|
Seattle is the closest seaport in the United States to both Asia and Alaska. Its location makes the city a prime gateway for shipping, cruise passengers and tourists. In addition to Asia, many other countries are found among the list of Seattle’s top twenty trade partners. Washington State was ranked first (2005) in the United States in terms of exports per capita with a total of $8,384.
The total value of the state’s exports totaled approximately $37.9 billion (does not include computer software, architectural and engineering design or other professional services) and approximately $52 billion for all products. Nearly three-quarters of the state’s exports are from the central Puget Sound region.
About 70% of the port’s containerized cargo originates in or destined for regions or country outside the Pacific Northwest. Thus, while the state represents 2% of the nation’s population, its ports handle 7% of all U.S. exports and receive a 6% share of the nation’s imports. Furthermore, international trade creates many different job opportunities for Puget Sound’s residents.
Approximately one out of three jobs in our local economy is related to international trade.
| |
Top 10 Trading Partners
|
Country
|
US $$$ (billions)
|
Country
|
US $$$ (billions)
|
| All Countries |
$37.948 |
|
|
| 1. Japan |
$6.37 |
6. Korea |
$1.79 |
| 2. Canada |
$5.20 |
7. United Arab Emirates |
$1.52 |
| 3. China |
$5.09 |
8. Singapore |
$1.24 |
| 4. Taiwan (China) |
$3.12 |
9. France |
$0.98 |
| 5. Ireland |
$1.85 |
10. Australia |
$0.96 |
|
 |
|
Seattle is the sister city to 21 other cities around
the world - which makes it the second largest
sister city program in the United States.
|
|
| |
Top 10 Exports by Industry Sector
| Industry |
US Dollars (in billions) |
|
1. Aircraft, Spacecraft and Parts
|
$19.93
|
|
2. Industrial Machinery, including Computers
|
$2.01
|
|
3. Oil Seeds, etc., Misc. Grain, Seed Fruit
|
$1.77
|
|
4. Cereals
|
$1.68
|
|
5. Electrical Machinery, Sound Equipment, TV Equipment, Parts
|
$1.65
|
|
6. Optic, Photo etc., Medical or Surgical
|
$1.19
|
|
7. Mineral Fuel and Oil
|
$1.13
|
|
8. Wood and Articles of Wood
|
$0.81
|
|
9. Paper and Paperboard
|
$0.75
|
|
10. Edible Fruits and Nuts
|
$0.65
|
|
All Industries
|
$37.948
|
|
Seattle’s Sister Cities
| Kobe, Japan (1957) |
Reykjavik, Iceland (1986) |
| Bergen, Norway (1967) |
Daejon, Korea (1989) |
|
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (1973)
|
Kaohsiung, Taiwan (1991)
|
| Beer Sheva, Israel (1973) |
Pecs, Hungary (1991) |
| Mazatlan, Mexico (1979) |
Cebu, Philippines (1991) |
| Nantes, France (1980) |
Perugia, Italy (1991) |
| Christchurch, New Zealand (1981) |
Surabaya, Indonesia (1992) |
| Mombasa, Kenya (1981) |
Gdynia, Poland (1993) |
| Chongqing, China (1983) |
Haiphong, Vietnam (1996) |
|
Limbe, Cameroon (1984)
|
Sihanoukville, Cambodia (1999) |
|
Galway, Ireland (1986)
|
|
|
For more information, contact:
Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle
Washington State Community, Trade and Economic Development - International Trade Division
Port of Seattle
International Trade Fact Sheet (PDF printable format)
|
