International Trade
Quick Stats
- Seattle is equidistant between London and Tokyo
- Washington State ranks first in the U.S. for exports per capita
- Flights from SeaTac Airport reach Asia 1-2 hours faster than from Los Angeles or San Diego
- Approximately 8.7% of Washington State’s private sector jobs are linked to export manufacturing
- Seattle is a leading trade partner with Japan and China
With our natural deep-water ports, international air hub, and proximity to Asia and the Pacific Rim, the Seattle area has long been known as the Gateway to Asia. As a result, King County possesses some of the nation’s leading expertise in international trade and is one of the leading trade hubs on the West Coast.
Active ports.
The Seattle-Tacoma-Everett port region is the third largest container complex in the United States, and serves not only the Pacific Northwest, but also the major cities of the Midwest, East Coast and Canada. We’re also a major air and overland hub, enabling rapid cargo shipments to literally anywhere in the world from one location. And with our active trucking and rail routes, overland shipments can make it to Southern California as quickly as overnight, and to the East Coast in as few as five days.
Close ties to trade partners.
Commercial ties are cemented by strong civic, cultural and personal relationships. Greater Seattle is a popular destination for international tourists and students, has extensive sister-city relationships and is a center for research institutions, nonprofits and businesses that are conducting groundbreaking work in fields such as global health and clean technology.