📈 U.S. Trade Deficit by Contributor Economies (1990–Q1 2025)

Asia Remains the Largest Driver of the U.S. Goods Trade Deficit, Despite China's Decline

Asia has historically been the largest contributor to the U.S. goods trade deficit, averaging a 65% share from 1990 to Q1 2025. While China surpassed the rest of Asia in 2006—rising to account for 48% of the total U.S. trade deficit by 2018—its share declined sharply following the onset of the U.S.–China trade war. By 2024, China’s share had fallen to 25%, while the rest of Asia increased to 38%, overtaking China as the leading regional contributor.

In the 12 months ending Q1 2025, the U.S. goods trade deficit reached a record $1,379 billion. Of this total, Asia accounted for $807 billion (58.5%), including $305 billion (22.2%) from China and $502 billion (36.4%) from the rest of Asia. The European Union contributed $283 billion (20.5%), followed by Mexico at $179 billion (13.0%) and Canada at $70 billion (5.0%).