Laos

The United States is working closely with Laos to implement the terms of the 2005 Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), normalizing trade relations between the two countries, and to support its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Under the BTA, the United States extended Normal Trade Relations status (NTR) (formerly referred to as "most favored nation" or MFN) to products of Laos. Laos agreed to implement a variety of reforms to its trade regime, including most favored nation and national treatment for products of the United States, transparency in rule-making, establishment of a regime to protect intellectual property rights, and implementation of WTO-compliant customs regulations and procedures.

The United States is working closely with Laos to implement the terms of the BTA and to support Laos' efforts to accede to the WTO. The fourth meeting of the WTO Working Party for Laos' accession took place in July 2008.

U.S.-Laos Trade Facts

Laos is currently our 173rd largest goods trading partner with $61 million in total (two ways) goods trade during 2008. Goods exports totaled $18 million; Goods imports totaled $42 million. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Laos was $24 million in 2008.

Exports

Laos was the United States' 188th largest export market in 2008.

U.S. goods exports to Laos in 2008 were $18 million, up 235.7% ($13 million) from 2007.

The top export categories (2-digit HS) for 2008 were: Machinery ($7 million) Electrical Machinery ($3 million), Aircraft ($2 million), Vehicles ($2 million), and Optic and Medical Instruments ($1 million).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to Laos totaled $898 thousand in 2008.

Imports

Laos was the United States' 147th largest source of goods imports in 2008.

U.S. goods imports from Laos totaled $42 million in 2008, a 112.3% increase ($22 million) from 2007.

The top imports categories (2-digit HS) for 2008 were: Knit Apparel ($24 million); Inorganic Chemicals ($7 million), Woven Apparel ($6 million); Spices, Coffee and Tea (coffee) ($4 million), and Wood ($415 thousand)

U.S. imports of agricultural products from Laos totaled $4 million in 2008.

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade deficit with Laos was $24 million in 2008, $9.6 million higher than the deficit in 2007.

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Laos (stock) was not available in 2007.

Laos FDI in the United States (stock) was $4 million in 2007 (latest data available), the same as 2006.