The International Trade Administration in the Department of Commerce keeps an up-to-date Web site with the easiest to access U.S. trade data. See tse.export.gov for their Trade Stats Express page. Data are also provided for state exports. (Everything you might want to know about these data series, and then some, is available on the Census Bureau's Website in their Foreign Trade section. See www.census.gov/foreign-trade/guide/sec2.html for a complete description of data, collection methods, measurement issues, and other background information.)
Using the Trade Stats Express page, response to the following questions:
(1) What are the leading U.S. exports and imports in terms of value?
(2) Which trading partners are most important to the United States? This can be measured in terms of total exports, total imports, or total exports plus imports.
(3) Which countries have the largest trade deficits and trade surpluses with the United States?