Timor-Leste

A recent highlight of U.S. engagement with Timor-Leste took place on February 26, 2009 when President Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste called on USTR for a wide-ranging discussion of bilateral trade relations and Timor-Leste's development initiatives.

Shortly before the meeting, the United States and Timor-Leste had agreed through an exchange of letters on a handicraft certification agreement that will make certified hand-loomed and folklore textile articles from Timor-Leste eligible for GSP duty-free tariff treatment.

In 2007, Timor-Leste was designated as a least developed beneficiary developing country (LDBDC) under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program.

U.S.-Timor Leste Trade Facts

Timor-Leste is currently our 205th largest goods trading partner with $8 million in total (two way) goods trade during 2011. Goods exports totaled $8 million; There were no goods imports. The U.S. goods trade surplus with Timor-Leste was $8 million.

Exports

Timor-Leste was the United States' 200th largest goods export market in 2011.

U.S. goods exports to Timor-Leste in 2011 were $8 million, up 88.3% ($4 million) from 2010.

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2011 were: Cereals (rice) ($6 million), Fish and Seafood (lobster) ($365 thousand), Miscellaneous Chemical Products ($292 thousand), Vehicles ($266 thousand), and Rubber ($212 thousand).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to East Timor totaled $6 million in 2011.

Imports

There were no goods imports in 2011.

There were no agriculture imports in 2011.

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade surplus with Timor-Leste was $8 million in 2011, a 87.7% increase ($4 million) from 2010.

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Timor-Leste (stock) was not available in 2010.

Timor-Leste FDI in the United States (stock) was not available in 2010.

*NOTE: No services trade data with Timor-Leste is available.