What Exactly do Canada and the U.S. Buy from Each Other?

It’s no surprise to most that Canada is the United States’ top trading partner, with almost $1.7 billion in goods crossing the border each day. But what exactly are U.S. businesses sending to Canada? And what are U.S. businesses and consumers purchasing from our northern neighbor?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, which tracks imports and exports, top sales to Canada through October 2013 included:

Product Category Value (in billions)
Transportation Equipment $54.01
Machinery, except Electrical $27.29
Chemicals $25.51
Computer & Electronic Products $22.28
Food and Kindred Products $12.50
Petroleum & Coal Products $12.18
Primary Metal Mfg. $12.07
Fabricated Metal Products $10.68

Top purchases from Canada included:

Product Category Value (in billions)
Oil & Gas $73.53
Transportation Equipment $56.58
Chemicals $22.11
Primary Metal Mfg. $18.70
Petroleum & Coal Products $15.70
Food and Kindred Products $11.79
Machinery, except Electrical $11.37
Paper $8.42