U.S. trade with Timor-Leste fell 4.94 percent through August

Timor-Leste’s trade with the United States decreased to $15.49 M through the first eight months of 2025, according to a WorldCity analysis of latest U.S. Census Bureau data. That’s 4.94 percent below its total trade during the same time period last year ago. U.S. exports to Timor-Leste increased 5.98 percent while U.S. imports from Timor-Leste fell 53.77 percent. The U.S. surplus with Timor-Leste was $12.73 M.

Through August, the top five among the nation’s airports, seaports and border crossings were No. 1 Port of Savannah, GA; No. 2 Port of Charleston; No. 3 Port of Virginia; No. 4 Port of New Orleans; and No. 5 Port of Mobile, AL. During the same period the previous year, the top five were No. 1 Port of Savannah, GA; No. 2 John F. Kennedy International Airport; No. 3 Port of Mobile, AL; No. 4 Port of Oakland, CA and No. 5 Port of Houston. In the current time period, the top five accounted for 77.65 percent of Timor-Leste’s U.S. trade.

Among those top five:

• Trade with No.1 Port of Savannah, GA rose 82.42 percent to $8.2 million.
  Exports rose 82.42 percent to $8.2 million. There were no imports.
• Trade with No.2 Port of Charleston rose 62.71 percent to $1.47 million.
  Exports rose 62.71 percent to $1.47 million. There were no imports.
• Trade with No.3 Port of Virginia rose 639.05 percent to $810,654.
  Exports rose 510.9 percent to $670,086. Imports totaled $140,568.
• Trade with No.4 Port of New Orleans totaled $785,897.
  Exports totaled $785,897. There were no imports.
• Trade with No.5 Port of Mobile, AL fell 39.86 percent to $763,282.
  Exports fell 39.86 percent to $763,282. There were no imports.

Timor-Leste ranked No. 197 among the United States’ top trade partners through the current period. In the same period one year ago, it ranked No. 198.

Meanwhile, total U.S. trade with the world increased to $3.75 T, up 6.87 percent compared to the same period last year. The nation’s exports climbed 3.86 percent to $1.43 T; imports climbed 8.81 percent to $2.32 T. The nation’s top five countries so far this year, by value, are Mexico; Canada; China; Switzerland and Germany. The overall trade deficit was $892.21 B, up compared to the same period of last year when the deficit was $757.53 B.

The top five U.S. exports to Timor-Leste by value through August were the categories of Chicken and other poultry; Passenger vehicles; Low-value shipments; Civilian aircraft, parts; and Rice, respectively. They accounted for 92.72 percent of total exports to Timor-Leste.

The value of the top five categories of U.S. imports from Timor-Leste –– Coffee; Estimates of low-value imports; Misc. plastic articles; Catalytic converters, air, oil filters; and Jewelry, parts –– accounted for 99.48 percent of all inbound shipments.

Looking more closely at U.S. exports to Timor-Leste:

• Chicken and other poultry rose 70.95 percent compared to last year to $12.13 million.
• Passenger vehicles fell 84.55 percent compared to last year to $257,348.
• Low-value shipments rose 6.48 percent compared to last year to $241,852.
• Civilian aircraft, parts rose 729.3 percent compared to last year to $241,326.
• Rice fell 5.32 percent compared to last year to $208,314.

Looking more closely at U.S. imports from Timor-Leste:

• Coffee fell 36.69 percent compared to last year to $1.34 million.
• Estimates of low-value imports fell 43.36 percent compared to last year to $12,400.
• Misc. plastic articles totaled $7,919. The previous year, there were no import in this category.
• Catalytic converters, air, oil filters totaled $7,082. The previous year, there were no import in this category.
• Jewelry, parts fell 3.85 percent compared to last year to $5,562.

In the latest annual figures available, Timor-Leste recorded $24.93 M in trade with the United States. Total U.S. exports to Timor-Leste were $ 19.02 M and imports from Timor-Leste were $5.91 M. The U.S. surplus with Timor-Leste was $13.11 M.