Asymmetries in Exports and Imports in the Americas: 1980 to 2005

This paper compares Exports and Imports in agricultural products, fuels & mining products, manufactures, and commercial services in the American countries involved in the NAFTA, and Mercosur-Andean trade agreements. Data on exports and imports between these countries and the world ranges from 1980 through 2005. This study traces the path of these relationships over a twenty-five year period and comments on the relationships of the net export gaps within these trade groups. Similarities and differences in export and import patterns are reported. In analyzing these 25 year trends, this paper underscores the asymmetries in trade that have occurred in these select countries in the Americas.