What are USA’s Top Ten Manufactured Exports?

We learned with painful social and economic clarity in the great recession of 2008-2009 that it is demand, and not supply, that drives our economy.

So what are the top 10 demanded U.S. manufactured exports?

1. Transportation Equipment
2. Chemicals
3. Machinery
4. Computer and Electronic Products
5. Petroleum and Coal Products
6. Food
7. Primary Metal
8. Medical Equipment, Sporting Goods, and Miscellaneous
9. Fabricated Metal Products
10. Electrical Equipment

(source: Brookings EXPORT NATION 2012)

Here is what the report had to say about Manufacturing:

"Manufacturing comprised the majority of U.S. exports in 2010. While on a declining trend as a share of U.S. exports, manufacturing has seen a comeback in the first year of recovery. About 61 percent of U.S. exports, manufacturing industries produced three-quarters of the additional U.S. sales abroad between 2009 and 2010. The sector's sales abroad increased by 14.5 percent and expanded faster than U.S. exports overall. Machinery, transportation equipment, and chemicals delivered one-half of manufacturing exports growth."

"Manufacturing contributed disproportionately to export recovery in the large metros (metropolitan areas). While manufacturing accounted for 59 percent of the exports sold by industries located in the large metros in 2010, it delivered almost 76 percent of the exports growth in these metros. Midwestern metros illustrated this trend, with 85 percent of their exports growth generated by manufacturing industries."

"Manufacturing industries delivered the majority of export sales growth in 94 out of the largest 100 metros in 2010."

Here are the facts on US Manufactured Goods Exports. Where do you fit in?

Precision machining companies produce components that are key to functionality of transportation equipment, machinery, computers and electronic products, medical equipment, and electrical equipment.

Our parts are used to harvest, process, and package food, and to produce and refine petroleum and coal products.

We are a sub-industry of Fabricated Metals- number 9 on the list.

What are USA's Top 10 Manufactured Exports?

They are all items that would not be exportable if it were not for the role of our precision machined products.

Why does manufacturing - especially precision machined manufacturing- matter?

Ask an economist.

Or look at exports.

Recession photo