The US and China are both the two largest economies and the two largest importers in the world. The US is the largest importer in 55 out of 100 categories of goods; China leads in 16. No other country is the principal importer across such a variety of goods.
But the two countries’ shopping lists vary hugely. Aside from oil and some machinery and tools, the consumption-led US economy is characterised by its imports of consumer goods such as books, toys, cars and bicycles, works of art, furniture, carpets, cosmetics, beverages and pharmaceuticals.
China relies on imports mainly to feed its industries rather than its population and is currently the leading export destination for copper, ores, nickel, wood pulp, cotton, wool and other fibres and fabrics.