Democratic Republic of Congo

AGOA Status: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DROC) is not eligible for AGOA this year.

Trade Agreements: The U.S. and DROC have a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). It was signed in 1984 and entered into force in 1989. DROC is also a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), with which the U.S. has a Trade & Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).

Special Initiatives: Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ("Dodd-Frank") instructs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in consultation with the Department of State, to promulgate regulations requiring, in part, certain companies to submit annually a description of the measures taken to exercise due diligence on the source and chain of custody of "conflict minerals."

U.S.-Democratic Republic of Congo Trade Facts

Democratic Republic of Congo is currently our 105th largest goods trading partner with $620.9 million in total (exports plus imports) goods trade during 2010. Goods exports totaled $93.3 million; Goods imports totaled $527.6 million. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Democratic Republic of Congo was $434.4 million in 2010.

Exports

Democratic Republic of Congo was the United States' 147th largest goods export market in 2010.

U.S. goods exports to Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010 were $93.3 million, up 17% from 2009.

The top export categories (2-digit HS) for 2010 were: Meat ($23.2 million), Machinery ($16.7 million), Electrical Machinery ($10.2 million), Special Other ($7.6 million), and Miscellaneous Textile Articles ($6.8 million).

Imports

Democratic Republic of Congo was the United States' 86th largest supplier of goods imports in 2010.

U.S. goods imports from Democratic Republic of Congo totaled $527.6 million in 2010, a 60% increase from 2009.

The top import category (2-digit HS) for 2009 was: Mineral Fuel (oil) ($504 million), accounting for 95% of all U.S. imports, Precious Stones, Metals ($8.5 million), and Art and Antiques ($6.1 million).

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade deficit with Democratic Republic of Congo was $434.4 million in 2010, 73% more than in 2009.