California, despite the current uncertainty around last year’s tariffs, remained a top exporting state in 2025, according to trade statistics released in February by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The trade statistics show that California exported $188.4 billion worth of goods to the world in 2025 — up from $183.93 billion in 2024. Overall, imports from the world to California were down slightly in 2025 to $488.22 billion worth of goods, from $491.47 billion in 2024.
The result is that total California goods trade is up to $676.62 billion in 2025, a 0.1% increase from $675.40 in 2024 — and the California goods deficit declined by $7.72 billion.
As usual, computer and electronic products made up the bulk of California exports.
U.S. Trade Overview
The total U.S. trade deficit in goods and services fell slightly in 2025 by $2.1 billion (0.2%) to a total of $901.5 billion, compared to $903.5 billion in 2024.
While the overall deficit barely moved, the goods deficit increased by 2.1% to $1.24 trillion as the United States exported a total of $2.18 trillion in goods around the world and imported $3.42 trillion. Total goods trade equaled $5.6 trillion — which was an overall yearly increase of nearly 5%.
The services surplus grew by 8.9% to $339.5 billion.
The top U.S. trading partners in 2025 were Mexico, Canada, China, Taiwan, and Germany.
Trade between Canada and the United States fell 6.44% and trade between China and the U.S. showed a sharp decrease of almost 29%, mostly due to the ongoing trade wars.
In 2025, the United States had trade deficits with 97 countries and surpluses with 136.
California Export Markets
California’s top five goods export markets, in order were: Mexico, Canada, Taiwan, Japan, and China.
South Korea followed in sixth place, with the Netherlands in seventh, Germany in eighth, the United Kingdom in ninth, and Singapore in 10th place (beating Malaysia and Hong Kong).
- Goods exports from California to Mexico increased from $33.47 billion in 2024 to $34.91 billion in 2025, maintaining the country’s spot as California’s top export partner.
- Canada remained California’s second largest export destination with $16.96 billion worth of goods; however, exports to Canada decreased from $19.49 billion in 2024.
- Taiwan became California’s third largest export partner as exports grew significantly, from $9.56 billion in 2024 to $14.3 billion in 2025.
- Exports from California to Japan totaled $11.01 billion in 2025, an increase from $10.87 billion in 2024.
- California exports to China totaled $10.27 billion in 2025, a decrease from $15.03 billion in 2024.
- South Korea exports totaled $9.29 billion of California goods, up from $8.75 billion in 2024.
- Exports from California to the Netherlands totaled $8.39 billion in 2025, up from $7.31 billion in 2024.
- Exports from California to Germany totaled $5.95 billion in 2025, a decrease from the 2024 figure of $6.18 billion.
- The United Kingdom became California’s ninth largest export partner in 2025, with $5.61 billion worth of exports, a rise from its 2024 total of $4.94 billion.
- Singapore became California’s 10th ranked export market with a 2025 total of $5.26 billion, a small increase from $5.15 billion in 2024. This shift is due largely a drop in exports to Malaysia and Hong Kong.
California Imports
In 2025, California imported $488.22 billion in goods. China was the source of $75.94 billion of these goods — down from $122.79 billion the previous year.
- Imports from Taiwan were up to $63.47 billion in 2025 from $40.47 billion in 2024.
- Mexico imports decreased to $61.56 billion in 2025 from $64.27 billion in 2024.
- Vietnamese imports to California increased to $56732 billion from $38.46 billion the previous year.
- South Korea also sent fewer goods to California in 2025 — $29.48 billion, down from $30.87 billion the previous year.
- Japan sent more goods to California in 2025 — $28.92 billion, up from $27.65 billion in 2024.
- Imports from Thailand to California increased to $20.56 billion from $15.14 billion the previous year.
- Imports from Canada to California were down, totaling $15.43 billion in 2024 compared to $16.26 billion in 2024.
- German goods sent to California in 2025 decreased to $12.8 billion from $14.37 billion in 2024.
- Imports from Malaysia to California also were down slightly, with 2025 imports totaling $12.3 billion versus $12.36 billion in 2024.
Export Commodities
Exports in California’s top category, computer and electronic products, increased from $47.81 billion in 2024 to $54.28 billion in 2025.
Nonelectrical machinery exports decreased from $18.42 billion in 2024 to $17.33 billion in 2025. Exports of chemicals ($17.20 billion) and transportation equipment ($17.09 billion) increased in 2025.
Agricultural products increased as well, from $14.95 billion in 2024 to $15.94 billion in 2025.
Import Commodities
The top import category for California in 2025 was computer and electronic products at $176.22 billion. Other top imports to the Golden State included transportation equipment, electrical equipment, nonelectrical machinery, and miscellaneous manufactures.
CalChamber Position
California is one of the 10 largest economies in the world. Since moving up in 2024, California has ranked as the fourth largest economy in the world. Numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis show the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) is nearly $4.3 trillion.
International trade and investment are major parts of our economic engine that broadly benefit businesses, communities, consumers and state government.
California’s economy is diverse, and the state’s prosperity is tied to exports and imports of both goods and services by California-based companies, to exports and imports through California’s transportation gateways, and to movement of human and capital resources.
Although trade is a nationally determined policy issue, its impact on California is immense. California exports to more than 225 foreign markets. Trade offers the opportunity to expand the role of California’s exports. In its broadest terms, trade can literally feed the world and raise the living standards of those around us.
The California Chamber of Commerce supports expansion of international trade and investment, fair and equitable market access for California products abroad, and elimination of disincentives that impede the international competitiveness of California business.
