(Trinidad Guardian)BRIDGETOWN—The Caribbean continues to have a huge trade imbalance with the US when imports and exports between the two trading partners are compared.
The US amassed US$22,838,950,392 in sales to the region in 2012 alone. In contrast, the North American country imported US$16,415,244,280 in products from the Caribbean last year, with the majority—over $6 billion—being petroleum and coal product and oil and gas. Apparel manufacturing and primary metals topped the $2 billion mark. Food and beverage manufacturers only exported over $400 and $300 million, respectively.
It was lower for those US purchases made under the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act with food manufacturers selling just over US$115 million. Imports on fish—fresh, chilled/frozen and other marine products—fared a bit better at $176,557,044. (Entire article)