46.4 percent of foreign imports come from China. 40 states get at least 10 percent of their foreign imports from China.
- 2017 data is not finalized, but Canada and China are neck and neck as top foreign trading partner as of May. China still comes in third for exports and first for imports.