Top five reasons why U.S. companies should consider exporting to Israel:
- U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed in 1985. Nearly all non-agricultural trade tariffs have been eliminated;
- The U.S. is Israel’s single largest trading partner. The Israeli market is highly receptive to U.S. products and services;
- Israel is the third largest trading partner for the U.S. in the Middle East;
- Despite regional geopolitical challenges, Israel has a stable, strong economy;
- Israel has a thriving innovation ecosystem and is a global leader in the number of startups outside of Silicon Valley.
Since signing the FTA in 1985, U.S.-Israel trade has grown ten-fold. In 2024, U.S. exports of goods and services to Israel amounted to $24.2 billion, up 12.7% from 2023. Goods exports alone reached $14.7 billion, reflecting a 5% increase from 2023. These exports accounted for 15.9% of Israel’s total goods imports from the world. Principal categories of U.S. goods exports to Israel in 2024 were:
- Miscellaneous Manufactures (21%);
- Computer & Electronic Products (18%);
- Transportation Equipment (17%);
- Chemicals (10.6%); and
- Machinery, Except Electrical (9.7%)
In 2024, U.S. imports of goods and services from Israel were $31.4 billion, up 5.7% from 2023. In 2024, U.S. imports of goods from Israel totaled $22.2 billion, a 6.7% increase over that figure in 2023. Principal categories of goods imports from Israel to the United States in 2024 were:
- Miscellaneous Manufactured Commodities (35%);
- Computer & Electronic Products (23.8%)
- Chemicals (13.9%); and
- Machinery, Except Electrical (6%)
In 2024 Israel’s GDP was $555 billion, a 5.6% increase over 2023. Israel’s 2024 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita was $54,176, a 4% increase over 2023. Israel’s inflation rate decreased from 4.2% to 3.1% over the same period. Israel’s 2024 unemployment rate was 3.1%, compared to 3.6% in 2023. In 2023, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the United States by Israel totaled $22.4 billion, and U.S. FDI in Israel totaled $45.9 billion. While GDP growth was positive in 2024 (1% growth), regional conflict and security issues have slowed Israel’s economic growth (down from 6.5% GDP growth in 2022).
Political Environment
Visit State Department’s website for background on the country’s political and economic environment.