Brunei Darussalam

The United States and Brunei meet regularly under a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement to address a range of bilateral issues and to coordinate on WTO, ASEAN, and APEC initiatives. Intellectual property rights (IPR) continues to be a major focus of current U.S. engagement with Brunei.

In June 2008, the United States cosponsored an IPR workshop in Bandar Seri Begawan to discuss best practices in effective enforcement and to foster improved dialogue between rights holders and Brunei enforcement officials. In the past few months, the government of Brunei has launched raids on some of the infringing retail shops selling pirated music and movies. The United States continues to urge Brunei to intensify its enforcement and prosecution efforts. Additional follow-up activities are currently being planned, and we encourage U.S. rights holders to contact us if they would like to learn more about these initiatives and participate in them.

In September 2008, the United States announced its intention to begin negotiations to join the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (TPP) agreement, a high-standard FTA involving Brunei as well as Singapore, Chile, and New Zealand and intended to serve as a vehicle for Trans-Pacific economic integration. Shortly after the U.S. decision to join the negotiations, Australia, Peru, and Vietnam indicated their interest in participating as well.

A public hearing on TPP was held on March 4, 2009. The Administration is currently reviewing its overall trade strategy, including the TPP.

U.S.-Brunei Darussalam Trade Facts

Brunei is currently our 139th largest goods trading partner with $226 million in total (two ways) goods trade during 2008. Goods exports totaled $112 million; Goods imports totaled $114 million. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Brunei was $3 million in 2008.

Exports

Brunei was the United States' 142nd largest goods export market in 2008.

U.S. goods exports to Brunei in 2008 were $112 million, down 20.1% ($28 million) from 2007, and down 70% from 1994 (the year prior to Uruguay Round).

The top export categories (2-digit HS) for 2008 were: Aircraft ($37 million), Machinery ($31 million), Electrical Machinery ($10 million), Special Other (low value shipments) ($9 million), and Vehicles ($4 million).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to Brunei totaled $3 million in 2008.

Imports

Brunei was the United States' 124th largest supplier of goods imports in 2008.

U.S. goods imports from Brunei a totaled $114 million in 2008, a 71.8% decrease ($290 million) from 2007, but up 151% from 1994.

The top 5 imports categories (2-digit HS) for 2008 were: Knit Apparel ($71 million), Mineral Fuel (oil) ($37 million), Fish and Seafood (shrimp and prawn) ($2 million), Woven Apparel ($2 million), and Special Import Provisions (returns) ($2 million).

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade deficit with Brunei was $3 million in 2008, down 99% ($262 million) from 2007.

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Brunei (stock) was $26 million in 2008, down 7.1% from 2007.

Brunei FDI in the Unites States (stock) was $13 million in 2008.