Using Value-Added Trade Estimates, We Have a +$32.25 Trade SURPLUS with China for 2011

Using Value-Added Trade Estimates, We Have a +$32.25 Trade SURPLUS with China for 2011.

According to research at the San Francisco Federal Reserve, 36% of the value of imported goods goes to U.S. companies and workers, and for Chinese imports it’s much higher: the U.S. content of “Made in China” is close to 55%. Reason? The SF Fed explains:

“The fact that the U.S. content of Chinese goods is much higher than for imports as a whole is mainly due to higher retail and wholesale margins on consumer electronics and clothing than on most other goods and services.”

The iPhones imported from China help illustrate this – of the $600 retail price of an iPhone that is imported and “assembled in China,” more than 60% goes directly to Apple and other American companies.

And there you go.

Author: KB French

Formerly many things, including theology student, mime, jr. high Latin teacher, and Army logistics officer. Currently in the National Guard, and employed as a civilian... somewhere View all posts by KB French