U.S. coal exports declined 11 per cent in the first half of 2025 due to reduced exports to China

This article was published by the US Energy Information Administration on Oct. 31, 2025.

By Jonathan Church

• According to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau in September, the United States exported 46.8 million short tons (MMst) of coal in the first half of 2025 (1H25), an 11 per cent decline from 1H24.
• Steam coal exports totalled 22.5 MMst, a 10 per cent decline from 1H24. Metallurgical coal exports totalled 24.2 MMst, a 13 per cent decline from 1H24.
• Reduced coal exports to China (4.4 MMst) accounted for 73 per cent of the decline in total U.S. net coal exports. China accounted for 76 per cent of the decline in metallurgical coal exports and 68 per cent of the decline in steam coal exports.
• U.S. exports to China decreased after China imposed a 15 per cent additional tariff on imports of U.S. coal in February and a 34 per cent reciprocal tariff on imports from the United States in April.
• The reduction in total coal exports also reflects a global market characterized by declining coal prices caused by ample supply and soft demand. Meanwhile, coal consumption in the U.S. electric power sector has risen due to more demand and higher natural gas prices.