Trading Partner Portal: Panama
Trade Overview
Panama is an emerging Central American economy that is shaping to be a beneficial trading partner for California. The U.S. is one of Panama’s most important trading partners, importing almost 50% of Panamanian goods, and U.S. products enjoy a high degree of acceptance in Panama.
Panama has historically served as the crossroads of trade for the Americas. Its strategic location as a bridge between two oceans and the meeting of two continents has made Panama not only a maritime and air transport hub, but also an international trading, banking, and services center.
Panama’s is enhancing its global and regional prominence through trade liberalization and privatization and is participating actively in the hemispheric movement toward free trade agreements. Panama’s dollar-based economy offers low inflation in comparison with neighboring countries and zero foreign exchange risk. Its government is stable and democratic and actively seeks foreign investment in all sectors, especially services, tourism and retirement properties (U.S. Department of Commerce).
With a population of 4.57 million and a GDP of $90.46 billion in 2025, roughly 80 percent of Panama’s GDP is created within its services sector. Operation of the Panama Canal, the banking industry, container ports, and medical and health are the largest factors of this service economy. U.S. Department of State
U.S. – Panama Trade
In 2025, two-way trade equaled $9.68 billion, with the United States exporting $9.02 billion to Panama. Top exports included petroleum & coal ($3.45 billion), transportation equipment ($1.21 billion), oil and gas ($827 million), chemicals ($757 million), and processed foods ($646 million).
The United States imported $660 million from Panama including re-imports ($205 million), primary metals products ($122 million), fish and other marine products ($77 million), electrical equipment, appliances, & components ($55 million), and processed foods ($43 million). U.S. Department of Commerce
Services trade between Panama and the U.S. totaled $6.44 billion in 2025, with exports from the U.S. to Panama equaling $3.73 billion. Top exports were other business services, transport services, financial services. travel, and maintenance and repair services.
Services imports from Panama to the U.S. totaled $2.71 billion, with top imports being transport services, travel, other business services, telecommunications, computer, & information services, and government goods and services.
California – Panama Trade
In 2025, Panama exported $434 million worth of goods from California. Top categories included petroleum and coal products ($218 million), computer and electronic products ($43 million), processed foods ($42 million), chemicals ($27 million), and transportation equipment ($17 million).
California imported approximately $62 million from Panama in 2025. Top imports included goods returned ($47 million), fish and other marine products ($7 million), processed foods ($4 million), agricultural products ($2 million), and livestock & livestock products ($608 thousand). U.S. Department of Commerce
FDI – Panama
U.S. FDI into Panama totaled $9.1 billion in 2025. FDI from Panama into the U.S. totaled $6.40 billion in the same year. Bureau of Economic Analysis
More Articles:
In Panama “Building the Panama Canal” Exhibition Hall Opens to the Public
Newsroom Panama, October 7, 2025
Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean
ECLAC, December 2025
CalChamber Resources
- American Chamber of Commerce in Panama
- Panama Consulates in California
- HRCalifornia’s selection of forms and checklists in Spanish.
- International Trade FAQs
Business
- U.S. Commercial Service Panama
- Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA/ALCA)
- Inter-American Development Bank
- Latin American Trade Coalition