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 212th largest goods trading partner with $4 million in total (two way) goods trade during 2010. Goods exports totaled $4 million; There were no goods imports. The U.S. goods trade surplus with Timor-Leste was $4 million.

Exports

Timor-Leste was the United States' 204th largest goods export market in 2010.

U.S. goods exports to Timor-Leste in 2010 were $4 million, up 84.2% ($2 million) from 2009.

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2010 were: Electrical Machinery ($1 million), Fish and Seafood (lobster) ($804 thousand), Miscellaneous Chemical Products ($405 thousand), Machinery ($368 thousand), and Optic and Medical Instruments ($303 thousand).

There were no agriculture exports in 2010.

Imports

There were no goods imports in 2010.

There were no agriculture imports in 2010

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade surplus with Timor-Leste was $4 million in 2010, a 89.6% increase ($2 million) from 2009.

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Timor-Leste (stock) was not available in 2009.

Timor-Leste FDI in the United States (stock) was not available in 2009.