Minnesota's global competitiveness is growing rapidly thanks to its established presence in markets in North America and Europe, initiatives in China and India, and growing business in emerging markets throughout the world. Minnesota's goods exports generated some $20 billion last year, supporting more than 700,000 good-paying Minnesotan jobs.

• In Minnesota, 701,900 jobs (18.9%) are supported by trade, including 118,458 jobs supported by manufactured goods exports in 2016.¹
• In 2015, 8,266 companies exported goods from Minnesota of which 87% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2015, 111,700 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.²

• Minnesota exported $20.6 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2017. Minnesota's largest markets in 2017 were:²
  • Canada ($4.2 billion)
  • Mexico ($2.4 billion)
  • China ($1.9 billion)
  • Japan ($1.3 billion)
  • Germany ($887 million)
• Agricultural exports are important to Minnesota's' economy, totaling $7.1 billion in 2016, according to the USDA.³
• Since 2013, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $1 billion in exports from 128 companies in Minnesota.⁴
• Since 1971, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation has invested $491 million in Minnesota companies for overseas investment.⁵

• In 2015-2016, 8,577 Minnesota students studied abroad.⁶
• During 2017, 15,389 international students were enrolled in Minnesota colleges and universities and contributed $457 million to the Minnesota economy.⁶

• Since 1961, 6,865 Peace Corps volunteers from Minnesota have served in dozens of countries overseas.⁷

1. https://www.businessroundtable.org/resources/state-data#map=Benefits_of_International_Trade
2. https://www.trade.gov/mas/ian/statereports/index.asp
3. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/state-fact-sheets.aspx#.U2ERwbQzqX8
4. http://customermap.exim.gov/index.cfm
5. https://www.opic.gov/sites/default/files/docs/OPIC_local_impact.pdf
6. https://www.iie.org/Research-and-Insights/Open-Doors/Fact-Sheets-and-Infographics/Data-by-State-Fact-Sheets
7. https://files.peacecorps.gov/documents/17_PRS_TopStates.pdf