South Dakota international linkages: an economic assessment

South Dakota is closely linked to the economies of the rest of the world. In this paper the authors provide a cursory economic assessment of various ways in which South Dakota is linked internationally by reporting on the state's exports and imports, listing industries and companies involved with international trade, and describing the main international trade routes relevant to the state. South Dakota's export-related employment is relatively high in a number of manufacturing industries. Further, South Dakota is the second most important exporting state of sunflower seed and oil, after North Dakota. South Dakota's 25 most important export commodities make up an estimated 59.3% of the total value of the state's exports. South Dakota is less connected to the global economy than are most other US states. International trade, foreign direct investment, international tourism, and other linkages between South Dakota individuals and organizations and their foreign counterparts provide largely positive economic benefits to the state.