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 2018, these exports generated over $78 billion and helped support over 920,000 good-paying Washington jobs.

• In Washington, 921,400 jobs were supported by international trade in 2017, representing 20.9% of all jobs in the state.^1,2
• In 2016, 12,147 companies exported goods from Washington of which 90% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2016, 115,500 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.^2,3

• Washington exported $77.7 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2018. Washington's largest markets in 2018 were:⁴
  • China ($16 billion)
  • Canada ($9.1 billion)
  • Japan ($6.1 billion)
  • South Korea ($4.6 billion)
  • United Kingdom ($4 billion)
• Agricultural exports are important to Washington's' economy, totaling $4 billion in 2017, according to the USDA.⁵
• Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $31 billion in exports from 128 companies in Washington.⁶
• Since 1971, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation 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 2016-2017, 6,613 Washington students studied abroad.⁹
• During 2018, 28,455 international students were enrolled in Washington colleges and universities and contributed $917 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/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Trade-and-American-2019-FINAL.pdf
2. https://www.businessroundtable.org/benefits-of-trade-data
3. https://ustr.gov/map/state-benefits/al
4. https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/state/data/al.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-state
9. https://www.iie.org/Research-and-Insights/Open-Doors/Fact-Sheets-and-Infographics/Data-by-State-Fact-Sheets
10. https://www.peacecorps.gov/news/library/peace-corps-announces-top-volunteer-producing-states-2018/