Value of total U.S. imports of goods and services by sector 1790-1970
In all years between 1790 and 1970, merchandise (i.e. tangible goods) made up the largest share of U.S. imports. The second-largest share of U.S. imports has varied by time period, although it was income on foreign investments in most of the 19th century, travel in the early 20th century, and mostly direct military expenditures from the Second World War onward.