Washington’s businesses are some of the most recognizable in the world, from Boeing to Microsoft to Starbucks. In addition, timber and agricultural exports - as well as one of the most trafficked ports on the west coast in Seattle - help Washington exports reach every corner of the globe. In 2019, these exports generated over $60 billion and helped support over 940,000 good-paying Washington jobs.

• In Washington, 940,800 jobs were supported by international trade in 2018, representing 20.6% of all jobs in the state.^1,2
• In 2018, 12,631 companies exported goods from Washington of which 90% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2017, 127,700 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.^2,3

• Washington exported $60.1 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2019. Washington's largest markets in 2019 were:⁴
  • China ($9.0 billion)
  • Canada ($8.5 billion)
  • Japan ($7.2 billion)
  • South Korea ($2.5 billion)
  • Mexico ($2.5 billion)
• Agricultural exports are important to Washington's' economy, totaling $3.6 billion in 2018, according to the USDA.⁵
• Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $31 billion in exports from 132 companies in Washington.⁶
• Since 1971, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation - which has been modernized into the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) - has invested $485 million in Washington companies for overseas investment.⁷
• Since 1992, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has helped facilitate $23 billion in exports from Washington companies, supporting an estimated 131,700 jobs in the state.⁸

• In 2017-2018, 6,902 Washington students studied abroad.⁹
• During 2019, 27,472 international students were enrolled in Washington colleges and universities and contributed $956 million to the Washington economy.⁹

• Since 1961, 9,968 Peace Corps volunteers from Washington have served in dozens of countries overseas.¹⁰

1. https://tradepartnership.com/reports/trade-and-american-jobs-the-impact-of-trade-on-u-s-and-state-level-employment-update-2020/
2. https://www.businessroundtable.org/benefits-of-trade-data
3. https://www.bea.gov/system/files/2019-11/imne1119_0.pdf
4. https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/state/data/index.html
5. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/state-fact-sheets.aspx#.U2ERwbQzqX8
6. https://customermap.exim.gov/index.cfm
7. https://www.opic.gov/sites/default/files/docs/OPIC_local_impact.pdf
8. https://ustda.gov/ustda-success-by-state/
9. https://www.iie.org/Research-and-Insights/Open-Doors
10. https://www.peacecorps.gov/news/library/peace-corps-announces-top-volunteer-producing-states-2018/