The USA’s $1.1 trillion deficit is four times larger than India’s trade deficit

Key takeaways

  • The United States leads with a massive $1.1 trillion in trade deficit, over four times larger than India's $245.5 billion deficit
  • India and the United Kingdom follow, each exceeding $230 billion in trade deficits, reflecting high import reliance
  • The USA’s trade imbalance alone surpasses the combined deficits of the other nine countries on this list
  • Six of the top ten countries with the largest deficits are European economies

Global trade deficits vary widely, with the United States standing out at $1.1 trillion, more than four times larger than India’s $245.5 billion deficit. The USA’s trade deficit alone exceeds the combined deficits of the remaining nine countries, underscoring its high import consumption. The UK follows closely behind India with a $233.1 billion deficit, highlighting a reliance on imports. Japan, Spain, Greece, and Romania maintain deficits below $50 billion in a list dominated by European economies.

Source:

World Bank

Period:

2023
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Despite Trump tariffs, US imports from Africa surged 24% to $23.4B in H1 2025
  • US imports from Africa grew 23.9% year-on-year to $23.4 billion in H1 2025.
  • South Africa drove much of the growth, with exports surging 52.2% to $9.5 billion.
  • Nigeria recorded a 12.1% decline in exports to the US, falling to $2.8 billion.
  • Algeria also posted a contraction, with exports dropping 13.5% to $1.1 billion.
  • Egypt’s exports increased 14.8%.
  • Other African countries collectively expanded exports by 23.5% to $8.6 billion.
  • Africa’s trade growth with the US continues despite tariff barriers, showing resilience.

US trade deficit with South Africa nearly doubled to $6.3 billion in H1 2025
  • US imports from Africa jumped 24% to $23.4 billion in H1 2025 despite tariffs.
  • Egypt led gains, doubling its surplus with the US to $2.73 billion.
  • Nigeria swung into a $576 million surplus, reversing last year’s deficit.
  • South Africa’s deficit with the US nearly doubled to $6.32 billion, dragging the overall balance.

US trade deficit with South Africa nearly doubled to $6.3 billion in H1 2025
  • US imports from Africa jumped 24% to $23.4 billion in H1 2025 despite tariffs.
  • Egypt led gains, doubling its surplus with the US to $2.73 billion.
  • Nigeria swung into a $576 million surplus, reversing last year’s deficit.
  • South Africa’s deficit with the US nearly doubled to $6.32 billion, dragging the overall balance.

46 African countries get more than 60% of their export earnings from raw goods, with South Sudan leading with 99.5%
  • More than 60% of the countries in Africa are commodity-dependent.
  • South Sudan leads the list with 99.5%.
  • Nigeria’s commodity export dependence is 96.3%, dominated by energy (89.7%), followed by agriculture (4.0%) and mining (2.6%).
  • Africa alone accounts for nearly 47% of all commodity dependent countries globally.

Only 8 African countries get less than 60% of their export earnings from raw goods, with Tunisia leading at 21.5%
  • Of the 54 African countries, 46 earn more than 60% of export revenues from raw goods.
  • Algeria, Morocco, Eswatini, Lesotho, Djibouti, Mauritius, Comoros, and Egypt stand out with less than 60%.
  • Algeria and Morocco are the least dependent, pointing to stronger industrial and trade sectors.
  • Lower dependence means greater economic stability, while high reliance exposes countries to volatile global commodity markets.

Ghana’s exports
  • Gold bullion dominates exports, contributing ¢163.0B (55.3%) of total exports.

  • Petroleum oils follow distantly at ¢52.6B (17.8%).

  • Cocoa (beans, paste, butter) remains a vital sector, collectively worth ¢24.7B (8.4%).

  • Manganese, cashew, tuna, iron/steel, and shea oil are niche contributors, each under 2% of exports.

  • All other products still make up a significant 14.4% (¢42.4B), showing potential for export diversification.

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