Venezuela Becomes Fastest-Growing U.S. Trade Partner in 2025 Driven by Oil Imports
According to Forbes analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, U.S. trade with Venezuela has surged 74.32% in 2025, the fastest growth rate among the top 50 U.S. trade partners. The increase is almost entirely driven by oil imports, which rose 455.09% in May alone, reaching $1.06 billion for the month. This trade boom follows the Trump administration's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January and subsequent lifting of the embargo on Venezuelan oil imports. The policy shift contradicts President Trump's stated goals of reducing U.S. dependency on foreign oil and narrowing the trade deficit. While the overall U.S. trade deficit has fallen to its lowest five-month level since 2021, the U.S. has swung from a trade surplus with Venezuela to a $2.35 billion deficit. Oil and gasoline account for over 97% of U.S. imports from Venezuela this year.
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