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 211th largest goods trading partner with $5 million in total (two way) goods trade during 2008. Goods exports totaled $5 million; Goods imports totaled $24 thousand. The U.S. goods trade surplus with Timor-Leste was $5 million.

Exports

Timor-Leste was the United States' 208th largest goods export market in 2008.

U.S. goods exports to Timor-Leste in 2008 were $5 million, down 53.9% ($6 million) from 2007.

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2008 were: Inorganic Chemicals ($1 million), Electrical Machinery ($805 thousand), Optical and Medical Instruments ($757 thousand), Books, Newspapers, and Manuscripts ($316 thousand), and Precious Stones ($273 thousand).

U.S. agriculture exports in 2008 were $491 thousand.

Imports

Timor-Leste was the United States' 224th largest supplier of goods imports in 2008.

U.S. goods imports from Timor-Leste in 2008 were $24 thousand, all in returns.

There were no agriculture imports in 2008.

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade surplus with Timor-Leste was $5 million in 2008, a 52.7% decrease ($6 million) from 2007.

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Timor-Leste (stock) was $2 million in 2008, the same as 2007.