How Much Does the United States Export?

The United States is one of the world's largest trading economies, with businesses selling everything from medicines and aircraft technology to oil, gold and refined fuels around the world.

In 2025, U.S. exports of goods reached about $2.20 trillion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. When services are included, total U.S. exports reached approximately $3.43 trillion. Total imports of goods and services were about $4.33 trillion, putting total two-way trade at roughly $7.77 trillion.

But what exactly is America selling to the rest of the world?

Looking at individual export commodities gives us an interesting picture. Five products stood out in 2025: pharmaceutical preparations, crude oil, nonmonetary gold, civilian aircraft engines and other petroleum products.

1. Pharmaceutical Preparations — About $119.8 Billion

Pharmaceutical preparations ranked as the largest single U.S. export commodity in 2025, with exports of approximately $119.8 billion, representing around 5.8% of U.S. goods exports.

This category includes finished pharmaceutical products and other medicines prepared for use.

The importance of pharmaceuticals goes beyond the value of the products themselves. The industry depends on highly skilled workers, research facilities, biotechnology companies, specialized manufacturing and intellectual property.

Major U.S. pharmaceutical and life-science hubs include states such as New Jersey, Indiana, North Carolina, California and Massachusetts.

The United States also has a large research ecosystem involving pharmaceutical companies, universities, laboratories and biotechnology startups.

Why Does It Matter?

Pharmaceutical exports represent one of America's strongest high-value manufacturing sectors. Unlike raw commodities, medicines and advanced pharmaceutical products can involve years of research, patents, specialized production and highly skilled employment.

That makes pharmaceuticals an important part of America's position in the global life-sciences market.

2. Crude Oil — About $99.7 Billion

Crude oil was another major U.S. export in 2025, with exports worth approximately $99.7 billion, or around 4.9% of total U.S. goods exports.

The U.S. became a major global oil exporter after Congress lifted the long-standing crude oil export restrictions in December 2015.

Today, American crude oil comes primarily from major producing regions including Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, Alaska and other oil-producing states.

Texas remains particularly important to the U.S. energy industry. The state is the country's leading oil and gas producer and has an extensive network of pipelines, refineries, ports and energy companies.

Why Does It Matter?

Crude oil exports bring international sales into the U.S. energy sector and connect American producers with customers around the world.

At the same time, the United States also imports crude oil, so being a major crude exporter does not mean the country produces all of the specific oil types its refineries need.

That makes the U.S. energy trade more complicated than simply saying America exports oil and imports nothing.

3. Nonmonetary Gold — About $83.9 Billion

Nonmonetary gold ranked third among the major individual U.S. export commodities in 2025, reaching approximately $83.9 billion, or about 4.1% of goods exports.

The term nonmonetary gold generally refers to gold traded for commercial, industrial or investment purposes rather than gold held as official monetary reserves.

Gold is different from many manufactured exports because its trade value can change dramatically with global prices and financial-market conditions.

U.S. gold production is concentrated in states such as Nevada and Alaska, while other locations play important roles in refining, trading and distribution.

Why Did Gold Become So Important?

The value of gold exports can rise quickly when international gold prices increase or when global demand for gold-related assets changes.

The Census Bureau reported that nonmonetary gold was one of the biggest contributors to the increase in U.S. goods exports in 2025, rising by $49.7 billion during the year.

This makes gold an unusually important part of the 2025 export story.

4. Civilian Aircraft Engines — About $75.8 Billion

America's aerospace industry is another major source of high-value exports.

Civilian aircraft engines ranked among the top U.S. export commodities in 2025, with exports of approximately $75.8 billion, equal to about 3.7% of goods exports.

The broader aerospace supply chain includes aircraft manufacturers, engine producers, parts suppliers, engineering companies and specialized manufacturers.

Important aerospace centers include Washington, Kansas, Ohio, California and South Carolina, although aerospace production is spread across many states.

Why Does It Matter?

Aircraft engines are not ordinary manufactured products. They require advanced engineering, precision manufacturing, specialized materials, testing and long-term maintenance networks.

The U.S. Census Bureau also reported that civilian aircraft engines were one of the major contributors to the increase in U.S. capital-goods exports in 2025, with exports increasing by about $12.6 billion.

This shows why aerospace remains an important part of America's advanced manufacturing sector.

5. Other Petroleum Products — About $73.8 Billion

Crude oil is not the only major energy export from the United States.

Other petroleum products, which include refined petroleum products and fuels, generated approximately $73.8 billion in exports in 2025, according to the commodity ranking.

These products can include fuels such as gasoline, diesel and other refined petroleum products.

Major refining and energy centers include Texas, Louisiana and California, with petroleum infrastructure also spread across other parts of the country.

Why Does It Matter?

The U.S. energy industry has a huge refining and transportation network connecting production areas with domestic consumers and international markets.

When crude oil and refined petroleum products are considered together, energy clearly represents one of the most important parts of America's merchandise export system.

But crude oil and refined petroleum should be counted separately when ranking individual commodities because they are different export categories

Why U.S. Exports Matter to the Economy

Exports support American businesses by giving them access to customers outside the United States.

They also support supply chains involving manufacturers, ports, transportation companies, engineers, technicians, farmers, energy workers and many other businesses.

State economies can benefit when major export industries create jobs, generate business activity and increase demand for infrastructure such as ports, railways, pipelines, airports and highways.

Texas is a good example of the connection between exports and state economic activity. Its energy industry contributed $27 billion in state and local taxes and state royalties during fiscal year 2025, according to the Texas Oil & Gas Association.

However, export revenue should not be described as money that goes directly to the federal government. Export sales belong to businesses and producers, while governments collect different taxes, royalties and fees depending on the activity.

Final Takeaway

The five biggest individual U.S. export commodities highlighted in 2025 show how diverse America's international trade really is.

Pharmaceuticals represent advanced life sciences.

Crude oil and petroleum products show the scale of America's energy industry.

Gold reflects global commodity and financial-market demand.

Aircraft engines demonstrate America's strength in advanced manufacturing and aerospace.

Together, these five commodities generated more than $450 billion in export value in 2025.

They are not the entire U.S. economy, but they provide a clear picture of why American manufacturing, energy, technology and natural resources remain important in global trade.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest U.S. export in 2025?

Among individual export commodities, pharmaceutical preparations ranked first at approximately $119.8 billion in 2025.

How much did the U.S. export in 2025?

The United States exported approximately $2.20 trillion in goods and $3.43 trillion in goods and services combined in 2025.

Is crude oil the biggest U.S. export?

No. Crude oil was one of the largest individual commodities, at about $99.7 billion, but pharmaceutical preparations ranked higher in 2025.

Which states are important for U.S. oil exports?

Texas is the country's leading oil-producing state, while New Mexico, North Dakota, Alaska and other states also play major roles in U.S. energy production.

Why are U.S. pharmaceutical exports so valuable?

Pharmaceuticals are high-value products supported by research, biotechnology, intellectual property and specialized manufacturing.

Why did U.S. gold exports rise so much in 2025?

Higher gold values and strong global demand contributed to a major increase in nonmonetary gold exports. The Census Bureau reported a $49.7 billion increase in this category during 2025.

Are exports the same as government revenue?

No. Export value is the value of goods sold internationally. Government revenue comes from taxes, royalties, fees and other sources and should not be treated as equal to total export value.

Disclaimer

This article is for general educational and informational purposes only. Trade figures can be revised by the U.S. Census Bureau and other government agencies. Export values, rankings and classifications can also differ depending on the trade-data system or product category being used. Always check the latest U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Economic Analysis or U.S. government data before using these figures for financial, business or investment decisions.