Exports from the Benelux in the U.S.
This chapter provides an overview of the trade relations between the Benelux countries and the United States from 1999 to 2023. It examines export figures, diving into the main product and services categories brought to the US market historically and in 2023.
Luxembourg
Product Imports from Luxembourg to the U.S.
From 1999 to 2008, Luxembourg's exports to the US saw steady growth, rising from $317 million in 1999 to a high of $539 million by 2008. However, the global financial crisis of 2009 caused a significant decline, with exports dropping to $475 million.
Starting in 2010, Luxembourg began to recover, although export levels remained volatile, eventually reaching $742 million in 2014. A notable decrease took place in 2015, with exports falling to $610 million, followed by further decreases in 2016, bottoming out at $507 million. Nonetheless, the country experienced a rebound from 2017, with exports increasing to $674 million by 2019.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to another setback, reducing exports to $513 million. However, Luxembourg bounced back over the next two years, reaching a peak of $713 million in 2022. A slight decrease followed in 2023, with exports falling to $667 million.
Figure 2: Product Exports from Luxembourg to the United States in Million Dollars
The 2023 breakdown of U.S. goods imports from Luxembourg shows that industrial supplies and materials dominate, comprising over 58% of total imports. Capital goods account for nearly 18%, while automotive parts and consumer goods make up smaller shares. Foods, feeds, and beverages represent a minimal portion. This distribution highlights Luxembourg's focus on industrial supplies in its exports to the U.S. market.
Industrial Supplies & Materials
Capital Goods except Automotive
Other General Merchandise
Services Imports from Luxembourg to the U.S.
The bilateral trade relationship between the U.S. and Luxembourg is particularly strong in the services sector, where Luxembourg consistently outperforms in comparison to goods exports. From 1999 to 2023, Luxembourg’s services exports to the U.S. followed an upward trend.
In the early years, from 1999 to 2003, services exports rose modestly from $361 million in 1999 to $435 million in 2003. This growth accelerated between 2004 and 2008, with exports nearly doubling from $615 million to $1,046 million.
Even during the 2009 global financial crisis, Luxembourg’s services exports saw an impressive rise, peaking at $1,609 million, though there was a correction in 2010 with exports falling back to $1,280 million. The recovery phase began soon after, with steady growth leading to $1,788 million by 2014.
Luxembourg’s services exports continued to grow, reaching $2,036 million in 2015 and $2,096 million in 2016. Despite a slight decline in 2017 and 2018, the country’s exports rebounded in 2019 to $1,890 million. The resilience of Luxembourg’s services sector was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, with exports growing to $2,085 million in 2020 and continuing to expand through 2022, peaking at $2,529 million.
In 2023, Luxembourg achieved a record, with services exports to the U.S. reaching $3,027 million, highlighting the importance of sectors such as financial services and technology in maintaining a robust and growing trade relationship with the U.S.
Figure 3: Services Exports from Luxembourg to the United States in Million Dollars
The 2023 breakdown of U.S. service imports from Luxembourg indicates that financial services account for the largest share, making up over 35% of total imports. Other business services and transport services also contribute significantly. Insurance services represent around 6%, while maintenance and repair services, along with government services, comprise minimal portions. This distribution highlights Luxembourg's strengths in financial and business services in its exports to the U.S. market.
Financial Services
Other Business Services
Transport
Insurance Services
Belgium
Product Imports from Belgium to the U.S.
When looking at the goods exported from Belgium to the U.S. from 1999 to 2023, we can observe that between 1999 to 2008 Belgium experienced consistent growth in goods’ exports, rising from $9,326 million to $17,591 million. However, the 2009 financial crisis led to a severe decline, with exports falling to $13,992 million. Belgium’s exports rebounded starting in 2010, reaching a peak of $17,819 million in 2011. After fluctuating slightly between 2012 and 2015, there was a decline in 2016 and 2017, with exports dropping to $15,014 million by 2017.
From 2018 onward there was a strong recovery, with exports rising to $20,217 million in 2019. Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Belgian exports continued to grow, peaking at $26,713 million in 2022. A slight decline occurred in 2023, with exports falling to $22,922 million.
Despite these fluctuations, Belgium's strong manufacturing base, particularly in chemicals, machinery, and transportation equipment, has helped maintain a strong trade relationship with the U.S.
Figure 4: Product Exports from Belgium to the United States in Millions of Dollars
The 2023 breakdown of U.S. goods imports from Belgium shows that consumer goods (excluding food and automotive) make up the largest share, followed by industrial supplies and materials. Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines also play a significant role, alongside capital goods. Foods, feeds, and beverages represent a smaller portion of imports, while other general merchandise and non monetary gold contribute minimally.
Consumer Goods Except Food & Automotive
Industrial Supplies & Materials
Automotive Vehicles, Parts & Engines
Capital Goods except Automotive
Services Imports from Belgium to the U.S.
Regarding the import of services from Belgium to the U.S. from 1999 to 2023, it can be seen that there was moderate growth from 1999 to 2008, with service imports rising from $2,040 million in 1999 to $3,836 million in 2008. The trend continued through 2009, despite the global financial crisis, with imports reaching $4,125 million.
From 2010 to 2024 there was steady but slow growth especially considering the growth shown during the previous years, with imports increasing from $4,436 million to $5,938 million. After a period of stability in 2015, where imports were at $6,000 million, a decline occurred in the following years, with imports falling to $5,325 million by 2017 and continuing to decrease until 2019, when they hit $4,415 million.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a further dip to $4,092 million. However, a recovery began in 2021, with imports rising to $4,746 million, continuing to grow by over 10% annually to $5,797 million by 2023.
This trend highlights that while there were fluctuations, particularly during the pandemic, U.S. service imports from Belgium have shown resilience, with growth driven by sectors such as business services, logistics, and IT.
Figure 5: Services Exports from Belgium to the United States in Millions of Dollars
The 2023 breakdown of U.S. service imports from Belgium reveals that other business services and transport services dominate, accounting for the largest shares. Financial services and travel also make notable contributions, while smaller categories like maintenance and repair services, government services, and intellectual property charges add to the overall trade.
Other Business Services
Transport
Financial Services
Travel
Netherlands
Product Imports from the Netherlands to the U.S.
Regarding the goods exported from the Netherlands to the U.S. between 1999 and 2023, it can be observed that there is a consistent upward trend from 1999 to 2008, with exports nearly tripling from $8,630 million in 1999 to $21,547 million in 2008. However, the 2009 global financial crisis led to a notable decline, with exports dropping to $16,243 million.
From 2010 onwards, there was a recovery and constant growth, peaking in 2011 at $24,167 million, followed by fluctuations between 2012 and 2016, with exports decreasing to $16,352 million by 2016. A recovery began in 2017, with exports rising from $18,094 million to a peak of $29,974 million in 2019.
Despite a slight decline in 2020 to $27,471 million, likely due to the global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Netherlands experienced significant growth from 2021 onward, with exports reaching $38,882 million by 2023. This increase reflects the Netherlands’ strong trade relationship with the U.S., particularly in sectors like chemicals, machinery, and technology.
Figure 6: Product Exports from the Netherlands to the United States in Millions of Dollars
The 2023 breakdown of U.S. goods imports from the Netherlands shows that consumer goods (excluding food and automotive) hold the largest share, followed by industrial supplies and materials. Foods, feeds, and beverages also make a notable contribution, while capital goods and other general merchandise play significant roles. This distribution highlights the Netherlands' diverse export strengths to the U.S. market.
Consumer Goods Except Food & Automotive
Industrial Supplies & Materials
Capital Goods except Automotive
Other General Menchardise
Services Imports from the Netherlands to the U.S.
Analyzing the services imported from the Netherlands to the U.S. from 1999 to 2023 shows that there is a consistent growth trend from 1999 to 2008, with service imports rising from $4,957 million in 1999 to $9,186 million in 2008. However, the global financial crisis in 2009 caused a temporary decline, with imports dropping to $8,003 million.
Since 2010 there was a period of recovery, with imports rising to $9,334 million by 2011 and continuing to grow consistently through the years, reaching $12,373 million in 2017. From 2018 to 2019, the import of services experienced significant growth, peaking at $14,643 million in 2019.
In 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic led to a notable decline, with imports falling to $11,154 million. Despite this disruption, imports reached $12,196 million in 2021 and continued to grow to $15,490 million by 2023.
This growth in service imports reflects the deepening economic ties between the U.S. and the Netherlands, particularly in sectors such as financial services, IT, and professional services.
Figure 7: Services Exports from the Netherlands to the United States in Millions of Dollars
The 2023 breakdown of U.S. service imports from the Netherlands highlights that other business services represent the largest share, followed by transport services, which also play a significant role. Charges for the use of intellectual property and telecommunications services are notable contributors as well. Travel services and financial services also add to the overall mix, while smaller categories include maintenance and repair services, construction, and government services.
