The United States is the world’s largest economy and one of NSW’s most important trade and investment partners. It is also Australia’s largest investor, with $210 billion in foreign direct investment as of 2023.
The US is NSW’s:
- third-largest two-way merchandise trading partner ($22.4 billion)
- fourth-largest merchandise export market ($4.8 billion).
Australia also has free trade agreements or preferential arrangements with the US, Canada, Mexico, Peru , and Chile.
Under the Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement, there are no tariffs on US imports to Australia and 96.1% of Australian exports to the US are tariff-free. However, currently most Australian merchandise exports to the US are subject to a 10% baseline tariff, with higher sector specific tariffs applicable to certain steel, aluminum and copper exports.
NSW’s trade and investment ties with the US are further supported by a long-standing Sister State Agreement with California and a City2State business welcome program with Denver.
Export opportunities from NSW
The US and Canada are attractive markets for NSW exporters.
High-potential sectors include:
- Digital technologies – This sector includes cleantech, fintech, agritech, AI, space, and digital health.
- Defence and Aerospace – Australia’s Five Eyes membership presents significant opportunities for NSW businesses to find success in Canada and the US.
- Agrifood – This is a sector with strong business and consumer demand.
Why invest in NSW
There are significant opportunities for US and Canadian investment into NSW, particularly in the areas of:
- cleantech and the transition to net-zero
- defence and aerospace
- digital technology, advanced manufacturing and life sciences
- METS and resources (including critical minerals).
NSW also offers:
- a growing, highly skilled workforce
- strong entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems
- strategic access to Indo-Pacific markets.
Talk to an expert in the Americas region
We can help you grow your business in NSW or export to customers across the Americas.
Key contact
Joe Kaesshaefer
Trade and Investment Commissioner, Americas
Based in San Francisco, Joe leads NSW’s trade and investment strategy across the region. He previously held senior global roles with the US Government, including posts in Australia, New Zealand, France, Saudi Arabia, and Southeast Asia. He retired from the US Senior Foreign Service in 2016.
Our offices in the Americas region
San Francisco, United States of America
Investment NSW
7th Floor, 575 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
United States of America
New York, United States of America
17-122, 575 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
United States of America
Toronto, Canada
Australian Consulate General
Suite 1100, South Tower
175 Bloor Street East
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R8, Canada