The United States posted a goods trade deficit of US$91.9 million (N$1.6 billion) with Namibia between January and June 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports to Namibia totalled US$54.1 million in the six-month period, while imports stood at US$145.9 million. The trade balance shifted sharply month by month, reflecting uneven flows of goods.
In January, exports were US$11.4 million against imports of US$11 million, leaving a small surplus of US$0.5 million.
In February, exports dropped to US$6.1 million while imports rose to US$20.7 million, creating a deficit of US$14.6 million.
March recorded the widest gap of the year to date, with exports of US$7.3 million against imports of US$92.7 million, resulting in a deficit of US$85.4 million. April saw a rebound as exports increased to US$13.1 million and imports fell to US$6.8 million, leaving a surplus of US$6.3 million.
In May, exports stood at US$9.3 million while imports reached US$9.8 million, producing a narrow deficit of US$0.5 million. June closed with exports of US$6.8 million against imports of US$5 million, giving a surplus of US$1.8 million, the Census Bureau reported.
Trade between the two countries has shown recurring imbalances. From 2020 to 2024, the U.S. accumulated a goods trade deficit of US$181.2 million with Namibia, with exports amounting to US$716.1 million and imports at US$897.5 million.
The largest annual shortfall came in 2024, when imports of US$275.2 million outpaced exports of US$160.5 million, resulting in a deficit of US$114.7 million.
The smallest was in 2021 at US$57.2 million, with imports of US$150.3 million and exports of US$93 million.
The balance has also fluctuated year by year. In 2023, the U.S. recorded a surplus of US$43.9 million, with exports of US$176.6 million compared to imports of US$132.7 million.
By contrast, 2022 ended with a deficit of US$23.1 million, as imports of US$249.1 million exceeded exports of US$225.9 million.
Monthly swings have been equally sharp. In July 2024, imports surged to US$105.7 million while exports fell to US$11.4 million, creating a deficit of US$94.3 million.
Surpluses of US$9.4 million and US$22.4 million were later recorded in November and December.
Namibia’s exports to the U.S. are largely resource-based, including diamonds, non-monetary gold, uranium, copper and fish. In January 2025, gold made up 17.1% of Namibia’s exports and uranium 13.1%, all shipped to the U.S.
Meanwhile, U.S. exports to Namibia consist mainly of minerals, fuels, copper, precious stones and fish products.
