Figure 1. U.S. trade as a percentage of real gross domestic product, 1970–2010
Year Import  percentage of GDP Export percentage of GDP Imports and exports (billions of chained 2009 dollars)

1970

4 5 $441

1975

5 5 532

1980

6 6 746

1985

5 7 941

1990

7 8 1,367

1995

9 10 1,924

2000

10 14 2,995

2005

10 15 3,546

2010

12 15 4,012

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and National Income and Product Accounts, table 1.1.6.