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Buyer’s market: A global giant sees continued trade deficits as export volume lags import demand

By Randy B. Hecht

The United States of America is the third largest country in the world in terms of area, behind Russia and Canada and just ahead of China. Its coastlines extend across more than 12,300 miles (19,900 kilometers), and its elevation runs from a depth of about –282 feet (–86 meters) at Death Valley to about 20,300 feet (6,190 meters) at Denali (which are, respectively, the lowest and highest points in North America).¹⁰

The record-setting continues in the global marketplace: The country is the world’s largest importer and second largest exporter.¹¹ For 2023, imports totaled an estimated $3.832 trillion, down from $3.97 trillion in 2022 but rebounded from $3.409 trillion in 2021. China is the source of 18% of imports into the U.S., followed by Canada and Mexico (14% each), Germany (5%), and Japan (4%). Major imports include crude petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, garments, and computers.

Export volume for 2023 totaled an estimated $3.052 trillion, up slightly from $3.018 trillion in 2022 and significantly from $2.567 in 2021. Canada is the destination for 16% of U.S. exports, followed by Mexico (15%), China (8%), and Japan and the United Kingdom (4% each). Leading export commodities include refined petroleum, crude petroleum, natural gas, cars, and integrated circuits.

Based on the number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work, the U.S. had an estimated 2023 labor force of 170.549 million.

Real GDP was an estimated $24.662 trillion for 2023, which represents a growth rate of 2.54% from $24.051 trillion in 2022. That breaks down to an estimated per capita GDP of $73,600 for 2023, up from $72,200 in 2022.

The U.S. economy is largely dependent on the services sector, which generates 80% of GDP; industry accounts for 19.1% and agriculture for 0.9%. Despite that distribution, the CIA World Factbook notes that the U.S. has the world’s second largest industrial output. Dominant industries include petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, and mining. The top 10 agricultural products, based on tonnage, are maize, soybeans, milk, wheat, sugarcane, sugar beets, chicken, potatoes, beef, and pork.

On July 12, 2024, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) announced preliminary statistics for new foreign direct investment in the U.S. for 2023.¹² According to the notice, “Expenditures by foreign direct investors to acquire, establish, or expand U.S. businesses totaled $148.8 billion. Expenditures decreased $57.4 billion, or 28%, from $206.2 billion in 2022 and were below the annual average of $265.6 billion for 2014–2022. As in previous years, acquisitions of existing U.S. businesses accounted for most of the expenditures…In 2023, employment at newly acquired, established, or expanded foreign-owned businesses in the United States was 110,000 employees.”

On July 23, 2024, the BEA announced that “The U.S. direct investment abroad position, or cumulative level of investment, increased $364.0 billion to $6.68 trillion at the end of 2023…The increase reflected a $147.1 billion increase in the position in Europe, primarily in Ireland, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.”¹³

The Office of the United States Trade Representative is a resource for information about trade agreements, countries and regions, and a slate of trade topics. The International Trade Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, provides support in export solutions, regulations and agreements, and research. In addition, it offers country commercial guides and information about buying from or investing in U.S. businesses.

Fostering visibility and sustainability in glass: An inside look at the Glass Manufacturing Industry Council

The Glass Manufacturing Industry Council (GMIC) describes itself as a “partner, ally, and advocate” that represents the glass sector’s interests to governments and trade organizations, sponsors technical programs and other educational initiatives, and supports members with industry intelligence. Its objectives include promoting and facilitating the use of glass and positioning the industry to better meet sustainability demands.

Each year, in partnership with Alfred University and The American Ceramic Society, GMIC organizes the Glass Problems Conference and Symposium. This annual conference provides a platform for leading experts and manufacturers to share information on new innovations and methods to deal with challenges the industry faces with manufacturing glass.

This year’s conference tracks—projects, refractory, machine learning, melting and forming, recycling, and decarbonization—reflect the sector’s current and emerging concerns. Among the presentation highlights were

• “Improved refractories with excellent glass properties and low carbon footprint,” Andrea Kazmierczak, R&D project leader, Saint-Gobain SEFPRO
• “Effect of different bonding phases on the hydration resistance of regenerator checker bricks,” Samantha Garnier, research engineer, HarbisonWalker International
• “Use of ML to utilize 30 simulation, field data, or fusion of the two to create digital twins,” Vitor Lopes, senior product manager, Ansys Inc.
• “Glass melting fundamentals: Understanding batch reactions, transformations, and moving towards a decarbonized future with a heavy emphasis on recycling,” Charmayne Lonergan, assistant professor, Missouri University of Science and Technology
• “Electrification of the glass industry,” Caio Barca Bragatto, assistant professor of Physics, Coe College
• “Autonomous Al—Building Al for control and advisory,” Chris Conry, group manager, RoviSys
• “Glass recycling: Building infrastructure,” Kyle Sword, R&D director of North America, NSG Pilkington
• “Developing a more sustainable glass recycling system,” Steve Whettingsteel, CEO and managing director, Krysteline Technologies Ltd.
• “Three European projects for a systemic approach to the decarbonization of glass production,” Ernesto Cattaneo, head of R&D, Stara Glass S.p.A.

GMIC also publishes the Glass Manufacturing Industry Report every three years. The next edition of this report, which provides “a comprehensive, up-to-date reference source for intelligence on the glass manufacturing industry,” is slated to be published later this year.

Associations

The American Ceramic Society

The American Ceramic Society (ACerS), based in Westerville, Ohio, is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials. To facilitate networking and learning opportunities for its members, the Society oversees the organization of scientific conferences, the publishing of four scholarly journals, an extensive library of in-person and online educational courses, and the production of public-oriented science magazines and blogs, among other resources. Visit the website.

Also within ACerS is the the Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation (CGIF), which aims to attract, inspire, and support the next generation of ceramic and glass professionals. Since its inception in 2014, the CGIF has launched several programs to achieve its mission, including student and teacher outreach, international student exchanges, travel grants, student leadership development, a university–industry network, and an online Ceramic and Glass Career Center. Visit the website.

Association of American Ceramic Component Manufacturers

The Association of American Ceramic Component Manufacturers (AACCM), based in Westerville, Ohio, aims to expand the market for manufactured ceramic components by enhancing the processes and product quality of advanced ceramics, as well as by increasing public and industry education and awareness of ceramic applications. Additionally, in recent years, AACCM has worked to create and strengthen relationships and tie-ins with leading U.S. materials science universities to facilitate technology adoption and improve talent recruitment for member companies. Visit the website.

Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation

The Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation, based in Westerville, Ohio, works to assist manufacturers with the high-temperature processing of ceramics and other materials. The Foundation has three distinct areas of products and services:​

• Pyrometric monitoring devices
• Thermal analytical instruments
• Materials testing services

Visit the website.

Glass Manufacturing Industry Council

The Glass Manufacturing Industry Council (GMIC), based in Westerville, Ohio, is a nonprofit trade association focused on representing the interests of the glass manufacturing industry. In addition to advocating on the industry’s behalf with governments and trade organizations, GMIC provides valuable education in the form of technical programs, symposia, and conferences and coordinates technical initiatives.
Visit the website.

United States Advanced Ceramics Association

The United States Advanced Ceramics Association (USACA), based in Washington, D.C., is the premier association that champions the common business interests of the advanced ceramic producer and end-user industries. USACA functions through working groups led by USACA members. Current active working groups include Ceramic Fiber and CMC Manufacturing, Nuclear Ceramics, Transparent Armor, and Workforce Development.
Visit the website.

Corporations

The United States is home to many companies involved in the manufacture and production of advanced ceramic and glass materials, applications, and services. As leaders in their respective niche fields, many of these companies have taken advantage of ACerS Corporate Partnership program to grow their business through networking and exposure to ceramic and glass professionals around the world. View the full list of ACerS Corporate Partners.

Government agencies

DOE national laboratories

An outgrowth of immense investment in scientific research initiated by the U.S. government during World War II, the U.S. Department of Energy’s national laboratories have served as the leading institutions for scientific innovation in the United States for more than 70 years. Each of the DOE’s 17 national labs have systems in place to collaborate with and provide support to corporate and academic researchers and engineers who are working to resolve complex research and development challenges with an emphasis on translating basic science to innovation. Learn more about the capabilities and programs offered by each lab.

DOD laboratories

The U.S. Department of Defense laboratories are comprised of dozens of facilities across 22 states and employ tens of thousands of scientists and engineers, both civilian and military, public employees and contractors. The laboratories engage in activities ranging from basic research through defense system acquisition support to direct operational support of deployed warfighters. Learn more about the activities of each lab.

Universities^*

Alfred University

• Offerings: B.S. in both ceramic engineering and glass engineering; M.S. and Ph.D. in both ceramics and glass science
• Website
• Program contact: Gabrielle Gaustad, engineering@alfred.edu

Colorado School of Mines

• Offerings: B.S. in ceramic engineering
• Website
• Program contact: Savannah Rodgers, savhende@mines.edu

Missouri University of Science and Technology

• Offerings: B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in ceramic engineering
• Website

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

• Offerings: Minor in ceramic engineering
• Website
• Program contact: Katrina Donovan, katrina.donovan@sdsmt.edu

*Most materials science and engineering departments at universities across the U.S. have varying levels of ceramic and glass research.