Country Focus: USA

Overview

The USA is the fourth largest geographic area in the world and covers 4 time zones – 6 including Alaska and Hawaii. It comprises 50 states and one federal district.

The country is home to around 4% of the world ’s population – approximately 275 million people.

Key sectors

The USA has an integrated and largely self-contained economy and every major industry is represented. With the exception of a few import quotas and some strategic industry ownership restrictions, there are no limitations on foreign firms seeking to do business in the US.

Although the country offers opportunities for traders in virtually any industry, there are certain sectors that claim the top exports. These are:

• Machinery and transport equipment
• Miscellaneous manufactured articles
• Chemical products
• Mineral fuels and lubricants
• Beverages and tobacco

Reasons to do business with the USA

The USA is Britain’s largest single market and is the leading destination for British overseas investment.  

It is an attractive market for UK exporters and investors for the following reasons:

• Political and economic stability
• Shared history and culture
• Strong underlying relationships between the US and the UK
• The UK is often seen in a favourable and positive light by most US business people and consumers
• UK goods have traditionally enjoyed a good reputation for quality in the US
• US manufacturers often source components overseas
• Wider market access to Canada and Mexico through the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
• Active support at federal and state level for international investment.

How we can help

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) can offer assistance to any regional company wishing to target the US through its network of International Trade Teams and extensive programme of events and schemes.

The sheer size of the US means it should be regarded as a series of regional markets with individual characteristics and as such UKTI can offer tailored advice to suit each company based on its individual requirements and which area of the USA it wishes to target.

This section of the website aims to give an overview of doing business in the USA and point you in the right direction for whatever concerns or questions you may have. Please contact us if you cannot find what you are looking for.

• USA reports and publications
  Useful documents whatever stage of trading you are at.
• US Marketing Scholarship Programme
  A programme for businesses wishing to compete more effectively in the US market.
• Support organisations
  Here you will find details of support organisations and service providers in the Yorkshire & Humber region who can help your business export successfully to the USA.
• Success stories
  Case studies of regional companies which have succeeded in the USA.
• USA Events
  Take a look at the Events section of the Trade Yorkshire website to find out what events are taking place to help your business trade successfully with USA.
• TradeYorkshire features
  Features previously published on this site relating to the USA.