The US increased its trade enforcement activities and saw higher trade values in 2017, according to new figures, with exports in apparel and textiles also up in the 12-month period.

According to the International Trade Commission’s annual review of trade-related activities, global economic growth increased by 3.3% in 2017 from 2.5% a year earlier, fuelled primarily by advanced economies including the US, the European Union (EU), Canada, and Japan. Emerging and developing economies such as China, South Korea and Taiwan also contributed.

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In the US, real gross domestic product (GDP) grew 2.3% in 2017, compared to an increase of 1.5% in 2016, the Year in Trade 2017 report showed. Both US exports and US imports of goods also increased in value in 2017.

For exports in particular, growth was boosted by all merchandise sectors, the total of which amounted to US$1.55bn, up 6.6% on 2016. Apparel and textile exports grew 2% in value to $21.7m.

The value of US merchandise imports, meanwhile, totalled $2.34bn in 2017, up 7.1%, with apparel and textile imports edging up 1% to $120.3m.

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In 2017, the European Union (EU) remained the US’ top trading partner in terms of two-way merchandise trade, followed by China, Canada, and Mexico.

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Ranked by exports, the EU was the leading market for US exports at $283.5bn, representing a share of 18.3% of total exports. Canada was the second largest, just shy of the EU value at $282.5bn (18.3%). Mexico was the third leading market at $243bn with a 13% share.

Ranked by general US imports, China was the leading source of imports into the US at $505.6bn (21.6% of imports), followed by the EU at $434.9bn (18.6%) and Mexico at $314.04bn (14%).

The report also revealed the value of US imports of apparel from Haiti increased 2.1% to $866.7m and the value of such imports entering under the HOPE Acts increased 7.9% to $577m. Garments of manmade fibres accounted for a growing share of US apparel imports from Haiti, in contrast to the declining share accounted for by cotton apparel.

Other highlights of the report include:

  • In 2017, 38 sub-Saharan African countries were eligible for AGOA benefits. Another two (The Gambia and Swaziland) were redesignated as eligible effective 22 December 2017. Of these 40 countries, 27 were also eligible for AGOA textile and apparel benefits for all or part of 2017.
  • Total two-way (exports and imports) goods trade between the US and its 20 FTA partners was $1.5trn in 2017, which accounted for 39% of total US goods trade with the world.
  • US trade with Canada and Mexico accounted for $1.1trn or 75.1% of total US trade with FTA partners. US exports to the NAFTA countries rose 5.8% to $525.4bn, while imports rose 7.4% to $614bn.