According to the Observatory for Economic Complexity (OEC), the United States was the globe's biggest importer of medical equipment in 2019.

In 2020, the nation imported $46.9 billion worth of medical supplies, which was an increase of around $1.4 billion from the year before. According to data from Statista, America's 2019 imports included over $213 million worth of nitrile and sterile medical gloves from China.

Tariffs that had been placed on these goods were swiftly lifted on 6 March 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic necessitated the import of record amounts ($427 million worth, to be precise) of personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical workers.

America's top 20 imports and exports