These Items Might Just Cost You More Now
Not long into 2025, the United States entered a trade war with Canada and Mexico. In fact, the US has imposed some hefty tariffs on numerous imported goods coming into the country from Canada, Mexico—and even China.
What does this mean? It means you’re going to want to start saving your cash.
Imports Explained
The thing about tariffs on imports is that it is not the other country that pays the tax—it’s us. The American companies who import those goods into the country to sell them are the ones who pay the tariffs. And when that happens, they pass that cost onto consumers by hiking up the prices.
It’s how the consumers respond that makes tariffs so powerful.
Consumer Reactions
When consumers are faced with suddenly higher prices, they begin to look for more affordable alternatives—which usually tends to be items that were made in the country. This means that the exporting country may lose sales, which in turn hurts their economy. At the same time, our own economy faces challenges with rising prices.
So, just how many goods will be affected by this trade war?
2024 Stats
According to the Census Bureau's latest report on international trade, just last year in 2024, Canada, Mexico, and China accounted for 36.5% of all US imports. That year, more than $2.5 trillion in goods and services moved between the US and China, Canada, and Mexico.
Now, let's get more specific.
United States Census Bureau, Wikimedia Commons
What Are These Goods?
While there’s so much more that goes into tariffs and trade wars, we’re here to take a look at the top goods that the US imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. And while there is no way to tell what will happen with the trade war, it certainly doesn’t hurt to be aware.
Here are 25 of the United States’ top imported goods from Canada, Mexico, and China—and how much they cost before the 2025 tariffs.
Fruits And Vegetables
Mexico and Canada are the first and second largest agricultural exporters to the United States. According to the United States Economic Research Service, those two countries averaged $41.6 billion and $35.0 billion annually in 2020 to 2024, respectively.
In 2023, Mexico supplied 63% of US vegetable imports and 47% of fruit and nut imports to the US.
Automobiles
In 2023, for the first time in over two decades, Mexico surpassed China as the leading source of goods imported to the US.
Most of this was due to Mexico’s booming auto industry. The US imports a large number of passenger vehicles, trucks, and even car parts from Mexico. So, even US made vehicles will need Mexican-made parts. Last year, the cost of vehicles and car parts accounted for $130 billion worth of US imports from Mexico.
The cost of vehicles—both imported and US made—can be significantly affected by trade relationships.
Smartphones
It’s no secret that the United States’ major imports from China are technological. Smartphones and laptops are the biggest ones.
In 2024, the US imported nearly $45 billion worth of smartphones from China—which was over 75% of total US smartphone imports.
Batteries
Since 2017, China’s share in US battery imports has increased. In 2023, the US brought in $13.1 billion worth of lithium-ion batteries from China.
When it comes to electric vehicles and energy storage, the US is heavily reliant on lithium-ion batteries, and a disruption in the supply chain may just hurt a little.
Toys
Believe it or not, even toys are affected by trade relationships. In 2023, the US imported over $42 billion worth of toys, games, and sporting goods—75% of which came from China.
According to The Toy Association and the CTJPA, nearly 80% of the toys in the US market in 2024 were supplied by China.
Crude Oil
Crude oil, also known as petroleum, is extracted from the ground and then refined into products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. It is a natural resource—and Canada has a lot of it.
In fact, Canada is the fourth largest oil producer in the world, and considering they’re not far, the US gets about 60% of our crude oil from Canada. In 2023, the US imported almost 3.9 million barrels of crude oil per day from Canada.
Also, Canada is the fifth largest producer of natural gas, exporting almost half of its supply to the US in 2024.
Shhewitt, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Machinery
Another major import from Canada is machinery. While this can include a long list of goods, about $6.10 billion worth of turbo-jets, turbo-propellers, and other gas turbines were imported from Canada in 2024.
Several more billions of dollars were spent on engines, derricks, cranes, lifts, and other machinery and parts.
Lumber
Another Canadian good the US is dependent on is lumber, especially for American homebuilders. According to Chuck Fowke, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, “There is no getting around the fact that the US must rely on Canada to fully meet its lumber needs”.
He went on to point out that about 30% of US lumber was imported—with 85% of that being from Canada.
Sheila1988, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Medical Instruments
Medical supplies, like disposable catheters, surgical equipment, diagnostic equipment, electronic monitor devices, and even implants and prosthetics are regularly imported to the US from Mexico.
In 2023, roughly $11.8 billion worth of medical instruments were brought in from Mexico. That same year, the US imported another $14.5 billion in medical equipment from China.
Alcohol
In 2024, the US imported approximately $13.14 billion worth of beverages, spirits, and vinegar from Mexico. This included $5.2 billion worth of tequila, and $93 million worth of mezcal. Around 80% of beer coming into the US is also from Mexico.
Let’s not forget Canada. In 2024, the US imported $629.35 million worth of hard liquor from Canada.
Furniture
Believe it or not, a whole lot of furniture is imported to the US as well—mostly from China. According to Statista, in 2023, the US imported over $20 billion worth of furniture from China.
And not far behind was Mexico, with roughly $2.46 billion worth.
Textiles
Textiles refers to things like clothing, towels, bedding, shoes, and even artwork. In 2023, the US imported approximately $36.1 billion worth of textiles from China. While this is still a lot, it is significantly less than the $50.3 billion imported in 2021.
The US also imports textiles from Vietnam and India.
Chemicals
While specific numbers regarding chemical imports from China are hard to find, according to Global Trade Specialists, the US imports a “significant amount of chemicals” from China. In 2022, China was among the top five partner countries for US chemical imports.
Also, on that list—Canada. In 2023, the United States imported $25.3 billion worth of chemical products from Canada.
Plastics
According to the Plastics Industry Association, in 2023, the US imported $14.2 billion worth of plastic products from Canada. But even more came from China, at $20.8 billion. Let’s not forget Mexico, who accounted for $7.90 billion that same year.
While these countries supply the US with the most, other plastic sources include Germany, South Korea, and the UK.
Raw Aluminum
Raw aluminum is used when manufacturing a variety of things from soda cans to automobiles. Over half of the US’s aluminum consumption is supplied from Canada. In fact, Canada supplies almost 3 million metric tons of the total 5 million metric tons used by the US each year—making the US heavily reliant on Canadian aluminum.
Mineral Oils
Mineral fuels and mineral oils are essential commodities to the US, and in 2024, the US imported about $16.85 billion worth from Mexico. That’s nothing though, compared to the $125 billion worth that is imported from Canada.
Mineral oils are commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products, mechanical lubricants, pharmaceuticals, and even some food products.
Nuclear Reactors
Nuclear reactors and related machinery are among the top imports to the US from Mexico, with a value of $81.61 billion in 2023. These reactors are used in various industries, including power generation and healthcare.
And while Canada does not supply the US with reactors, the US does import a significant amount of uranium from Canada. In 2022, Canada provided the US with 27% of the uranium used by American nuclear reactors.
Electrical Appliances
Many household appliances, like stoves, refrigerators, washing machines, and more, are also imported to the US from Mexico. In 2023, the United States imported $118.1 billion worth of electrical equipment and appliances from Mexico.
In 2022, the US imported $9.7 billion worth of household appliances alone, from Mexico.
Glassware
According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, the US imported $2.98 billion worth of glass and glassware from China in 2024. This included glassware used in the kitchen, décor, mirrors, safety glasses, and other glass containers.
China isn't the only country supplying glass to the US, though. In 2023, the US imported $1.92 billion worth of glassware from Mexico—who is their second largest supplier after China.
Printed products, such as books, newspapers, and pictures are also imported to the US from China. In 2024, over $2.37 billion worth of print was imported. This number is only slightly down from $2.7 billion in 2022.
Human Hair
Believe it or not, the US imports human hair from China—$2.2 billion worth of it in 2024, to be exact. Human hair is primarily used for making wigs and hair extensions—something the US has a vast market for. Apparently, the Black hair care market alone is estimated to be worth billions on its own.
Essential Oils
Another trendy product that is largely imported to the US is essential oils. In 2024, the US imported $139 million worth of essential oils from Mexico. An additional $94 million worth came from China, as well as some other countries.
Although the US also exports essential oils, they remain a major importer globally, with imports valued at $1.2 billion in 2024.
Hats
Just like textiles, hats are made abroad and imported into the US, mostly from China. According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, the US imported about $1.15 billion worth of hats in 2024.
Food
Fruits and vegetables aren’t the only food that Mexico supplies the US with. In 2023, the US imported over $44 billion worth of food products from Mexico alone. This includes both fruits and vegetables, as well as processed snack foods.
Also in 2023, the US imported $29.2 billion worth of processed food from Canada, and an additional $4.03 billion from China.
Aleksandar Malivuk, Shutterstock
Arms
Arms and ammunition are another thing the US imports from other countries. In 2023, the US imported about $53.37 million worth of arms from China.
They also imported $84.65 million from Mexico in 2024, and $142.13 million worth of explosives, grenades, torpedoes and mines from Canada.
Total Imports
In 2024, the top three import countries for the US were Mexico, China, and Canada, with Mexico being the largest trading partner, followed by China and then Canada.
Total imports from Mexico in 2024 reached a whopping $505.85 billion. China wasn’t far behind with US imports totaling $462.62 billion, and Canada at $421.21 billion.
Final Thoughts
While the US does have other trading partners across the globe, burning certain bridges has the potential to seriously hurt economic growth and security.
You May Also Like:
Why Americans Are Leaving California
Items Middle Class Americans Can No Longer Afford
18 Items That Are Expensive in America but Cheap Everywhere Else
