Kuwait Trading Partner Portal
Overview
Trade Overview
The State of Kuwait borders Iraq to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south. As of 2025, the population of Kuwait totaled 5.03 million people, and the country’s was GDP was approximately $117.8 billion. Kuwait remains a high-income country, backed by the world’s sixth-largest proven oil reserves, totaling over 101.5 billion barrels.
Kuwait’s economy is heavily reliant on oil, with petroleum products accounting for the vast majority of its export revenue. The country produces approximately 2.5 million barrels of oil per day, contributing significantly to government revenue and national GDP.
Key export destinations include South Korea, India, Japan, and China, while major imports come from China, the United States, the UAE, and Germany. Imports largely consist of machinery, vehicles, foodstuffs, and consumer goods.
Kuwait continues to pursue its Vision 2035 agenda, which aims to transform the country into a leading financial, commercial, and cultural hub in the region. This includes large-scale investments in infrastructure, economic diversification, and strategic reforms to reduce dependency on oil.
U.S. – Kuwait Trade
In 2024, the United States exported approximately $2.49 billion worth of goods to Kuwait. The top export category was transportation equipment, totaling $807 million, followed by non-electrical machinery at $342 million, and computer and electronic products valued at $278 million. Other significant exports included chemicals ($223 million) and processed foods ($189 million).
The United States imported approximately $2.12 billion in goods from Kuwait in 2024. The leading import category was petroleum and coal products, which totaled $1.21 billion, followed by crude oil and gas at $718 million. Other notable imports included goods returned ($91 million), chemicals ($12 million), and primary metal manufactures at $8 million.
California – Kuwait Trade
In 2024, California exported approximately $215 million in goods to Kuwait. The leading export category was chemicals, totaling $44 million. This was followed by agricultural products at $33 million, petroleum and coal products at $29 million, computer and electronic products at $27 million, and non-electrical machinery at $20 million.
In the same year, California imported about $158 million in goods from Kuwait. The top import was oil and gas, comprising approximately 65% of the total at $103 million. Other significant imports included petroleum and coal products ($28 million), reimports ($26 million), and smaller amounts of used or secondhand merchandise and computer and electronic products, each at less than $1 million.
Foreign Direct Investment
As of the end of 2023, U.S. direct investment in Kuwait totaled approximately $750 million, while Kuwaiti direct investment in the United States amounted to about $1.3 billion. Kuwaiti-owned firms in the U.S. supported an estimated 1,800 jobs in 2023, with significant investments in research and development and contributions to expanding U.S. exports. Key industry sectors for Kuwaiti FDI include transportation and chemicals.
Trade Agreements
Trade Agreements
Events
Events