Source: adapted from Robert C. Leachman (2005) Port and Modal Elasticity Study, Dept. of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, University of California at Berkeley. http://www.metrans.org/nuf/documents/Leachman.pdf

Sectors of American Imports of Asian Goods Through Maritime Container Shipping, 2004 (in TEUs)

North American retailers account for a substantial share of containerized imports, mostly involving finished consumption goods bound to major inland freight distribution centers. The largest importers, such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Target, Sears, Ikea and Lowe’s, are all mass retailers relying on high volume and low margin goods, which are dominantly produced in China. It is worth mentioning that about 60% of all Chinese trade surplus with the United States is the outcome of American owned firms operating in China and importing their output in the United States.