America’s top 15 suppliers of cars in 2017 generated 98.6% of US purchases from foreign markets, with almost three-quarters (64.1%) of the overall value coming from Canada, Japan and Mexico.

1. Canada: US$43.8 billion (24.4% of total US imported cars)
2. Japan: $40.7 billion (22.7%)
3. Mexico: $30.6 billion (17%)
4. Germany: $20.8 billion (11.6%)
5. South Korea: $16.1 billion (9%)
6. United Kingdom: $8.8 billion (4.9%)
7. Italy: $5.1 billion (2.8%)
8. Sweden: $2.2 billion (1.2%)
9. Slovakia: $2 billion (1.1%)
10. China: $1.8 billion (1%)
11. Hungary: $1.22 billion (0.7%)
12. Finland: $1.17 billion (0.7%)
13. South Africa: $1.1 billion (0.6%)
14. Turkey: $911.8 million (0.5%)
15. Spain: $816.9 million (0.5%)

Fastest-growing among these top suppliers were Finland (up 11,883% from 2013), Spain (up 4,572%) and China (up 1,759%).

There were two top decliners over the 5-year period, namely South Africa (down -50.4%) and Germany (down -19.8%).

America’s three leading providers grew their sales of cars to the US albeit at varying levels: Canada (up 0.1%), Japan (up 4.9%) and Mexico (up 49.4%).

America is a key producer and seller of its own cars on international markets. In 2017, the United States shipped $53.6 billion worth of cars to its trade partners. Still, American revenues from its exported cars are far less than a third of the $179.6 billion that the US spent on imported cars.

Overall, the US product category trade deficit for cars was -$126 billion. That amount of red ink reflects a 28.3% increase from -$98.2 billion during 2013.

Below you will find the 15 countries that caused America’s highest negative subtotals from buying and selling cars on international markets in 2017.

1. Japan: -US$40.1 billion (product deficit up 5.5% since 2013)
2. Canada: -$28.9 billion (down -2.3%)
3. Mexico: -$27.4 billion (up 64%)
4. Germany: -$14.7 billion (down -29.6%)
5. South Korea: -$14.5 billion (up 24.2%)
6. United Kingdom: -$6.9 billion (up 90.5%)
7. Italy: -$4.9 billion (up 266.5%)
8. Sweden: -$2.04 billion (up 245.6%)
9. Slovakia: -$1.99 billion (up 123.2%)
10. Hungary: -$1.19 billion (up 221.1%)
11. Finland: -$1.13 billion (reversing a $259.4 million surplus)
12. South Africa: -$987.9 million (down -48%)
13. Turkey: -$852.2 million (reversing a $29.6 million surplus)
14. Spain: -$741.8 million (reversing a $40 million surplus)
15. Netherlands: -$321.9 million (reversing a $308.5 million surplus)

American trade deficits for cars from its leading suppliers widened at the fastest pace from 2013 to 2017 with Italy (up 266.5%), Sweden (up 245.6%), Hungary (up 221.1%), Slovakia (up 123.2%) and the United Kingdom (up 90.5%).

The US was able to reduce the size of its negative trade balances with South Africa (down -48%), Germany (down -29.6%) and top automobile supplier Canada (down -2.3%).

The United States did earn surpluses from the global car trade with 170+ other countries, islands or territories.

Most importantly, America captured $19.5-billion in positive cashflow during 2017 from buying and selling cars with the following 15 countries.

1. China: US$8.8 billion (product surplus up 3.7% since 2013)
2. United Arab Emirates: $1.7 billion (down -38.1%)
3. Saudi Arabia: $1.63 billion (down -66%)
4. Australia: $1.61 billion (up 15.9%)
5. Kuwait: $498.5 million (down -48.7%)
6. Norway: $483.5 million (up 127.2%)
7. Jordan: $420.1 million (down -27.9%)
8. Chile: $380.5 million (down -30.3%)
9. Hong Kong: $358.8 million (up 50.8%)
10. Nigeria: $352.8 million (down -67.5%)
11. Dominican Republic: $319.1 million (up 23.6%)
12. New Zealand: $275.7 million (up 109.1%)
13. Lebanon: $250 million (down -14%)
14. Oman: $246.7 million (down -32.8%)
15. Switzerland: $246 million (up 52.9%)

The US grew its individual trade surpluses at the fastest rates at the expense of Norway (up 127.2%), New Zealand (up 109.1%), Switzerland (up 52.9%), Hong Kong (up 50.8%) and the Dominican Republic (up 23.6%).

In contrast, American surplus from buying and selling cars shrank the most over the 5-year period with: Nigeria (down -67.5%), Saudi Arabia (down -66%), Kuwait (down -48.7%), United Arab Emirates (down -38.1%) then Oman (down -32.8%).