China’s share of U.S. imports has been declining sharply over the past six years. The all time high was 21.6% in 2017. The first four months of 2023 fell to 13.3%. That’s a 38% decline in import share over the past 6 years. If annualized at 13.3%, 2023 would be the lowest level since 2004. The decline is largely due to rising trade frictions over the same period, under both the Trump and Biden Administrations.

Chinese import share decline from 16.5% (first four months of 2022) down to 13.3% (same period in 2023), a 19% drop, and was broad-based. 86 of 98 categories declined in the first four months of 2023 compared to the same period, last year.

The top five categories of Chinese imports are:

• Electrical machinery and parts
• Nuclear energy equipment
• Toys, games, & sporting goods
• Furniture & lighting fixtures
• Plastics

These top 5 categories combined declined from almost $110 billion in January-April, 2022 to $84 billion for that period this year, a 24% drop. Those top 5 categories combined comprise more than half of Chinese imports, in both periods.

Most of China’s lost import share was taken by India, Singapore, Europe, and the Americas. Read the full story in Politico here.

David Shiller

David Shiller is the Publisher of LightNOW, and President of Lighting Solution Development, a North American consulting firm providing business development services to advanced lighting manufacturers. The ALA awarded David the Pillar of the Industry Award. David has co-chaired ALA’s Engineering Committee since 2010. David established MaxLite’s OEM component sales into a multi-million dollar division. He invented GU24 lamps while leading ENERGY STAR lighting programs for the US EPA. David has been published in leading lighting publications, including LD+A, enLIGHTenment Magazine, LEDs Magazine, and more.

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