Η.Π.Α.. Merchandise Import

International trade is an economic and political issue, but little is said about products the U.S. εισαγωγές. Most promoters of free trade talk about exports in detail and ignore import. Critics of trade talk in generalities about imports, but seldom mentioned which specific items they believe U.S. consumers should not be allowed to buy from sources outside the U.S.

Σύμφωνα με τις Η.Π.Α. Department of Commerce, the total value of merchandise imports in calendar year 2007 ήταν $1.954 τρισεκατομμύριο. The largest category was petroleum and mineral fuels at $361 δισεκατομμύριο, 18.5 percent of total merchandise imports. The next three categories are manufactured products which have received attention recently: general machinery at $250 δισεκατομμύριο, electrical equipment at $249 billion and vehicles at $214 δισεκατομμύριο, for a total of $713 δισεκατομμύριο, 36.5 percent of total merchandise imports. Apparel items are also high on the list at $75.6 δισεκατομμύριο, 3.9 percent of imports, as are chemicals at $59.5 δισεκατομμύριο, 3.0 τοις εκατό, and iron and steel and products at $57.2 δισεκατομμύριο, 2.9 τοις εκατό του συνόλου. Pharmaceuticals imports have been an issue lately and were $48.9 δισεκατομμύριο, 2.5 τοις εκατό του συνόλου. These eight categories account for $1.315 trillion of imports, 67.3 τοις εκατό του συνόλου.

A few other categories that make the news include precious stones and pearls at $47.6 δισεκατομμύριο, toys, games and sports equipment at $31.1 billion and footwear at $19.4 δισεκατομμύριο. Works of art, collectors’ pieces and antiques totaled $8.7 δισεκατομμύριο.

For the first time in 2007 China was the largest exporter to the U.S. στο $322 δισεκατομμύριο, 16.5 τοις εκατό των ΗΠΑ. merchandise imports, just edging out Canada at $313 δισεκατομμύριο, 16.0 τοις εκατό. Mexico was number three at $211 δισεκατομμύριο, 10.8 τοις εκατό, followed by Japan at $146 δισεκατομμύριο, 7.4 τοις εκατό, Germany at $94 δισεκατομμύριο, 4.8 τοις εκατό, the United Kingdom at $57 δισεκατομμύριο, 2.9 τοις εκατό, and South Korea at $48 δισεκατομμύριο, 2.4 τοις εκατό. Venezuela was number nine at $40.0 billion and Saudi Arabia number 11 στο $36 δισεκατομμύριο.

Major categories for imports from China in 2007 include electrical equipment at $76.7 δισεκατομμύριο, general machinery at $64.0 δισεκατομμύριο, toys, games and sports equipment at $26.1 billion and apparel at $24.0 δισεκατομμύριο. Pharmaceuticals were only $401 εκατομμύριο. Canada’s largest exports to the U.S. were petroleum and products at $78.7 δισεκατομμύριο, vehicles and parts at $60.4 billion and general machinery at $22.0 δισεκατομμύριο. From Mexico electrical equipment was highest at $54.9 δισεκατομμύριο, followed by petroleum and products at $34.1 billion and vehicles at $33.9 δισεκατομμύριο. Vehicles led imports from Japan at $56.4 billion followed by general machinery at $30.1 billion and electrical equipment at $21.8 δισεκατομμύριο. Vehicles also led in imports from Germany at $22.4 billion followed by general machinery at $20.8 billion and pharmaceuticals at $8.0 δισεκατομμύριο. South Korea looks like a developed country with electrical equipment exports to the U.S. στο $13.4 δισεκατομμύριο, vehicles at $10.6 and general machinery at $7.8 δισεκατομμύριο. Almost all of the imports from Venezuela and Saudi Arabia were petroleum and products.

According to USDA the U.S. imported $70.0 billion of agricultural products during fiscal year 2007, Οκτώβριος 1, 2006 μέχρι το Σεπτέμβριο 30, 2007, and is expected to import $76.5 billion this year. Imports were led by fruits and juices at $8.52 δισεκατομμύριο, beer and wine at $8.23 billion and vegetables at $7.28 δισεκατομμύριο. These three categories accounted for 34.1 percent of agricultural imports. Imported products not produced in the U.S. in significant volumes included coffee beans and products at $3.65 δισεκατομμύριο, cocoa and chocolate at $2.59 δισεκατομμύριο, essential oils at $2.48 billion and natural rubber at $2.09 δισεκατομμύριο. These four categories accounted for 15.4 percent of imports. Beef and veal imports were $3.39 billion and pork imports were $1.21 δισεκατομμύριο.

The EU-27 is the biggest source of agricultural imports for the U.S. στο $15.0 δισεκατομμύριο, 21.4 percent of imports, closely followed by Canada at $14.7 δισεκατομμύριο, 21.0 percent of imports. Mexico was third at $9.9 billion and 14.2 τοις εκατό. The next largest were China at $2.8 δισεκατομμύριο, 4.0 τοις εκατό, Australia at $2.6 δισεκατομμύριο, 3.7 τοις εκατό, and Brazil at $2.5 δισεκατομμύριο, 3.6 τοις εκατό. The EU’s biggest items were beer and wine at $4.8 billion and essential oils at $2.0 δισεκατομμύριο. Canada led with snack foods at $2.3 δισεκατομμύριο, live animals at $1.9 billion and red meats at $1.8 δισεκατομμύριο. Mexican imports to the U.S. were led by fresh vegetables at $2.7 δισεκατομμύριο, wine and beer at $1.7 billion and fresh fruits at $1.5 δισεκατομμύριο. China’s biggest category was processed fruits and vegetables at $706 εκατομμύριο.

Οι ΗΠΑ. generally imports goods from other developed countries. The major exceptions are petroleum where the U.S. imports from developing countries, Mexico which supplies 14 percent of agricultural imports and some industrial products and China which is a major supplier of machinery. Most of the other imported products can and are produced in most developed countries. Η.Π.Α.. consumers have chosen to access global supply chains, which is most evident in vehicles which are among the top three categories of imports from Canada, Μεξικό, Ιαπωνία, Germany and South Korea. Manufacturers have taken notice of U.S. Καταναλωτές’ choices in the supply chain and have spread out vehicle production, including in the U.S. The same is true for consumer electronics.

Bashing imports will continue to be a popular political activity this year, but it puts politicians at odds with U.S. consumers and voters who continue to access international supply chains for consumer goods to achieve the quality and affordability they seek. At some point consumers need to make their voices heard in the political marketplace if they are to continue to have the benefits of an open economic marketplace.