USA Trade Snapshot
Monday, April 18th, 2005 - 12:43 pm
This two-page table of year 2004 accounts with the USA’s major trading partners shows trade deficits increasing with most countries. It includes FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) data. It is appended to the 2005 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, released by the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
The annual report is mandated by law to inventory the most important foreign barriers affecting U.S. exports of goods and services, foreign direct investment by U.S. persons, and protection of intellectual property rights. The Report notes that, “The NTE covers significant barriers, whether they are consistent or inconsistent with international trading rules. Many barriers to U.S. exports are consistent with existing international trade agreements.”
- Canada’s sins are recounted on 13 pages, compared to:
- Australia 7pp
- Mexico 11pp
- Japan 45pp
- European Union 49pp
- China 58pp
Targeted Canadian barriers are mostly predictable - agricultural marketing boards, softwood lumber, film distribution - but also include the disparity between personal duty-free allowances.
Link to 2005 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers.
