U.S. High-Tech Exports Soar to $181 Billion

The U.S. high-technology industry exported a record $181 billion in manufactured products in 1999, with Canada, Mexico and Japan being the top three buyers, according to a March 13 report by the American Electronics Association and the Nasdaq stock market. The study said high-tech products now make up 26 percent of overall manufactured U.S. exports.

The top three export countries make up more than one-third of overall high-tech exports, with Canada bringing in $29 billion, Mexico $22 billion and Japan $16 billion.

The report, "The U.S. High-Tech Industry and World Markets," said countries with the biggest high-tech markets are similar to the United States in that they have high Internet and computer penetration rates, a strong venture capital market, skilled labor and an emphasis on risk-taking and innovation.

The study also listed the fastest-growing markets, with eight of the top 10 experiencing triple-digit growth from 1993 to 1999.