The United States of America has been one of the UK's top five export markets since 1948. It is the UK's largest single market and is the leading destination for British investment overseas.

In May 2010, SCDI led a trade visit of twenty three Glasgow companies to New York and Boston on the largest-ever trade visit from the city to the USA. The companies took part in an intensive five-day programme aimed at informing them about the market in the Eastern seaboard of America, and ultimately identifying new customers and winning business.

The programme included, in New York, a trade briefing at the British Consulate-General, working meetings with Scottish Development International, a meeting with the international business director of the Mayor’s Office, and, in Boston, a trade briefing with local officials of HSBC Bank and a visit to Harvard Business School – as well as networking occasions where they met with key Scots operating in the New York and Boston and American businesses.

Following the trade visit, participants estimated business to be achieved over the following year to be over £200,000.

The United States remains Scotland's top export market, accounting for over £2bn of exports. Both cities offer excellent potential as markets in their own right with key sectors complementing the strength of offering from Glasgow businesses including, construction, education and training, life sciences, transport, and creative industries.