Oklahoma averaged $306 million in goods exports to China annually from 2008-2017, experiencing a 12% bump in 2021 for a total of $394 million. While China is Oklahoma’s fourth largest trading partner, goods exports to the country account for only 6% of the state’s global total, half of the Heartland’s average. Despite Oklahoma’s status as the second largest beef producing state in the U.S. and its top agricultural exports (beef, wheat, and pork) being in high-demand by China, the state witnessed a 41% decrease in exports of meat products to China in 2021. However, Oklahoma is ripe for increased trade and business with China in both agriculture and manufacturing. Compared to many other states, Oklahoma is very cost competitive and has a strong economic base in aviation, energy, and biotechnology, all of which are potential areas for Chinese investment. Although the Chinese American population is relatively small in the state, Chinese immigrants were the first Asians to settle in Oklahoma around 1880. Sister city partnerships like that of Tulsa-Beihai, established in 1987, remain vibrant. Educational collaborations have also helped Oklahoma strengthen its relationship with China, such as the joint degree programs that Oklahoma State University has with 4 leading Chinese universities and the only Sino-U.S. joint program on fire safety engineering.

Oklahoma is ripe for increased trade with China, in terms of manufacturing as well as agriculture. While China is Oklahoma’s fourth largest trading partner, goods exporting to the country accounts for only 6% of the state’s total global exporting, just half of the Heartland’s average of 12%. Oklahoma was averaging $306 million in goods exporting to China annually from 2008-2017, 2021 marking a notable bump to $394 million. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, service exports from Oklahoma to China fell by -47%.

2021’s total exporting revenue is up 64% from the low in 2018 at the height of the trade war. Oklahoma industries impacted by tariffs felt the burn, particularly in soybeans and meat; compare the exporting revenue of oilseeds and grains to China in 2018 of $36 million to 2021 of $174 million. Moreover, when Swine Fever lost China half their domestic hog herd in 2019, Oklahoma could have benefited in making up for the loss–except for the 72% tariff on U.S. pork.

Those opportunities have not expired however: Oklahoma’s top global agricultural exports of beef, wheat, and pork have all been in high-demand by China in recent years. China has been steadily increasing its consumption of American beef since lifting its ban in 2017, while in 2021 China was second only to Mexico in its purchasing of American beef–and it hardly need be said that the country is infamous for its love of pork, accounting for more than half of global consumption. Yet despite Oklahoma being the second largest beef producing state, and a trending increase in exporting amongst several other Heartland states, Oklahoma witnessed a 41% decrease in shipment of meat products to China in 2021. Moreover, Oklahoma has a strong economic base in aviation, biotechnology, and energy, and is incredibly cost competitive for manufacturing. In addition, Oklahoma is a clean tech powerhouse, with expertise in geothermal, solar, and wind, and is also home to state-of-the-art hydrogen production facilities.

China has been making headlines in Oklahoma on account of concerns of Chinese nationals buying land in Oklahoma–part of a country-wide trend in closer monitoring of foreign land ownership. Oklahoma is one of six states banning foreign land ownership of farmland, whilst other states have tightened their own restrictions.

China ranks as Oklahoma’s second leading place of origin for international students in 2021, dropping from first place in 2021, with an estimated 826 students in attendance. This marks an estimated -22% decrease in enrollment of Chinese students from 2021 to 2022, and a -40% decrease from 2020 to 2022, due primarily to the lingering impact of COVID and travel restrictions to and from China. Oklahoma universities have historically strong ties, as the University of Oklahoma is home to a world-renowned China studies program, including the Institute for U.S.-China Issues. Oklahoma State University maintains dual degree programs with leading Chinese universities in the areas of fire safety, civil and environmental engineering, and agribusiness. OSU also hosted a visit by the Chinese Embassy in 2022 in recognition of these programs.

This data and content is updated periodically. The most recent update was January 2023.