The U.S. remains the world’s largest trader in Merchandise. In 2011, imports of exports totaled about $3.7 Trillion and the trade deficit stood at $785 billion according to trade data from World Trade Organization (WTO).China and Germany were the 2nd and 3rd in merchandise trade followed by Japan.
Unlike the U.S., both China and Germany ran trade surplus in 2011. This is because these countries are export-oriented and not consumption-oriented economies. The U.S. imports more goods from other countries especially China than it exports resulting in trade deficit year after year. At $219 billion, Germany’s trade surplus was 40% more than China’s as per the WTO global trade report.
The Leading Countries in Merchandise Trade in 2011:
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Source: International Trade Statistics 2012, WTO
