RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/TPR/G/47
2 October 1998
(98-3770)
Trade Policy Review Body Original:  Spanish
TRADE POLICY REVIEW
ARGENTINA
Report by the Government
Pursuant to the Agreement Establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism
(Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade
Organization), the policy statement by the Government of Argentina is attached.
Note: This report is subject to restricted circulation and press embargo until the end of the meeting
of the Trade Policy Review Body on Argentina.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 3
CONTENTS
(1) INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 4
(2) STABILIZATION AND STRUCTURAL REFORM
POLICIES IN THE ARGENTINE ECONOMY
IN THE 1990 S........................................................................................................... 4
2.1 THE START OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC PROGRAMME ........................................... 4
2.2 OVERCOMING THE 1995 FINANCIAL CRISIS ............................................................. 5
2.3 CONSOLIDATION OF THE PROGRAMME .................................................................... 5
(3) ARGENTINA 'S TRADE POLICY ................................................................................. 6
3.1 TRADE POLICY OBJECTIVES . .................................................................................... 7
3.2 ARGENTINA IN MERCOSUR ....................................................................................... 8
3.3 ARGENTINA AND MERCOSUR 'S EXTERNAL
RELATIONS POLICY .................................................................................................. 10
3.3.1 MERCOSUR IN THE WTO ............................................................................... 10
3.3.2 MERCOSUR AND LAIA .................................................................................. 10
3.3.3 MERCOSUR AND THE FTAA .......................................................................... 11
3.3.4 MERCOSUR AND THE EUROPEAN UNION ..................................................... 11
3.4 ARGENTINA AND THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM  ....................................... . 11
3.4.1 ARGENTINA AND THE URUGUAY ROUND ..................................................... 11
3.4.2 PROSPECTS .................................................................................................. . 12
3.4.3 CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................. 13
(4) APPENDIX 1:  TABLES AND GRAPHS ...................................................................... 15
(5) APPENDIX 2:  EVOLUTION OF ARGENTINE
FOREIGN TRADE ..................................................................................................... 18WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
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TRADE POLICY REVIEW
ARGENTINA
Government Report
(1) INTRODUCTION
In the period since the last review of Argentina's trade policy (1992), the country has
consolidated price stability, implemented an acceler ated reform process and continued to cultivate its
external relations, particularly in the field of trade policy.
Markets in Argentina operate with full freedom, prices are set exclusively by the interaction
between supply and demand, and national treatment is fully applied.  The exchange market and capital
transfers have been decontrolled, there are no restri ctions on foreign investment and national treatment
is in full effect.  The autonomy of the Central Ba nk and growing fiscal di scipline are combined with
deregulated goods and services markets and the absence of non-tariff barriers in the field of trade policy.
In short, the process of reform of th e State and privatization is continuing.
The present report contains a brief discussion on these different aspects.
(2) STABILIZATION AND STRUCTURAL REFORM POLICIES IN THE ARGENTINE ECONOMY IN
THE 1990 S
2.1 THE START OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC PROGRAMME
Decades of nationalist economic policies, accompanied by growing fiscal deficits and extreme
protectionism, were the chief causes of the fall in per capita income levels and the rise in poverty.  Bad
economic policies also led to a wholesale flight of capital and rising debt and inflation, which
culminated in hyperinflation at the end of the 1980s.
Immediately after President Carlos S. Menem took office, a sweeping process of structural
reform and price stabilization began when Congre ss passed two fundamental laws in 1989:  (i) the
Government Reform Act which made it possible to  carry out a broad privatization programme that
eventually extended to gas and electric utilities and distributors, telecommunicati on, railway, airline, and
oil companies, etc.;  and (ii) the Economic Emergency Act which launched a deregulation programme
that covered a broad gamut of activities, including foreign investment, capital markets, national markets
for goods and services and government regulatory agencies.  Regulations governing interest rates,
foreign exchange controls, prices and wages were also removed.
The Convertibility Act, passed by Congress in Ap ril 1991, was crucial in consolidating the price
stabilization strategy.  Under that Act, the monetary  base is to be backed by foreign currency reserves
and gold, and the exchange rate has been set at one peso to the United States dollar.  The Act mirrors the
commitment of the Executive Branch and Congress to maintaining strict fiscal  discipline.  Under the
convertibility plan, economic adjustments are made  through price and wage mechanisms, which has
made it necessary to take steps to ensure that the economy behaves competitively.
Other laws and instruments that were important  in consolidating macroeconomic stability and
progress in structural reforms included:Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
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- The autonomy of the Central Bank through a new charter;
- a new tax policy, which is much simpler and more efficient;
- consolidation and restructuring of the internal and external public debt;
- lifting of barriers to foreign trade and membership in MERCOSUR;- reform of the social security system, ba sed on private pension fund administrators.
Argentina experienced an excellent combinati on of economic indicators in the four years
from 1991 to 1994, until the disruption caused by the intern ational financial problems that began at the
end of 1994.  Inflation in the consumer price i ndex plunged from 1,343 per cent in 1990 to just 3.9 per
cent in 1994 and growth in GDP averaged 8.5 per cent, dr iven by a rapid rise in investment and foreign
trade (Charts 1 and 2).
2.2 OVERCOMING THE 1995 FINANCIAL CRISIS
The speed-up in economic growth after the reform s described above was threatened by the crisis
of confidence at the end of 1994 following the devalu ation of the Mexican peso.  The visible impact of
this phenomenon in Argentina was the sharp drop in bank deposits, which led to a decline in funds
available for lending and an increase in interest rates.
The authorities decided to tackle these probl ems by deepening the stabilization strategy and
structural reforms.  Except for social programmes , public spending was brought down to levels that
could be financed with own resources and loans fro m international lending agencies.  The fiscal and
financial measures introduced to cope with the crisis  included:  (i) an increase of three points in the
value added tax;  (ii) establishment of a trust fund to finance mergers and absorptions of banks;  and
(iii) establishment of another trust fund fo r the privatization of provincial banks.
By the end of 1995, country risk and the spreads in domestic interest rates had declined
considerably (Chart 3).  However, the Govern ment continued to work on a second generation of
precautionary measures to consolidate the solvency  of the financial system, including opening up the
financial services sector to foreign investment a nd establishing a contingent line of credit (Contingent
Repo Facility) in the Central Bank of Argentina w ith foreign financial entities for up to US$6.1 billion
in cash.  Last December, the line of credit was increased by a further US$1.3 billion.
These and other measures have had a positive impact on consolidating the financial system,
including:  (i) the purchase of several private Argen tine banks by very solid foreign banks, with the
foreign banks together controlling 59.4 per cent of a ll private bank deposits; (ii) a reduction in the
number of banks from 168 before the crisis to 96 at present; and (iii) privatization of 19 of the
29 provincial State banks.
2.3 CONSOLIDATION OF THE PROGRAMME
After going through an adjustment proce ss in 1995, the economy began to grow again, at
4.8 per cent in 1996 and 8.6 per cent in 1997.  It was led increasingly by the rise in investment which,
after growing by 8.8 per cent in 1996, shot up to 26.5 per cent in 1997.
As a result of this vigorous growth in produc tion, the unemployment rate fell from a peak of
18.4 per cent in 1995 to 13.7 per cent in October 1997 (most recent data published by the National
Institute of Statistics and Censuses).  Poverty indexes declined once again in 1997.  While 38.3 per cent
of households in Greater Buenos Aires lived be low the poverty line in October 1989, by October 1997
the figure had dropped to 19 per cent.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
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The crisis on world markets caused by the problem s that appeared in  South-East Asia toward
the end of 1997 awoke fears that the process of econom ic growth would be interrupted again.  However,
eight months after the crisis the initial fears are bein g dispelled.  Even though the stock markets and, to a
lesser extent, the bond markets were not immune from the crisis, the behaviour of total deposits in the
financial system and gross international reserves ha s demonstrated the solidity of the reform programme
and the confidence vested in it.  For example,  last May, deposits exceeded 74 billion pesos
(United States dollars) and were 12.3 per cent higher  than before the South-East Asian crisis and
61.1 per cent higher than their levels prior to the Mexican crisis.
The strong inflows of private capital, which exceeded US$6 billion in 1997, have made it
possible to finance the current account deficit and build  up reserves.  The reopening of the international
lending market after Mexico’s exchange crisis had been surmounted made it possible to extend the terms
of new public debt issues, which averaged three y ears in 1994, to 10 years in 1997.  As for the cost of
financing, in mid-1997, the average lending spread was reduced to less than 200 basis points above non-
risk securities and although events in South-East Asia led to more expensive credit, in recent months
levels have gradually been falling back to their previous minimums (Chart 3).
Argentina has made major progress in the field of  taxes.  At the end of 1996, it adopted a series
of tax measures which, coupled with the increase in the level of activity and progress in curbing evasion,
led to a growth in tax revenues of 13 per cent.  In 1997, they reached an historical high of 48.588 billion
pesos or 52 billion if contributions to the pensi on fund administrators are included, which represent
income that the government relinquished when it re formed the pension system in 1994.  As a result of
these higher tax revenues and spending restraints, the Federal Government was able to bring its deficitdown from 6 billion pesos in 1996 to under 4.3 billion in 1997.  Today, it is complying with the
extended facility arrangement reached with the Intern ational Monetary Fund in February of this year to
cut back the Government's consolidated deficit to  under $3.5 billion in 1998, or the equivalent of about
1 per cent of GDP.
The Government is continuing to work on new programmes for structural reforms and
consolidation of stabilization, including:  (i) modern ization of tax policies;  (ii) additional measures to
achieve greater flexibility in the labour market;  (iii ) privatization of residual government assets such as
the National Petroleum Corporation, some communica tions services and the National Mortgage Bank;
and (iv) strict control over public spending.  The Government views these policies as absolutely
essential for maintaining and enhancing external openness of the economy.
In short, the significant stabilization measur es and structural reforms carried out during
President Menem's Government have done away with  inflation and, if the economy grows by 5.8 per
cent this year as projected in the national budget, GDP will have grown since 1990 at an average of6 per cent a year during a period when the country  surmounted two serious financial crises that
originated abroad.
(3) A
RGENTINA 'S TRADE POLICY
Since the first Trade Policy Review (1992), Ar gentina has deepened the structural reform
programme begun at the end of the 1980s, particularly in the area of trade liberalization and openness.
The programme to reduce tariffs and eliminate barriers to trade launched in 1988 was given a strongpush forward by the current administration, both unilaterally and through different regional and
multilateral negotiations, fully consistent with the obligations deriving from Membership in the GATT
and the World Trade Organization.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
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One of the keys to the process of growth descri bed above was the sharp increase in foreign trade
volumes.  Between 1990 and 1997, exports of goods doubled in value (from US$12.3 billion to
US$25.5 billion), for an average annual growth of 10.9 per cent (far higher than the 6.7 per cent rate of
growth in world trade).  For their part, imports grew from US$4.1 billion in 1990 to US$30.4 billion in1997, ranking Argentina among the economies that have experienced the largest rise in imports in recent
years (see WTO Press Communiqué No. 98 - Appendi x - Table 2).  Thus, leaving behind decades of
inward-looking development, our country has seen a considerable increase in the relative significance of
international trade flows and its share in them.
Since 1991, MERCOSUR has developed an essential role in international negotiations.  Based
on that recognition, MERCOSUR has gradually and pr ogressively become a reference point for the
South American countries.  Surmounting the inevitabl e difficulties implicit in the integration process,
MERCOSUR, through a well-understood concept of regi onalism, is one of the main tools that our
countries can use to address the challenges of a gl obalized economy.  By way of example, trade flows
between the member countries have grown fivefold t hus far in this decade and economic agents now see
the regional market as a permanent and strategic reality.  These developments constitute one of the key
factors in attracting investments.  MERCOSUR's im ports from outside the zone have grown rapidly as
well.
Opening up our economy to foreign direct inve stment (FDI) has been another pillar of the
reform.  Flows quadrupled between 1990 and 1997, turning Argentina into one of the main receivers of
FDI among the developing countries.  By the e nd of 1996, accrued foreign di rect investment flows
(1990 to 1996) amounted to more than US$22.4 billion, making Argentina the third largest recipient of
FDI among the developing nations, after Malaysia and Mexico.  Although the privatization process
explained a large part of those flows in the early y ears of the decade, the completion of the bulk of the
process (around 1993/1994) did not lead to a drop in fo reign investment.  On the contrary, the flows
acquired new impetus and it is generally agreed that in the coming years their relative importance in the
national economy will grow even more.
3.1 TRADE POLICY OBJECTIVES
Argentina's trade policy includes an autonomous  process of liberalization, participation in
regional integration under MERCOSUR and active and full participation in the multilateral trading
system.
The core trade policy objective is integrati on of the national economy into international
economic relations.  To that end, the opening up a nd liberalization of import and export trade and the
treatment of foreign investment have been and con tinue to be the pivotal elements in the period under
review.
Liberalization of the economy is a component of the structural reforms that are being deepened
and consolidated under the Convertibility Plan.  This li beralization consists essentially of the elimination
of all barriers or obstacles to exports and imports of goods and services, coupled with the free entry and
exit of capital.  The restructuring of the production of goods and services that was promoted under the
Argentina's structural reform was intended to prov ide the country with the capacity to compete on the
global and regional levels.
Autonomous liberalization began at the end of the 1980s, with a unilateral reduction in import
duties and the gradual elimination of different mechan isms that directly or indirectly obstructed import
and export operations.  In 1991, through applica tion of Decree 2284/91 on economic deregulation inWT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
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particular, a number of instruments for State inte rvention in foreign trade which constituted non-tariff
barriers to imports and exports were eliminated.
Consistent with this process of autonomous liberalization, major steps were taken toward
subregional integration under MERCOSUR.  The integration process that began in 1991 was
strengthened with the signature of the Ouro Pret o Protocol in December 1994 and the introduction of the
customs union.  MERCOSUR signed trade agreements  with Chile and Bolivia and began negotiations
with the Andean Community.
MERCOSUR also signed a framework agreement with  the European Union.  It is participating
actively in building the FTAA and is attempting to  forge closer ties with other geographic areas,
particularly South-East Asia.
Reaffirmation of the full consistency of Arge ntina's trade policy w ith the rules of the
multilateral trading system is essential for assuring th at the country's economy will be able to integrate
into the world market without contradictions or backtracking.
MERCOSUR's objective of maintaining economies  that are open to external competition
coincides with the WTO's own objectives of en suring growth through mutually advantageous
understandings intended to eliminate discriminatory tr eatment in international trade and to substantially
reduce tariffs and other barriers to trade in goods and services.
3.2 ARGENTINA IN MERCOSUR
Regional integration is a suitable tool for promoting specialization in a given economic space by
expanding the market and the ensuing benefits.
The expanded economic space under MERCOSUR has a population of 200 million, a GDP of
US$1.250 billion, and an area of 12 million square kilome tres.  The four member countries cover 70 per
cent of South America and contai n 64 per cent of its population.
MERCOSUR is based on the strategy of consolidating the democracies in the region,
productive transformation, and competitive positioning in the world economy.  Unlike other integrationschemes that existed in the past, MERCOSUR was not conceived as a closed-ended process but as a tool
for boosting the capacity of its member States to partic ipate actively in international markets.  Thus, first
and foremost, MERCOSUR is a platform for connecting to the rest of the world (final objective), and
not for creating an isolated internal market (instr ument).  The idea is to maximize the benefits of
intraregional integration in a context of open regionalism.
The main indicators used to track the evoluti on of trade show that the objective of opening
economies up to external competition, thus ensuring th at resources are allocated in response to price
signals that closely resemble those that ap ply on the world market, is being attained.
MERCOSUR was created by the Treaty of As unción on 26 March 1991 as a response to the
growing globalization of the international economy, and forms part of the trend toward liberalized trade
throughout the entire American hemisphere.  It has two purposes:  (1) to establish a common market
with free circulation of goods, services, and producti on factors among its member countries;  and (2) to
facilitate competitive integration into the world economy.
The meeting of the Common Market Council (the  body that determines MERCOSUR policy) in
December 1994 at Ouro Preto, Brazil, declared that  the transition period had ended and establishedArgentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 9
completion of the customs union and construction of a common market as the objectives for the new
stage of MERCOSUR, organizing the institutional framework that continues to exist today.
The customs union was launched on 1 January 1995, when the common external tariff (CET)
and the common MERCOSUR trade policy came into e ffect, reflecting the political will of the States
Parties to liberalize trade flows by offering an expanded economic space, with transparent rules for
investors from within the zone and from the rest of the world.
Under Article 5 of the Treaty of Asunción, the function of the CET is to encourage foreign
competitiveness of the States Parties, through lower and less dispersed tariffs.
The CET is structured into 11 tariff levels and includes progressive steps of two percentage
points each, ranging from 0 to 20 per cent, with excepti ons that will eventually be brought up or down to
converge with the CET, within  different time frames depending on the goods and the country.
General exceptions were allowed for 300 products (399 for Paraguay) and will be eliminated in
the year 2001 (except for Paraguay, which will eliminate them in 2006).
In the case of capital goods, Argentina and Brazil will gradually converge with a 14 per cent
CET in 2001 (Argentina from 10 per cent and Brazil fro m 20/24 per cent, both in 1995).  Paraguay and
Uruguay have five more years to complete their convergence.
In the case of computer and telecommunications equipment, the level is 16 per cent, to be
achieved through an integration scheme by 2006.
Automotive products are subject to specia l regimes under Common Market Council (CMC)
Decision 29/94 and will c onform to the common regime on 1 January  2000.  A special regime also
applies to the sugar sector under CMC Decision 19/94, which will be liberalized on 1 January 2001.
The customs union will be completed in 2001 (2006 for the exceptions mentioned) after a six-
year period during which the exceptions will be made to converge at the agreed levels.
The free trade zone, which was virtually completed on 31 December 1994, and the process of
building the customs union, which began on 1 January 1995, are intended to guarantee competition
between the products and services of the States Parties.   In this connection the objective of the CET is to
promote improved allocation of resources throug h international price signals stemming from the
liberalization process.
The common trade policy, whose design and implementation was begun on 11 January 1995, is
crucial for achieving the objectives of the customs union.  The instruments of this common policy cover
a broad range of issues relating to trade in goods, su ch as import duties, rules of origin, trade rules and
disciplines, non-tariff barriers, trade protection mechanisms, etc.
To harmonize trade policies, it was decided to establish the Trade Commission and to define its
main responsibilities.  The Commission is responsible  for supervising the operation of the common trade
policy instruments and hearing trade complaints.  In par ticular, it is responsible for issues relating to the
CET, nomenclature and administrative rules for trade, the final adjustment system, rules of origin, free
zones, elimination and harmonization of non-tariff barriers, the customs code, guidelines for
harmonizing export incentives, guidelines on unfair trading practices and competition safeguards and
protection.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 10
The short-term objectives defined in the MERCOSUR 2000 Action Plan approved on
7 December 1995 cover the tasks involved in developing and consolidating the integration process.  On
the internal level, MERCOSUR is called upon to cons olidate the customs union - including all sectors
and products - by eliminating every obstacle to th e free circulation of goods and defining a common
policy for the services sector and government proc urement prior to negotiations on the hemispheric and
international levels.  In December 1997, the CMC a pproved a services protocol and is currently
negotiating the initial commitments under the agreem ent.  It also established an ad hoc group on
government procurement, with the mandate of designing a common regime for MERCOSUR.  Actions
to eliminate non-tariff barriers and harmonize national rules were stepped up in 1997 and 1998.
3.3 ARGENTINA AND MERCOSUR'S EXTERNAL RELATIONS POLICY
As a result of its initial momentum, MERCOSUR has won political and economic recognition
in regional and international circles.  With a view  to participating in the international economy under
competitive conditions, MERCOSUR has undertaken negotiations to liberalize trade under the
frameworks of LAIA, the future FTAA, the WTO and th e EU.  It has also begun discussions with the
Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Austra lia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Russia, and
countries in southern Africa.
3.3.1 MERCOSUR IN THE WTO
In the relations between MERCOSUR and the WTO, the members of MERCOSUR have had
and continue to have substantial interest in the gradual and progressive liberalization of trade and in
strengthening the institutions of  the multilateral trading system.
In reaffirmation of the linkage between regionalism and the multilateral trading system,
ratification of the commitments assumed by the members of MERCOSUR in the Uruguay Round,
which was completed in April 1994, is an indicator of  their will to comply with the objectives on the
regional and multilateral fronts.  The States Parties bound all the headings for imports of goods with a
moderate tariff ceiling that defines maximum prot ection levels.  The CET provides for a maximum
import duty of 20 per cent, which is consistent with MERCOSUR's position in multilateral forums that
regional integration is a positive contribution to liberalization and expansion of trade in goods and
services.
3.3.2 MERCOSUR AND LAIA
Negotiations were initiated in 1994 and 1995 with  all the LAIA countries with which the
different members of MERCOSUR had bilateral agreem ents that granted trade preferences for a series
of goods.
As a result of those negotiations, free trade agreements were concluded with Chile and Bolivia
in June 1996 and December 1996, respectively.  Both agreements envisage establishment of a free trade
zone within 10 years, through a tariff liberalizati on programme for products originating in the parties
and through the applicable trade disciplines.
MERCOSUR is holding talks with the other members of LAIA, with a view to multilateralizing
the trade preferences contained in the bilatera l agreements between the different members of
MERCOSUR and the LAIA countries.  In that context, a framework agreement was signed with the
Andean Community in April 1998.  It calls for completion of the first stage of negotiations by
30 September 1998, and negotiation of a free trade agreement to be concluded on 31 December 1999.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 11
3.3.3 MERCOSUR AND THE FTAA
Argentina has always played an active ro le in the FTAA through increasingly close
coordination in MERCOSUR, given the will and need to act as a bloc in the hemispheric negotiations.MERCOSUR has facilitated the discussion of idea s and proposals through formal presentations on
concrete aspects, such as what to negotiate, wh en, and under what conditions.  Within MERCOSUR and
with respect to the countries of the hemisphere, Ar gentina has maintained a constructive attitude, with a
view to promoting beneficial results for all pa rties under the FTAA.  Negotiations were formally
launched at the Hemispheric Summit in Santiago, Chile (April 1998) and the negotiating groups begantheir work in September 1998.
3.3.4 MERCOSUR AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
Relations with the European Union began after the Treaty of Asunción came into effect and an
institutional cooperation agreement was signed on 20 May 1992.
Relations between the two customs unions became closer in the period 1992-1994 and a
working agenda was designed to make progress in liberalizing reciprocal trade.  A framework
agreement on interregional cooperation was signed in December 1995, whose objective is to pave theway for the creation of an interregional free trade association.  Activities up to the first half of 1998
focussed on preparing a situation table on trade relations in both regional blocs, covering the areas of
goods, services and trade disciplines.
3.4 ARGENTINA AND THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM3.4.1 ARGENTINA AND THE URUGUAY ROUND
On the multilateral front, Argentina participated actively in the Uruguay Round negotiations,
with the objective of achieving concrete results in terms of effective access to markets and designing a
new framework of multilateral rules that would be broader and more highly developed than the one that
applied under GATT.
From the Argentine standpoint, the ultimate purpose of the Uruguay Round was to build a
stronger multilateral trading system with single rules, which would be global, equitable, non-
discriminatory and capable of assuring full particip ation by all the system's Members, with balanced
respect for the variety of trading interests that form part of an indivisible negotiating agenda.
Argentina is firmly convinced that the new structure of the multilateral trading system, as
reflected in the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization, will help to bring about general
economic well being.
Adoption of the results of the Uruguay Round, which are included in Argentina's constitution
and rank higher than its domestic laws since they are international treaties , reflects a binding
commitment by our country that guarantees a high level of legal certainty for all the Members of the
system.
Argentina applies its commitments under the Urug uay Round consistently and fully in all the
areas that were negotiated.  Trade policy has automatically moved in this same direction, on the
understanding that a stronger multilateral system will a llow for better participation in the international
economy.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 12
At the same time, stepped up international participation and support for the commitments
stemming from it constitute adequate guarantees for the process of internal transformation.  This, in turn,
has its own momentum which is needed to impr ove the response of the domestic economy to the
demands of international scenarios that are incr easingly open to competition as a result of trade
liberalization and globalization of the economy.
In this context of multilateral liberalization born of the Uruguay Round, Argentina has made a
significant contribution to impr oving market access by binding, in ad valorem  terms, its entire tariff
universe for goods and a significant schedule of conc essions in services, one of the most open schedules
presented at the Uruguay Round negotiations on services.  This contribution will be substantially
enhanced in future, with the entry into effect of  the commitments regarding basic telecommunications,
which cover a broad spectrum of activities in a grow ing market that offers full freedom for foreign
investment.
3.4.2 PROSPECTS
The Second Ministerial Conference held in May 1998 in Geneva marks a significant milestone
in maintaining the impetus and c ontinuity of the multilateral trade liberalization process begun during
the Uruguay Round and ratified at the First Minist erial Conference in Singapore at the end of 1996.
The process, which will continue until the next ex traordinary meeting to be held by the General
Council in September 1998, should lay the groundwork and fine-tune the procedures to enable the Third
Ministerial Conference to quickly launch a broad a nd comprehensive programme of negotiations.  This
process should lead steadily to the creati on of new and broader opportunities for production,
employment and trade for all the Members of WTO.
All issues must be addressed, without excepti on.  The inclusion of new negotiating subjects
should be based on two pr imordial conditions:  consensus  and balance .
Consensus  ensures that agreements can actually be complied with, while balance  permits
understandings to be arrived at on the basis of shar ed objectives.  This is counterpoised with sector
negotiations which, by definition, have an intrinsic bias which ends by benefiting a limited number of
Members.  Therefore, isolated and/or hasty treat ment of certain issues, which must necessarily be
included in global negotiations on an equal footing with the rest of the agenda, is not desirable.
Our country believes that the work of revision pr ovided for under existing agreements and in the
decisions adopted in Singapore s hould continue in a constructive vein, but respecting the agendas
already established and without creating advantageous  or artificial priorities for any Member or group of
Members, or with respect to particular issues.  No  one should be excluded or obtain premature sectoral
benefits.  No mandated negotiations should be held hos tage to other decisions, since that would increase
the cost of the rights and obligations already negotiated and agreed upon in the past.
In the field of agriculture , Argentina will continue to promote further liberalization of trade in
multilateral forums, in coordination with trading partners with whom it shares common positions.
Future negotiations on agriculture should begin at the time planned in the agreement and should
not be unnecessarily conflictive, so that the Third Mi nisterial Conference can be held by the end of 1999
without setbacks.
Negotiations should cover the entire agricultural s ector and be constructive;  in other words, no
legitimate issue related to the reform process launched during the Uruguay Round should be excluded.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 13
In other areas for discussion in the multilateral sphere, our country maintains a position open to
debate and to formal discussion of it ems already on the agenda and new items.
With respect to regionalism, much remains to be done to complement and confer consistency on
the interaction between regionalism and the multilate ral trading system.  The linkage between regional
and multilateral rules is a fundamental step in prov iding greater solidity for WTO.  Furthermore, the
World Trade Organization is reinsurance for integrating the different processes under way.
As to sustainable development, trade and the en vironment should mutually reinforce each other.
It is important to begin with instances that bring dual benefits, i.e. the adoption of measures which make
for freer trade while improving the environment.  Th e removal of subsidies which distort international
prices - as in the case of agriculture - is a c oncrete example of turning Principle 16 of the Rio
Declaration into a reality, since "mistaken" prices ma ke it impossible to take decisions that are good for
the environment.  Nonetheless, envi ronmental protection should not be used as an excuse for old or new
types of production subsidies.
Argentina believes that the dispute settlement sy stem is one of the pillars of WTO and that it
generally satisfies the expectations of the Member s.  It only requires opera tional fine-tuning, including
the adjustment of certain provisions through further in terpretation of some of the rules.  The adjustments
would not be complete without improving the repres entativeness and balance of the Secretariat's legal
services through staff that is properly trained in the different legal systems or schools that coexist in the
world.  The process of universalizing WTO, whic h followed on the conclusion of the Uruguay Round
and which is being continually enriched with the accession of new Members, should also be reflected in
greater representation of the different  currents of universal legal thought.
It is also important to bolster technical cooperati on in this area, since safeguarding specific trade
interests increasingly requires specialized, up-to-date, and detailed legal knowledge which, in turn,
creates a growing need for qualified human resources.
The establishment of a dispute settlement m echanism based on the principles of fairness,
procedural dispatch, efficiency and mutual acceptance by the States involved in a dispute has been one
of the greatest contributions of the Uruguay Round to the multilateral trading system.
However, its importance as a key tool of the WTO should not be allowed to obscure the basic
fact that in this system, a dispute is a deviation from the proper functioning of the agreed disciplines.
The WTO should look to the future and not base its very existence on the dispute settlement mechanism,since the future cannot be built on the basis of disputes .  The greater the consensus  achieved and the
greater the progress toward liberalization, the less the need to turn to dispute settlement as a means of
ensuring full adherence to the principl es of the multilateral trading system.
3.4.3 CONCLUSIONS
Looking to the future, Argentina's economic performance is linked to the entrenchment of
international disciplines that assure  progress toward free trade.  The st ructural reforms to the Argentine
economy have made for a very significant increase in the interrelations between our economy and the
rest of the world.  However, foreign trade's share in GDP continues to be small (less than 10 per cent for
exports and imports alike) and foreign investment's  contribution to gross capital formation continues to
be at relatively low levels.  This phenomenon is one more example of the importance and potential of
our economy in the field of foreign trade and investment.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 14
Therefore, and with the goal of attaining the growth and development objectives of the national
economy, it is necessary to improve - in quantity a nd quality - Argentina's integration into the world
economy.  Consequently, our country will continue to play a constructive role in negotiations under
WTO, with the firm purpose of ensuring that they take adequate account of national and regional
interests.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 15
(4) APPENDIX 1:  TABLES AND CHARTS
Table 1
Selected macroeconomic indicators
Chart 1
Evolution of GDP
Chart 2
Annual rate of change of the consumer price index
Chart 3
Country risk premiumWT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 16
Table 1
SELECTED MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS
Unit 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Gross domestic product Annual % var. -1.8 10.6 9.6 5.7 8.0 -4.0 4.8 8.6
Gross domestic fixed
investmentAnnual % var. -16.8 29.9 32.6 15.3 20.7 16.0 8.8 26.5
Consumer price index % var. dec./dec. 1,343.9 84.0 17.5 7.4 3.9 1.6 0.1 0.3
Exports $ million 12,352 11,978 12,235 13,118 15,839 20,963 23,811 25.15
Imports $ million 4,077 8,275 14,872 16,784 21,590 20,122 23,762 30,350
Dual-currency deposits $ million 6,260 14,624 24,407 37,863 44,940 42,605 52,758 6,025
International reserves US$ million 6.10 8,974 12,496 17,223 17,930 18,506 21,539 24,308
Interest rates 30-day $ deposits % annual 148.3 19.8 25.3 8.7 9.6 9.2 7.6 8.3
Chart 1
EVOLUTION OF GDP
Rate of change
-1.9
-6.9-1.810.6
9.6
5.78.0
-4.04.88.6
-8.0-6.0-4.0-2.00.02.04.06.08.010.012.0
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997% annualArgentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 17
Chart 2
ANNUAL RATE OF CHANGE OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
December/December, in %
84.0
17.5
7.4
3.9
1.60.1 0.3
0.010.020.030.040.050.060.070.080.090.0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997% annual
Chart 3
COUNTRY RISK PREMIUM
FRB spread
2004006008001000120014001600
In
J-
94MM J LSNI n
J-
95MM J LSNI n
J-
96MM J LSNI n
J-
97MMJ LS NI n
J-
98MMBase points1590Impact of
Mexican crisis
Asian financial
crisis
563
431WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 18
(5) APPENDIX 2:  EVOLUTION OF ARGENTINE FOREIGN TRADE
Table 1
Foreign trade in millions of dollars
Table 2
Argentine foreign trade by HS section, in millions of dollars
Table 3
Argentine foreign trade by HS section, percentage share of each section in the total
Table 4
Argentine foreign trade by HS section, percentage change over the previous year
Table 5
Argentine foreign trade by economic bloc, in millions of dollars, share of total and percentage change
over previous year
Table 6
Foreign trade by country, in millions of dollars
Table 7
Foreign trade by main HS section and by main economic bloc, in millions of dollars
Table 8
Exports by main chapter, trading bloc and country, in millions of dollars
Table 9
Imports by main chapter, trading bloc and country, in millions of dollarsArgentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 19
Table 1
ARGENTINA
FOREIGN TRADE
(millions of dollars)
YEAR EXPORTS IMPORTS BALANCE
Value % var. Value  % var. Value
1984 8,102 - - - 4,585 - - - 3,518
1985 8,391 3.6% 3,814 -16.8% 4,577
1986 6,846 -18.4% 4,724 23.9% 2,122
1987 6,355 -7.2% 5,808 23.0% 547
1988 9,131 43.7% 5,322 -8.4% 3,810
1989 9,579 4.9% 4,203 -21.0% 5,376
1990 12,353 29.0% 4,077 -3.0% 8,276
1991 11,978 -3.0% 8,275 103.0% 3,702
1992 12,235 2.1% 14,872 79.7% -2,637
1993 13,118 7.2% 16,784 12.9% -3,666
1994 15,839 20.7% 21,590 28.6% -5,751
1995 20,963 32.3% 20,122 -6.8% 841
1996 23,811 13.6% 23,762 18.1% 49
1997 25,515 7.2% 30,350 27.7% -4,834
Source: INDEC.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 20
Table  2
ARGENTINA
FOREIGN TRADE BY HS SECTION
(Millions of dollars)
No. HS SECTION 1993 1994 1995
EXP IMP BALANCE EXP IMP BALANCE EXP IMP BALANCE
0 S a m p l e s 1 1 1 - 1 0 02 - 1 11 0
I Live animals;  animal products 1.274 243 1,031 1,558 254 1,304 2,132 203 1,929
II Vegetable products 2,701 273 2,428 2,974 346 2,629 3,624 382 3,242
III Animal or vegetable fats and oils 1,079 19 1,059 1,534 25 1,509 2,097 32 2,065
IV Foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco and tobacco
substitutes2,242 455 1,787 2,190 595 1,595 2,637 587 2,050
V Mineral products 1,258 565 693 1,679 818 860 2,208 1,063 1,145
VI Products of the chemical or allied industries 632 2,017 -1,385 808 2,594 -1,786 1,070 3,035 -1,965
VII Plastics, rubber and articles thereof 188 934 -746 263 1,115 -853 470 1,314 -844
VIII Raw hides and skins, and saddlery 738 36 703 922 45 878 1,075 44 1,031
IX Wood, wood charcoal and cork and articles
thereof33 111 -78 61 140 -79 104 116 -12
X Pulp of wood, paper and paperboard 150 587 -437 202 697 -495 414 899 -485
XI Textiles and textile articles 336 811 -475 577 830 -253 1,022 705 317
XII Footwear, hats and other headgear 93 165 -73 87 178 -91 111 139 -28
XIII Articles of stone, glass and ceramics 79 175 -97 71 226 -155 110 208 -98
XIV Pearls, precious metals and articles thereof 52 22 30 252 32 220 23 30 -7
XV Base metals and articles thereof 702 960 -257 760 1,280 -520 1,214 1,352 -138
XVI Machinery and mechanical appliances;
electrical equipment, etc.755 5,814 -5,059 867 7,446 -6,580 983 6,493 -5,510
XVII Transport equipment 719 2,686 -1,966 918 3,794 -2,876 1,308 2,489 -1,181
XVIII Optical and photographic instruments, etc. 47 536 -489 69 708 -639 261 602 -342
XIX Arms and ammunition 4 17 -12 8 14 -6 5 10 -4
XX Miscellaneous manufactured articles 36 347 -311 38 449 -410 95 417 -322
XXI Works of art and antiques 0 1 -1 0 2 -2 1 1 0
Ships' stores - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
TOTAL 13,118 16,784 -3,666 15,839 21,590 -5,751 20,963 20,122 841
Source: INDEC.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 21
Table 2 (cont'd)
ARGENTINAFOREIGN TRADE BY HS SECTION
(Millions of dollars)
No. HS SECTION 1996 1997
EXP IMP BALANCE EXP IMP BALANCE
0 S a m p l e s 110110
I Live animals;  animal products 2,164 265 1,899 2,148 334 1,813
II Vegetable products 4,540 456 4,084 4,483 733 3,749
III Animal or vegetable fats and oils 1,890 40 1,850 2,185 54 2,131
IV Foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco and tobacco
substitutes3,827 548 3,279 3,846 635 3,211
V Mineral products 3,136 1,111 2,025 3,167 1,168 1,998
VI Products of the chemical or allied industries 1,085 3,729 -2,644 1,208 4,025 -2,817
VII Plastics, rubber and articles thereof 469 1,519 -1,049 444 1,925 -1,481
VIII Raw hides and skins, and saddlery 1,036 69 967 1,077 82 995
IX Wood, wood charcoal and cork and articles thereof 127 135 -8 132 176 -44
X Pulp of wood, paper and paperboard 378 936 -558 379 1,136 -757
XI Textiles and textile articles 990 872 118 832 1,063 -232
XII Footwear, hats and other headgear 75 153 -78 93 203 -110
XIII Articles of stone, glass and ceramics 107 254 -147 110 321 -211
XIV Pearls, precious metals and articles thereof 5 15 -10 4 16 -12
XV Base metals and articles thereof 1,190 1,461 -271 1,288 2,046 -758
XVI Machinery and mechanical appliances;  electrical
equipment, etc,962 7,552 -6,590 1,107 9,934 -8,826
XVII Transport equipment 1,642 3,435 -1,793 2,558 4,945 -2,387
XVIII Optical and photographic instruments, etc, 52 708 -656 69 868 -799
XIX Arms and ammunition 6 12 -6 5 15 -10
XX Miscellaneous manufactured articles 127 488 -361 133 572 -440
XXI Works of art and antiques 1 1 -1 1 2 -1
Ships' stores - - - - - - - - - 247 0 247
TOTAL 23,811 23,762 49 25,515 30,350 -4,834
Source: INDEC.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 22
Table 3
ARGENTINA
FOREIGN TRADE BY HS SECTION
(Percentage share of each section in the total)
No. HS SECTION 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
EXP IMP EXP IMP EXP IMP EXP IMP EXP IMP
0S a m p l e s 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
I Live animals;  animal
products 9.7% 1.4% 9.8% 1.2% 10.2% 1.0% 9.1% 1.1% 8.4% 1.1%
II Vegetable products 20.6% 1.6% 18.8% 1.6% 17.3% 1.9% 19.1% 1.9% 17.6% 2.4%
III Animal or vegetable
fats and oils 8.2% 0.1% 9.7% 0.1% 10.0% 0.2% 7.9% 0.2% 8.6% 0.2%
IV Foodstuffs, beverages,
tobacco and tobaccosubstitutes 17.1% 2.7% 13.8% 2.8% 12.6% 2.9% 16.1% 2.3% 15.1%2.1%
V Mineral products 9.6% 3.4% 10.6% 3.8% 10.5% 5.3% 13.2% 4.7% 12.4% 3.8%
VI Products of the
chemical or allied
industries 4.8% 12.0% 5.1% 12.0% 5.1% 15.1% 4.6% 15.7% 4.7% 13.3%
VII Plastics, rubber and
articles thereof 1.4% 5.6% 1.7% 5.2% 2.2% 6.5% 2.0% 6.4% 1.7% 6.3%
VIII Raw hides and skins,
and saddlery 5.6% 0.2% 5.8% 0.2% 5.1% 0.2% 4.4% 0.3% 4.2% 0.3%
IX Wood, wood charcoal
and cork and articlesthereof 0.3% 0.7% 0.4% 0.6% 0.5% 0.6% 0.5% 0.6% 0.5% 0.6%
X Pulp of wood, paper
and paperboard 1.1% 3.5% 1.3% 3.2% 2.0% 4.5% 1.6% 3.9% 1.5% 3.7%
XI Textiles and textile
articles 2.6% 4.8% 3.6% 3.8% 4.9% 3.5% 4.2% 3.7% 3.3% 3.5%
XII Footwear, hats and
other headgear 0.7% 1.0% 0.6% 0.8% 0.5% 0.7% 0.3% 0.6% 0.4% 0.7%
XIII Articles of stone, glass
and ceramics 0.6% 1.0% 0.4% 1.0% 0.5% 1.0% 0.4% 1.1% 0.4% 1.1%
XIV Pearls, precious metals
and articles thereof 0.4% 0.1% 1.6% 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.1%
XV Base metals and
articles thereof 5.4% 5.7% 4.8% 5.9% 5.8% 6.7% 5.0% 6.1% 5.0% 6.7%
XVI Machinery and
mechanical appliances;
electrical equipment,
etc. 5.8% 34.6% 5.5% 34.5% 4.7% 32.3% 4.0% 31.8% 4.3% 32.7%
XVII Transport equipment 5.5% 16.0% 5.8% 17.6% 6.2% 12.4% 6.9% 14.5% 10.0% 16.3%
XVIII Optical and
photographic
instruments, etc. 0.4% 3.2% 0.4% 3.3% 1.2% 3.0% 0.2% 3.0% 0.3% 2.9%
XIX Arms and ammunition 0.0% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.1%
XX Miscellaneous
manufactured articles 0.3% 2.1% 0.2% 2.1% 0.5% 2.1% 0.5% 2.1% 0.5% 1.9%
XXI Works of art and
antiques 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Ships' stores 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.0% 0.0%
TOTAL 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Source: INDEC.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 23
Table 4
ARGENTINA
ARGENTINE FOREIGN TRADE BY HS SECTION
(Percentage change over previous year)
No. HS SECTION 1994 1995 1996 1997
EXP IMP EXP IMP EXP IMP EXP IMP
0S a m p l e s -12.1% -83.4% 104.9% -39.5% 48.1% -13.8% -15.2% -15.0%
I Live animals;  animal products 22.3% 4.6% 36.8% -20.1% 1.5% 30.7% -0.8% 26.1%
II Vegetable products 10.1% 26.6% 21.8% 10.6% 25.3% 19.4% -1.3% 60.8%
III Animal or vegetable fats and oils 42.2% 30.8% 36.7% 27.1% -9.9% 26.0% 15.6% 35.0%
IV Foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco and
tobacco substitutes -2.3% 30.7% 20.4% -1.4% 45.2% -6.5% 0.5% 15.8%
V Mineral products 33.5% 44.9% 31.5% 29.9% 42.0% 4.5% 1.0% 5.1%
VI Products of the chemical or allied
industries 27.9% 28.6% 32.4% 17.0% 1.4% 22.9% 11.3% 7.9%
VII Plastics, rubber and articles thereof 40.0% 19.4% 78.8% 17.8% 0.0% 15.6% -5.5% 26.7%
VIII Raw hides and skins, and saddlery 25.0% 25.8% 16.5% -1.5% -3.6% 57.3% 4.0% 18.0%
IX Wood, wood charcoal and cork and
articles thereof 85.3% 26.7% 70.3% -17.1% 22.1% 15.9% 4.3% 30.8%
X Pulp of wood, paper and paperboard 35.2% 18.8% 104.4% 28.9% -8.7% 4.1% 0.2% 21.4%
XI Textiles and textile articles 71.5% 2.3% 77.1% -15.1% -3.1% 23.8% -16.0% 21.9%
XII Footwear, hats and other headgear -5.5% 7.8% 26.9% -22.1% -32.5% 9.9% 24.7% 33.1%
XIII Articles of stone, glass and ceramics -10.0% 29.0% 54.9% -8.3% -2.8% 22.4% 3.4% 26.3%
XIV Pearls, precious metals and articles
thereof 384.2% 44.1% -90.8% -5.2% -78.6% -49.4% -25.2% 1.2%
XV Base metals and articles thereof 8.1% 33.4% 59.8% 5.6% -2.0% 8.1% 8.2% 40.0%
XVI Machinery and mechanical
appliances;  electrical equipment, etc. 14.8% 28.1% 13.4% -12.8% -2.2% 16.3% 15.2% 31.5%
XVIITransport equipment
27.6% 41.3% 42.4% -34.4% 25.5% 38.0% 55.8% 44.0%
XVIIIOptical and photographic
instruments, etc. 46.9% 32.1% 276.6% -14.9% -80.1% 17.5% 32.9% 22.6%
XIX Arms and ammunition 83.8% -17.1% -33.0% -29.9% 8.0% 25.8% -19.6% 25.1%
XX Miscellaneous manufactured articles 6.6% 29.2% 148.3% -7.0% 33.9% 17.0% 4.5% 17.2%
XXI Works of art and antiques -51.7% 112.6% 610.8% -40.6% 4.6% 22.8% 126.8% 52.7%
Ships' stores - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
TOTAL 20.7% 28.6% 32.3% -6.8% 13.6% 18.1% 7.2% 27.7%
Source: INDEC.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 24
Table 5
ARGENTINA
FOREIGN TRADE BY ECONOMIC BLOC
(Millions of dollars)
YEAR MERCOSUR OTHER LAIA (1) NAFTA
EXP IMP BALANCE EXP IMP BALANCE EXP IMP BALANCE
1991 1,977 1,805 173 1,156 763 393 1,517 2,073 -556
1992 2,327 3,683 -1,356 1,356 766 590 1,614 2,775 -1,160
1993 3,684 4,040 -356 1,384 752 632 1,547 3,436 -1,889
1994 4,804 4,806 -3 1,880 894 986 2,070 4,777 -2,707
1995 6,779 4,615 2,163 2,702 881 1,821 1,996 4,827 -2,831
1996 7,925 5,822 2,104 2,925 1,002 1,923 2,297 5,536 -3,238
1997 9,069 7,625 1,443 3,134 1,130 2,004 2,445 7,099 -4,654
YEAR CHINA (2) ASEAN + KOREA JAPAN
EXP IMP BALANCE EXP IMP BALANCE EXP IMP BALANCE
1991 394 235 159 305 282 23 454 393 60
1992 322 854 -532 320 776 -456 375 1,095 -720
1993 396 982 -586 270 851 -581 467 1,039 -572
1994 667 1,146 -479 401 922 -520 445 986 -541
1995 782 913 -130 860 707 153 457 711 -254
1996 1,049 1,087 -38 985 824 161 512 725 -213
1997 1,318 1,472 -155 871 1,246 -374 549 1,125 -575
YEAR EUROPEAN UNION (3) OTHER WORLD
EXP IMP BALANCE EXP IMP BALANCE EXP IMP BALANCE
1991 4,001 2,147 1,853 2,175 576 1,599 11,978 8,275 3,703
1992 3,782 3,547 235 2,139 1,376 762 12,235 14,872 -2,637
1993 3,675 4,286 -611 1,694 1,398 296 13,118 16,784 -3,666
1994 3,922 6,526 -2,604 1,650 1,532 117 15,839 21,590 -5,751
1995 4,465 6,024 -1,559 2,921 1,445 1,477 20,963 20,122 841
1996 4,562 6,901 -2,339 3,555 1,865 1,690 23,811 23,762 49
1997 3,940 8,303 -4,363 4,189 2,350 1,839 25,515 30,350 -4,834
(1) Excludes Mexico.
(2) Chinese economic area:  China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
(3) 15 countries.
Source: INDEC.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 25
Table 5 (cont'd)
ARGENTINAFOREIGN TRADE BY ECONOMIC BLOC
(Share of total)
YEAR MERCOSUR REST OF LAIA (1) NAFTA CHINA (2) ASEAN + KOREA
EXP IMP EXP IMP EXP IMP EXP IMP EXP IMP
1991 16.5% 21.8% 9.7% 9.2% 12.7% 25.1% 3.3% 2.8% 2.5% 3.4%
1992 19.0% 24.8% 11.1% 5.2% 13.2% 18.7% 2.6% 5.7% 2.6% 5.2%
1993 28.1% 24.1% 10.5% 4.5% 11.8% 20.5% 3.0% 5.8% 2.1% 5.1%
1994 30.3% 22.3% 11.9% 4.1% 13.1% 22.1% 4.2% 5.3% 2.5% 4.3%
1995 32.3% 22.9% 12.9% 4.4% 9.5% 24.0% 3.7% 4.5% 4.1% 3.5%
1996 33.3% 24.5% 12.3% 4.2% 9.6% 23.3% 4.4% 4.6% 4.1% 3.5%
1997 35.5% 25.2% 12.3% 3.7% 9.6% 23.5% 5.2% 4.9% 3.4% 4.1%
YEAR JAPAN EU (3) OTHER WORLD
EXP IMP EXP IMP EXP IMP EXP IMP
1991 3.8% 4.8% 33.4% 26.0% 18.2% 7.0% 100.0% 100.0%
1992 3.1% 7.4% 30.9% 23.8% 17.5% 9.3% 100.0% 100.0%
1993 3.6% 6.2% 28.0% 25.5% 12.9% 8.3% 100.0% 100.0%
1994 2.8% 4.6% 24.8% 30.2% 10.4% 7.1% 100.0% 100.0%
1995 2.2% 3.5% 21.3% 29.9% 13.9% 7.2% 100.0% 100.0%
1996 2.2% 3.1% 19.2% 29.0% 14.9% 7.8% 100.0% 100.0%
1997 2.2% 3.7% 15.4% 27.4% 16.4% 7.7% 100.0% 100.0%
Table 5 (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
FOREIGN TRADE BY ECONOMIC BLOC
(Percentage variation over previous year)
YEAR MERCOSUR REST OF LAIA (1) NAFTA CHINA (2) ASEAN + KOREA
EXP IMP EXP IMP EXP IMP EXP IMP EXP IMP
1992 17.7% 104.1% 17.3% 0.3% 6.4% 33.8% -18.3% 262.8% 4.8% 175.1%
1993 58.3% 9.7% 2.0% -1.8% -4.1% 23.9% 23.1% 15.0% -15.5% 9.6%
1994 30.4% 19.0% 35.8% 18.9% 33.8% 39.0% 68.2% 16.7% 48.4% 8.3%
1995 41.1% -4.0% 43.7% -1.5% -3.6% 1.1% 17.4% -20.3% 114.2% -23.3%
1996 16.9% 26.1% 8.3% 13.8% 15.1% 14.7% 34.0% 19.1% 14.6% 16.6%
1997 14.4% 31.0% 7.1% 12.7% 6.4% 28.2% 25.6% 35.5% -11.6% 51.2%
YEAR JAPAN EU (3) OTHER WORLD
EXP IMP EXP IMP EXP IMP EXP IMP
1992 -17.3% 178.3% -5.5% 65.2% -1.7% 139.1% 2.1% 79.7%
1993 24.5% -5.1% -2.8% 20.9% -20.8% 1.6% 7.2% 12.9%
1994 -4.6% -5.0% 6.7% 52.3% -2.6% 9.6% 20.7% 28.6%
1995 2.7% -27.9% 13.8% -7.7% 77.1% -5.7% 32.4% -6.8%
1996 12.1% 2.0% 2.2% 14.6% 21.7% 29.1% 13.6% 18.1%
1997 7.2% 55.1% -13.6% 20.3% 17.8% 26.0% 7.2% 27.3%
(1) Excludes Mexico.
(2) Chinese economic area:  China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
(3) 15 countries.
Source: INDEC.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 26
Table 6
ARGENTINAFOREIGN TRADE BY COUNTRY
(Millions of dollars)
Country 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Exp. Imp. Balance Exp. Imp. Balance Exp. Imp. Balance Exp. Imp. Balance Exp. Imp. Balance
Unified Germany 625 888 -263 605 1,275 -670 650 1,251 -601 565 1,427 -862 492 1,653 -1,161
S a u d i  A r a b i a 3 3 03 31 81 2 52 51 7 85 02 32 75 61 64 0
Algeria 8 5 4 30 14 16 61 19 42 81 25 55 40 34 6
Australia 59 74 -15 45 70 -24 48 122 -73 65 96 -32 52 103 -51
B a h r e i n 101000000808 1 20 1 2
Bangladesh 26 2 24 22 2 20 98 4 95 72 3 69 82 1 81
Belgium 165 96 69 152 155 -3 235 224 11 269 223 47 300 291 9
Bolivia 178 106 72 192 133 59 254 135 119 292 136 155 434 135 299
Brazil 2,814 3,664 -850 3,655 4,325 -670 5,484 4,175 1,310 6,615 5,326 1,289 7,734 6,893 841
Canada 64 123 -59 73 180 -107 82 274 -192 105 275 -171 129 443 -314
Chile 592 473 119 999 541 458 1,475 514 961 1,766 559 1,206 1,841 683 1,158
China 163 626 -463 225 729 -504 286 608 -322 607 698 -90 865 1,005 -140
Cyprus 18 0 18 27 0 27 22 0 22 16 1 16 17 1 16
Colombia 113 44 68 123 60 63 233 51 182 183 49 134 168 89 79
Korea, Rep. of 49 585 -535 49 571 -522 133 362 -229 204 428 -224 200 640 -439
Côte d'Ivoire 0 1 0 1 0 1 7 22 -15 4 72 -67 16 72 -56
Costa Rica 10 7 3 24 9 15 27 3 24 17 8 9 31 9 22
Cuba 72 2 70 48 48 0 65 7 58 125 8 116 114 4 109
Denmark 91 56 35 141 83 58 108 98 10 181 85 96 124 111 13
United States 1,264 3,076 -1,812 1,724 4,331 -2,607 1,770 4,177 -2,408 1,944 4,719 -2,775 2,113 6,048 -3,935
Ecuador 50 66 -16 66 93 -27 86 101 -15 80 109 -29 84 111 -27
Egypt 135 2 134 151 3 149 229 1 227 323 1 322 456 4 453
El Salvador 6 0 5 8 0 8 16 0 16 20 0 20 19 0 19
United Arab
Emirates11 0 11 17 0 17 16 0 16 38 0 37 46 1 45
Slovenia 5 1 3 11 4 7 27 4 23 20 5 16 28 7 21
Spain 495 507 -13 584 770 -185 696 930 -234 724 1,064 -340 614 1,254 -640
P h i l i p p i n e s 61 1 - 51 51 1 32 31 31 06 51 94 62 32 2 1
Finland 5 65 -60 6 89 -84 14 110 -96 7 110 -103 23 120 -97
France 208 933 -724 216 1,614 -1,398 319 1,040 -721 296 1,181 -884 301 1,372 -1,071
G h a n a 101101303202 1 20 1 2
Greece 61 9 52 74 18 56 80 12 68 96 9 87 86 13 73
Guatemala 15 1 14 12 3 9 23 1 21 35 7 28 27 2 25
H o n d u r a s 413101707202 1 10 1 1
Hong Kong 156 96 60 205 109 96 289 76 213 216 89 127 188 71 117
India 38 42 -4 52 67 -15 153 62 91 183 82 102 209 128 81
Indonesia 74 40 34 105 64 41 167 69 98 222 79 144 193 119 74
Iran 248 1 247 229 1 228 510 0 509 637 1 637 649 2 647
Ireland 2 32 -30 8 46 -38 12 71 -59 32 69 -37 11 86 -75
Israel 43 38 5 46 58 -12 59 62 -3 61 91 -31 103 146 -43
Italy 505 1,069 -564 654 1,590 -936 736 1,259 -523 721 1,503 -782 725 1,737 -1,012
Japan 467 1,039 -572 445 986 -541 457 711 -254 512 725 -213 549 1,125 -575
Jordan 8 0 8 16 0 16 44 0 44 17 0 17 64 0 64
Kenya 16 0 16 8 1 7 52 1 51 16 1 16 37 1 36
Kuwait 5 0 5 1 0 1 16 0 16 11 0 11 23 0 23
Lebanon 16 0 16 14 0 14 14 0 14 36 0 36 20 0 20
Libya 13 0 13 4 22 -19 6 27 -20 32 13 19 21 27 -5
Macedonia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 6 16 0 16
Malaysia 73 62 11 133 103 30 259 99 160 303 118 185 311 188 123
Morocco 30 3 27 56 2 54 45 7 38 147 18 129 113 16 96
Mauritius 12 0 12 10 0 10 14 0 14 11 1 10 42 1 41
Mexico 219 237 -18 274 267 7 144 376 -232 248 541 -293 204 609 -405
Nigeria 7 0 7 9 39 -30 5 42 -38 50 23 27 44 31 13
Norway 10 27 -16 20 10 10 36 51 -15 32 57 -25 39 17 22
New Zealand 9 22 -13 14 19 -5 10 29 -19 7 26 -19 12 39 -27
Oman 7 0 7 6 0 6 12 0 12 32 0 32 12 0 12Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 27
Country 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Exp. Imp. Balance Exp. Imp. Balance Exp. Imp. Balance Exp. Imp. Balance Exp. Imp. Balance
Netherlands 1,270 125 1,145 1,180 163 1,017 1,191 211 980 1,225 223 1002 874 256 617
Panama 42 5 37 19 2 17 32 2 30 34 3 31 21 1 20
Pakistan 48 21 27 42 22 20 62 15 47 68 16 52 93 24 69
Paraguay 358 67 290 499 63 435 631 140 492 584 182 402 588 319 269
Peru 222 25 197 289 24 264 276 34 242 254 37 217 299 50 249
Poland 26 27 0 10 28 -19 4 24 -20 42 31 11 63 56 7
Portugal 61 15 46 53 58 -5 86 55 31 65 35 30 52 53 -2
Puerto Rico, e.l.a. 14 47 -33 13 42 -29 33 29 4 29 30 -1 24 37 -13
Qatar 4 0 4 1 0 1 4 0 4 16 0 16 11 11 0
United Kingdom 162 274 -112 222 363 -140 310 413 -103 355 563 -208 313 802 -489
Dominican Rep. 52 0 52 60 0 60 57 1 57 59 1 58 57 1 56
R o m a n i a 3 33 8 - 41 43 8 - 2 42 82 0 87 03 63 43 73 0 7
Russia 77 57 19 41 88 -47 90 86 5 152 97 56 211 129 83
Singapore 38 112 -73 70 124 -54 144 109 35 44 103 -60 37 147 -110
Syria 40 1 40 54 1 53 37 0 37 63 0 63 64 0 63
S r i  L a n k a 05 - 414 - 3853761 2 87 2 1
South Africa 79 96 -17 180 99 81 338 124 213 247 105 142 295 109 186
Sweden 20 134 -114 21 209 -187 24 253 -229 20 304 -284 20 403 -384
Switzerland 32 203 -171 65 254 -188 190 236 -45 56 269 -213 60 282 -222
Thailand 29 41 -12 28 48 -19 124 52 73 145 72 73 100 118 -18
Taiwan 77 260 -183 237 308 -71 208 229 -21 225 300 -74 264 396 -131
Tunisia 31 0 31 29 6 24 26 3 24 90 8 82 97 13 84
Turkey 118 6 112 36 26 10 155 11 144 139 13 126 194 28 166
Ukraine 0 2 -2 1 11 -11 1 13 -12 3 17 -14 22 22 0
Uruguay 512 297 215 650 395 255 654 279 375 719 293 427 744 368 377
Venezuela 229 38 191 211 42 169 378 46 331 351 112 239 309 62 246
Unified Yemen 1 0 1 0 0 0 7 0 7 17 0 17 11 0 11
Subtotal 12,886 16,030 -3,144 15,650 20,943 -5,293 20,740 19,604 1,135 23,493 22,959 534 25,024 29,204 -4,180
Other 232 754 -522 189 647 -458 223 518 -294 318 803 -485 491 1,146 -654
TOTAL 13,118 16,784 -3,666 15,839 21,590 -5,751 20,963 20,122 841 23,811 23,762 49 25,515 30,350 -4,834WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 28
Table 7
ARGENTINAFOREIGN TRADE BY MAIN HS SECTIONS AND MAIN ECONOMIC BLOCS(*)
(Millions of dollars)
HS Section II:  Animal Products
BLOC 1993 1994 1995
Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance
Value %
shareValue %
shareValue Value %
shareValue %
shareValue Value %
shareValue %
shareValue
MERCOSUR 922 34.1% 76 27.7% 846 1,044 35.1% 100 28.9% 944 1,312 36.2% 138 36.1% 1,174
NAFTA 109 4.0% 36 13.1% 74 162 5.4% 50 14.6% 111 79 2.2% 58 15.2% 20
European Union
(1)844 31.2% 31 11.2% 813 907 30.5% 33 9.7% 873 1,070 29.5% 37 9.8% 1032
China (2) 21 0.8% 1 0.3% 20 153 5.1% 2 0.6% 151 99 2.7% 2 0.4% 97
Other LAIA (3) 298 11.0% 106 38.9% 192 308 10.4% 130 37.5% 179 324 8.9% 120 31.4% 204
ASEAN + Korea 98 3.6% 3 1.2% 95 107 3.6% 4 1.1% 103 217 6.0% 4 0.9% 213
Japan 99 3.7% 1 0.2% 98 102 3.4% 1 0.2% 101 22 0.6% 1 0.1% 22
Subtotal 2,391 88.5% 253 92.6% 2,138 2,782 93.5% 320 92.6% 2,462 3,122 86.2% 359 94.1% 2,763
Other 310 11.5% 20 7.4% 289 193 6.5% 26 7.4% 167 501 13.8% 23 5.9% 479
World 2,701 100% 273 100% 2,428 2,974 100% 346 100% 2,629 3,624 100% 382 100% 3,242
BLOC 1996 1997
Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance
Value % Share Value % Share Value Value % Share Value % Share Value
MERCOSUR 1,406 31.0% 137 30.0% 1,269 1,391 31.0% 245 33.4% 1,146
NAFTA 159 3.5% 98 21.5% 61 141 3.1% 230 31.3% -89
European Union
(1)1,182 26.0% 40 8.8% 1,142 710 15.8% 49 6.7% 661
China (2) 97 2.1% 3 0.6% 95 41 0.9% 3 0.5% 38
Other LAIA (3) 415 9.1% 143 31.4% 272 426 9.5% 156 21.3% 270
ASEAN + Korea 353 7.8% 3 0.6% 351 348 7.8% 4 0.5% 344
Japan 60 1.3% 1 0.1% 60 97 2.2% 1 0.1% 96
Subtotal 3,673 80.9% 424 93.1% 3,249 3,153 70.3% 688 93.8% 2,466
Other 867 19.1% 32 6.9% 835 1,329 29.7% 46 6.2% 1,284
World 4,540 100% 456 100% 4,084 4,483 100% 733 100% 3,749
(*) Selection of seven of the 21 HS sections accounting for 72% of total trade in 1997.
(1) 15 countries.(2) Chinese economic area:  China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
(3) Mexico excluded.
Source: INDEC.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 29
Table 7  (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
FOREIGN TRADE BY MAIN HS SECTIONS AND MAIN ECONOMIC BLOCS (*)
(Millions of dollars)
HS Section III:  Fats and oils
BLOC 1993 1994 1995
Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance
Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value
MERCOSUR 75 7.0% 5 27.8% 70 168 10.9% 7 26.5% 161 145 6.9% 13 41.0% 132
NAFTA 93 8.6% 3 16.0% 90 115 7.5% 4 14.6% 111 63 3.0% 3 9.3% 60
European Union
(1)92 8.5% 7 37.0% 85 94 6.1% 10 39.8% 84 107 5.1% 10 32.4% 97
China (2) 26 2.4% 0 0.0% 26 77 5.0% 0 0.1% 77 32 1.5% 0 0.0% 32
Other LAIA (3) 252 23.3% 0 0.3% 252 311 20.3% 0 0.9% 310 405 19.3% 0 0.3% 405
ASEAN + Korea 29 2.7% 3 18.0% 26 124 8.1% 4 15.6% 120 127 6.0% 5 15.2% 122
Japan 1 0.1% 0 0.0% 1 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0
Subtotal 569 52.7% 19 99.2% 550 887 57.9% 24 97.7% 863 879 41.9% 31 98.2% 848
Other 510 47.3% 0 0.8% 510 646 42.1% 1 2.3% 646 1.218 58.1% 1 1.8% 1.218
World 1,079 100% 19 100% 1,059 1,534 100% 25 100% 1,509 2,097 100% 32 100% 2,065
BLOC 1996 1997
Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance
Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value
MERCOSUR 118 6.2% 15 37.2% 103 129 5.9% 16 29.1% 113
NAFTA 98 5.2% 4 11.0% 94 68 3.1% 7 13.2% 61
European Union
(1)54 2.8% 11 28.5% 42 78 3.6% 22 40.4% 57
China (2) 157 8.3% 0 0.0% 157 333 15.3% 0 0.0% 333
Other LAIA (3) 303 16.0% 1 1.5% 302 352 16.1% 0 0.8% 351
ASEAN + Korea 43 2.3% 8 21.0% 34 43 2.0% 8 14.7% 35
Japan 0 0.0% 0 0.1% 0 0 0.0% 0 0.1% 0
Subtotal 772 40.8% 40 99.4% 732 1,004 45.9% 53 98.4% 951
Other 1,118 59.2% 0 0.6% 1,118 1,181 54.1% 1 1.6% 1,180
World 1,890 100% 40 100% 1,850 2,185 100% 54 100% 2,131
(*) Selection of seven of the 21 HS sections accounting for 72% of total trade in 1997.
(1) 15 countries.(2) Chinese economic area:  China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.(3) Mexico excluded.
Source: INDEC.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 30
Table 7  (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
FOREIGN TRADE BY MAIN HS SECTIONS AND MAIN ECONOMIC BLOCS (*)
(Millions of dollars)
HS Section IV:  Foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco
BLOC 1993 1994 1995
Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance
Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value
MERCOSUR 131 5.8% 142 31.3% -12 206 9.4% 235 39.6% -30 384 14.6% 229 39.1% 155
NAFTA 306 13.6% 59 13.0% 247 278 12.7% 71 12.0% 207 387 14.7% 80 13.6% 307
European Union
(1)1,217 54.3% 129 28.4% 1,087 1,210 55.3% 156 26.2% 1,055 1,140 43.2% 135 23.0% 1,005
China (2) 19 0.9% 1 0.2% 18 13 0.6% 3 0.5% 10 27 1.0% 3 0.5% 24
Other LAIA (3) 59 2.6% 86 18.9% -27 63 2.9% 90 15.2% -28 120 4.5% 94 16.1% 25
ASEAN + Korea 14 0.6% 10 2.3% 4 24 1.1% 14 2.3% 11 88 3.4% 22 3.8% 66
Japan 133 5.9% 1 0.3% 131 104 4.7% 1 0.2% 103 126 4.8% 0 0.1% 126
Subtotal 1,878 83.8% 429 94.3% 1,449 1,898 86.7% 570 95.9% 1,328 2,272 86.2% 564 96.2% 1,708
Other 364 16.2% 26 5.7% 338 292 13.3% 25 4.1% 268 365 13.8% 22 3.8% 342
World 2,242 100% 455 100% 1,787 2,190 100% 595 100% 1,595 2,637 100% 587 100% 2,050
BLOC 1996 1997
Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance
Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value
MERCOSUR 429 11.2% 175 31.9% 254 459 11.9% 223 35.2% 236
NAFTA 445 11.6% 96 17.6% 349 445 11.6% 96 15.0% 350
European Union
(1)1,494 39.0% 132 24.1% 1,362 1,462 38.0% 134 21.0% 1,328
China (2) 249 6.5% 4 0.8% 244 288 7.5% 4 0.7% 284
Other LAIA (3) 161 4.2% 90 16.4% 71 169 4.4% 116 18.2% 54
ASEAN + Korea 215 5.6% 25 4.6% 190 216 5.6% 35 5.5% 181
Japan 126 3.3% 0 0.1% 126 130 3.4% 0 0.1% 129
Subtotal 3,120 81.5% 523 95.4% 2,596 3,169 82.4% 608 95.7% 2,561
Other 708 18.5% 25 4.6% 683 677 17.6% 27 4.3% 650
World 3,827 100% 548 100% 3,279 3,846 100% 635 100% 3,211
(*) Selection of seven of the 21 HS sections accounting for 72% of total trade in 1997.
(1) 15 countries.(2) Chinese economic area:  China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.(3) Mexico excluded.
Source: INDEC.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 31
Table 7  (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
FOREIGN TRADE BY MAIN HS SECTIONS AND MAIN ECONOMIC BLOCS (*)
(Millions of dollars)
HS Section V:  Mineral products
BLOC 1993 1994 1995
Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance
Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value
MERCOSUR 688 54.7% 232 41.1% 456 795 47.3% 251 30.6% 544 966 43.7% 302 28.4% 664
NAFTA 145 11.5% 93 16.5% 52 229 13.6% 132 16.1% 97 311 14.1% 141 13.3% 169
European Union
(1)177 14.0% 55 9.7% 122 135 8.1% 123 15.0% 12 98 4.4% 277 26.0% -179
China (2) 12 0.9% 3 0.5% 9 0 0.0% 3 0.4% -3 43 1.9% 4 0.4% 39
Other LAIA (3) 121 9.6% 121 21.4% 0 447 26.6% 143 17.5% 303 727 32.9% 153 14.4% 574
ASEAN + Korea 5 0.4% 0 0.0% 5 3 0.2% 7 0.8% -3 7 0.3% 0 0.0% 6
Japan 1 0.1% 0 0.0% 1 1 0.1% 0 0.0% 1 1 0.0% 0 0.0% 1
Subtotal 1,149 91.3% 504 89.2% 645 1,610 95.9% 659 80.5% 951 2,151 97.4% 877 82.5% 1,274
Other 109 8.7% 61 10.8% 48 69 4.1% 160 19.5% -91 57 2.6% 186 17.5% -129
World 1,258 100% 565 100% 693 1,679 100% 818 100% 860 2,208 100% 1,063 100% 1,145
BLOC 1996 1997
Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance
Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value
MERCOSUR 1,572 50.1% 360 32.4% 1,211 1,409 44.5% 424 36.3% 984
NAFTA 519 16.5% 112 10.1% 407 553 17.5% 109 9.3% 445
European Union
(1)38 1.2% 195 17.6% -157 48 1.5% 100 8.6% -52
China (2) 35 1.1% 4 0.4% 31 130 4.1% 5 0.4% 125
Other LAIA (3) 886 28.3% 212 19.1% 674 897 28.3% 163 13.9% 735
ASEAN + Korea 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 4 0.1% 15 1.3% -11
Japan 3 0.1% 0 0.0% 3 46 1.5% 0 0.0% 46
Subtotal 3,053 97.3% 885 79.6% 2,168 3,088 97.5% 815 69.8% 2,273
Other 83 2.7% 226 20.4% -143 79 2.5% 353 30.2% -274
World 3,136 100% 1,111 100% 2,025 3,167 100% 1,168 100% 1,998
(*) Selection of seven of the 21 HS sections accounting for 72% of total trade in 1997.
(1) 15 countries.(2) Chinese economic area:  China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.(3) Mexico excluded.
Source: INDEC.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 32
Table 7  (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
FOREIGN TRADE BY MAIN HS SECTIONS AND MAIN ECONOMIC BLOCS (*)
(Millions of dollars)
HS Section VI:  Products of the chemical or allied industries
BLOC 1993 1994 1995
Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance
Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value
MERCOSUR 251 39.7% 339 16.8% -88 354 43.8% 455 17.5% -101 454 42.5% 602 19.8% -148
NAFTA 106 16.8% 580 28.8% -474 110 13.6% 706 27.2% -596 131 12.2% 828 27.3% -697
European Union
(1)98 15.5% 684 33.9% -586 141 17.4% 841 32.4% -700 168 15.7% 954 31.4% -785
China (2) 2 0.4% 41 2.0% -39 3 0.3% 54 2.1% -51 17 1.6% 63 2.1% -46
Other LAIA (3) 120 18.9% 28 1.4% 92 139 17.2% 34 1.3% 104 186 17.3% 45 1.5% 141
ASEAN + Korea 7 1.1% 14 0.7% -6 9 1.1% 12 0.5% -3 24 2.2% 10 0.3% 14
Japan 4 0.6% 74 3.7% -70 3 0.4% 88 3.4% -85 5 0.5% 102 3.4% -97
Subtotal 588 93.0% 1,758 87.2% -1,171 758 93.8% 2,191 84.5% -1,432 985 92.1% 2,603 85.8% -1,618
Other 44 7.0% 259 12.8% -214 50 6.2% 403 15.5% -353 85 7.9% 432 14.2% -347
World 632 100% 2,017 100% -1,385 808 100% 2,594 100% -1,786 1,070 100% 3,035 100% -1,965
BLOC 1996 1997
Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance
Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value
MERCOSUR 501 46.2% 655 17.6% -154 561 46.5% 783 19.5% -222
NAFTA 111 10.2% 1,110 29.8% -999 118 9.8% 1,098 27.3% -980
European Union
(1)143 13.2% 1,159 31.1% -1,016 146 12.1% 1,310 32.5% -1,164
China (2) 13 1.2% 93 2.5% -80 20 1.6% 125 3.1% -105
Other LAIA (3) 206 19.0% 57 1.5% 150 244 20.2% 71 1.8% 173
ASEAN + Korea 10 0.9% 17 0.4% -7 12 1.0% 17 0.4% -5
Japan 8 0.7% 99 2.7% -91 7 0.6% 117 2.9% -110
Subtotal 992 91.4% 3,190 85.5% -2,198 1,108 91.7% 3,521 87.5% -2,413
Other 93 8.6% 539 14.5% -446 100 8.3% 504 12.5% -404
World 1,085 100% 3,729 100% -2,644 1,208 100% 4,025 100% -2,817
(*) Selection of seven of the 21 HS sections accounting for 72% of total trade in 1997.
(1) 15 countries.(2) Chinese economic area:  China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.(3) Mexico excluded.
Source: INDEC.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 33
Table 7  (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
FOREIGN TRADE BY MAIN HS SECTIONS AND MAIN ECONOMIC BLOCS (*)
(Millions of dollars)
HS Section XVI:  Machinery and mechanical appliances;  electrical equipment;  parts thereof
BLOC 1993 1994 1995
Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance
Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value
MERCOSUR 307 40.6% 743 12.8% -436 365 42.2% 831 11.2% -465 577 58.7% 789 12.2% -212
NAFTA 146 19.4% 1,398 24.0% -1,251 243 28.0% 2,250 30.2% -2,008 123 12.5% 2,000 30.8% -1,877
European Union
(1)73 9.7% 1,779 30.6% -1,706 89 10.3% 2,502 33.6% -2,413 60 6.1% 2,291 35.3% -2,231
China (2) 13 1.8% 332 5.7% -319 8 0.9% 390 5.2% -382 7 0.7% 312 4.8% -305
Other LAIA (3) 130 17.2% 24 0.4% 105 99 11.5% 35 0.5% 64 126 12.8% 30 0.5% 96
ASEAN + Korea 18 2.4% 570 9.8% -552 14 1.6% 579 7.8% -565 39 4.0% 393 6.1% -354
Japan 11 1.4% 461 7.9% -451 8 0.9% 426 5.7% -418 1 0.1% 308 4.7% -306
Subtotal 698 92.5% 5,308 91.3% -4,610 826 95.3% 7,012 94.2% -6,186 934 95.0% 6,125 94.3% -5,191
Other 57 7.5% 506 8.7% -449 41 4.7% 434 5.8% -394 49 5.0% 369 5.7% -320
World 755 100% 5,814 100% -5,059 867 100% 7,446 100% -6,580 983 100% 6,493 100% -5,510
BLOC 1996 1997
Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance
Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value
MERCOSUR 577 60.0% 1,091 14.4% -514 753 68.0% 1,350 13.6% -597
NAFTA 92 9.5% 2,175 28.8% -2,083 93 8.4% 3,046 30.7% -2,953
European Union
(1)64 6.6% 2,548 33.7% -2,484 50 4.5% 3,116 31.4% -3,066
China (2) 5 0.5% 379 5.0% -374 6 0.5% 556 5.6% -550
Other LAIA (3) 137 14.2% 45 0.6% 92 142 12.8% 50 0.5% 92
ASEAN + Korea 37 3.8% 462 6.1% -425 18 1.7% 732 7.4% -713
Japan 1 0.1% 312 4.1% -311 2 0.2% 438 4.4% -437
Subtotal 912 94.9% 7,011 92.8% -6,099 1,063 96.0% 9,288 93.5% -8,224
Other 49 5.1% 541 7.2% -491 44 4.0% 646 6.5% -602
World 962 100% 7,552 100% -6,590 1,107 100% 9,934 100% -8,826
(*) Selection of seven of the 21 HS sections accounting for 72% of total trade in 1997.
(1) 15 countries.(2) Chinese economic area:  China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.(3) Mexico excluded.
Source: INDEC.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 34
Table 7  (cont'd.)
ARGENTINA
FOREIGN TRADE BY MAIN HS SECTIONS AND MAIN ECONOMIC BLOCS (*)
(Millions of dollars)
HS Section XVII:   Transport equipment
BLOC 1993 1994 1995
Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance
Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value
MERCOSUR 585 81.3% 1,035 38.5% -450 771 83.9% 1,244 32.8% -473 1,121 85.7% 838 33.7% 283
NAFTA 23 3.2% 358 13.3% -336 33 3.6% 385 10.2% -352 42 3.2% 360 14.5% -318
European Union
(1)49 6.8% 629 23.4% -580 21 2.3% 1,501 39.6% -1,480 45 3.4% 878 35.3% -833
China (2) 0 0.0% 70 2.6% -69 0 0.0% 93 2.5% -93 3 0.2% 49 2.0% -46
Other LAIA (3) 43 5.9% 64 2.4% -22 47 5.1% 80 2.1% -32 41 3.1% 63 2.5% -22
ASEAN + Korea 0 0.0% 57 2.1% -57 0 0.0% 75 2.0% -75 0 0.0% 44 1.8% -44
Japan 0 0.0% 339 12.6% -339 0 0.0% 300 7.9% -300 0 0.0% 156 6.3% -156
Subtotal 700 97.3% 2,552 95.0% -1,852 872 95.0% 3,678 96.9% -2,806 1,252 95.7% 2,388 96.0% -1,137
Other 20 2.7% 134 5.0% -114 46 5.0% 116 3.1% -70 56 4.3% 100 4.0% -44
World 719 100% 2,686 100% -1,966 918 100% 3,794 100% -2,876 1,308 100% 2,489 100% -1,181
BLOC 1996 1997
Exp Imp Balance Exp Imp Balance
Value % share Value % share Value Value % share Value % share Value
MERCOSUR 1,397 85.1% 1,223 35.6% 174 2,341 91.5% 1,946 39.3% 395
NAFTA 46 2.8% 497 14.5% -452 74 2.9% 749 15.1% -675
European Union
(1)90 5.5% 1,215 35.4% -1,125 29 1.1% 1,500 30.3% -1,471
China (2) 0 0.0% 70 2.0% -70 0 0.0% 71 1.4% -71
Other LAIA (3) 59 3.6% 66 1.9% -6 40 1.6% 75 1.5% -35
ASEAN + Korea 0 0.0% 57 1.6% -56 0 0.0% 114 2.3% -114
Japan 0 0.0% 161 4.7% -161 0 0.0% 310 6.3% -310
Subtotal 1,592 96.9% 3,288 95.7% -1,696 2,484 97.1% 4,766 96.4% -2,282
Other 50 3.1% 147 4.3% -97 74 2.9% 179 3.6% -105
World 1,642 100% 3,435 100% -1,793 2,558 100% 4,945 100% -2,387
(*) Selection of seven of the 21 HS sections accounting for 72% of total trade in 1997.
(1) 15 countries.(2) Chinese economic area:  China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.(3) Mexico excluded.
Source: INDEC.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 35
Table 8
ARGENTINA
EXPORTS BY MAIN CHAPTER, TRADING BLOC AND COUNTRY
(Millions of dollars)
MERCOSUR
No. DESCRIPTION 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share
87 Motor cars, tractors,
other vehicles561 15.2% 768 16.0% 1,110 16.4% 1,392 17.6% 2,335 25.7%
27 Fuel;  mineral; distilled 677 18.4% 780 16.2% 946 13.9% 1,551 19.6% 1,381 15.2%
10 Cereals (wheat, barley,
maize, etc.)727 19.7% 730 15.2% 923 13.6% 944 11.9% 832 9.2%
84 Boilers, machinery and
mechanical appliances258 7.0% 265 5.5% 429 6.3% 453 5.7% 528 5.8%
52 Coffee 25 0.7% 131 2.7% 154 2.3% 249 3.1% 298 3.3%
04 Dairy produce 61 1.7% 120 2.5% 223 3.3% 232 2.9% 227 2.5%
85 Electrical machinery and
equipment49 1.3% 101 2.1% 148 2.2% 124 1.6% 225 2.5%
07 Edible vegetables and
tubers77 2.1% 143 3.0% 142 2.1% 131 1.7% 214 2.4%
39 Plastics and other articles
thereof85 2.3% 110 2.3% 192 2.8% 222 2.8% 197 2.2%
11 Products of the milling
industry, malt, starches31 0.8% 60 1.3% 59 0.9% 116 1.5% 158 1.7%
Subtotal 2,551 69.3% 3,206 66.7% 4,325 63.8% 5,414 68.3% 6,395 70.5%
Other 1,133 30.7% 1,598 33.3% 2,454 36.2% 2,512 31.7% 2,674 29.5%
Total 3,684 100.0% 4,804 100.0% 6,779 100.0% 7,925 100.0% 9,069 100.0%
OTHER LAIA (excluding Mexico)
No. DESCRIPTION 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share
27 Fuel;  mineral; distilled 114 8.2% 438 23.3% 719 26.6% 876 30.0% 886 28.3%
15 Animal or vegetable fat
and oils252 18.2% 311 16.5% 405 15.0% 303 10.4% 352 11.2%
10 Cereals (wheat, barley,
maize, etc.)232 16.8% 243 12.9% 232 8.6% 299 10.2% 333 10.6%
73 Articles of iron or steel 59 4.3% 79 4.2% 102 3.8% 121 4.1% 204 6.5%
02 Meat 42 3.1% 76 4.0% 123 4.5% 135 4.6% 157 5.0%
84 Boilers, machinery and
mechanical appliances106 7.7% 78 4.1% 106 3.9% 108 3.7% 94 3.0%
39 Plastics and other articles
thereof34 2.4% 41 2.2% 77 2.8% 79 2.7% 82 2.6%
52 Cotton 21 1.5% 47 2.5% 91 3.4% 67 2.3% 56 1.8%
72 Iron and steel 21 1.5% 29 1.5% 63 2.3% 51 1.7% 54 1.7%
30 Pharmaceutical products 14 1.0% 21 1.1% 36 1.3% 41 1.4% 54 1.7%
Subtotal 895 64.6% 1,361 72.4% 1,955 72.3% 2,080 71.1% 2,273 72.5%
Other 489 35.4% 519 27.6% 748 27.7% 845 28.9% 861 27.5%
Total 1,384 100.0% 1,880 100.0% 2,702 100.0% 2,925 100.0% 3,134 100.0%
Source: INDEC.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 36
Table 8 (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
EXPORTS BY MAIN CHAPTER, TRADING BLOC AND COUNTRY(Millions of dollars)
NAFTA
No. DESCRIPTION 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Value % share Value % share Value % share Value  % share Value % share
27 Fuel;  mineral; distilled 145 9.4% 229 11.0% 310 15.5% 516 22.5% 553 22.6%
41 Raw hides and skin 174 11.2% 179 8.7% 236 11.8% 211 9.2% 300 12.3%
20 Preparations of
vegetables, fruit, etc.81 5.2% 68 3.3% 137 6.9% 184 8.0% 182 7.4%
16 Preparations of meat,
of fish, of crustaceans135 8.7% 130 6.3% 154 7.7% 129 5.6% 114 4.7%
84 Boilers, machinery and
mechanical appliances86 5.5% 94 4.5% 74 3.7% 79 3.4% 82 3.3%
73 Articles of iron or steel 73 4.7% 60 2.9% 47 2.4% 64 2.8% 80 3.3%
15 Animal or vegetable
fat and oils93 6.0% 115 5.5% 63 3.2% 98 4.3% 68 2.8%
12 Oilseeds and
oleaginous fruits61 3.9% 100 4.8% 30 1.5% 73 3.2% 54 2.2%
32 Turning or dyeing
exacts, colouring
matter21 1.3% 23 1.1% 24 1.2% 29 1.2% 32 1.3%
29 Organic chemicals 35 2.2% 34 1.7% 39 2.0% 36 1.6% 28 1.1%
Subtotal 903 58.3% 1,031 49.8% 1,114 55.8% 1,419 61.8% 1,492 61.0%
Other 645 41.7% 1,039 50.2% 882 44.2% 878 38.2% 953 39.0%
Total 1,547 100.0% 2,070 100.0% 1,996 100.0% 2,297 100.0% 2,445 100.0%
Source: INDEC.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 37
Table 8 (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
EXPORTS BY MAIN CHAPTER, TRADING BLOC AND COUNTRY
(Millions of dollars)
EUROPEAN UNION (15 countries)
No. DESCRIPTION 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share
23 Animal fodder 1,013 27.6% 1,023 26.1% 809 18.1% 1,229 26.9% 1,214 30.8%
02 Meat 370 10.1% 418 10.7% 501 11.2% 447 9.8% 400 10.2%
03 Fish, crustaceans and
shellfish303 8.2% 257 6.6% 302 6.8% 329 7.2% 357 9.1%
08 Edible fruit 134 3.7% 167 4.3% 252 5.7% 282 6.2% 298 7.6%
12 Oilseeds and
oleaginous fruits537 14.6% 566 14.4% 647 14.5% 697 15.3% 193 4.9%
41 Raw hides and skin 121 3.3% 214 5.4% 222 5.0% 201 4.4% 174 4.4%
10 Cereals (wheat, barley,
maize, etc.)94 2.5% 80 2.0% 82 1.8% 109 2.4% 137 3.5%
16 Preparations of meat,
of fish, of crustaceans102 2.8% 123 3.1% 173 3.9% 117 2.6% 104 2.6%
51 Wool, animal hair and
woven fabric81 2.2% 104 2.7% 98 2.2% 87 1.9% 95 2.4%
15 Animal or vegetable
fats and oils92 2.5% 94 2.4% 107 2.4% 54 1.2% 78 2.0%
Subtotal 2,846 77.4% 3,046 77.7% 3,193 71.5% 3,551 77.9% 3,050 77.4%
Other 829 22.6% 876 22.3% 1,272 28.5% 1,010 22.1% 890 22.6%
Total 3,675 100.0% 3,922 100.0% 4,465 100.0% 4,562 100.0% 3,940 100.0%
Source: INDEC.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 38
Table 8 (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
EXPORTS BY MAIN CHAPTER, TRADING BLOC AND COUNTRY(Millions of dollars)
ASEAN + SOUTH KOREA
No. DESCRIPTION 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share
10 Cereals (wheat, barley,
maize, etc.)41 15.1% 59 14.6% 170 19.8% 325 33.0% 345 39.5%
23 Animal fodder 12 4.5% 11 2.6% 77 8.9% 204 20.7% 207 23.7%
41 Raw hides and skin 19 7.2% 22 5.5% 91 10.6% 72 7.3% 83 9.5%
03 Fish, crustaceans and
shellfish33 12.1% 33 8.2% 39 4.6% 50 5.1% 49 5.6%
15 Animal or vegetable
fats and oils29 10.7% 124 30.9% 127 14.7% 43 4.3% 43 4.9%
73 Articles of iron or steel 12 4.6% 18 4.5% 42 4.9% 43 4.4% 35 4.0%
72 Iron and steel 19 7.1% 6 1.5% 64 7.5% 44 4.5% 27 3.1%
84 Boilers, machinery and
mechanical appliances16 5.9% 12 2.9% 35 4.1% 36 3.6% 17 2.0%
84 Boilers, machinery and
mechanical appliances4 1.4% 2 0.5% 17 2.0% 8 0.8% 9 1.0%
76 Aluminium and
articles thereof0 0.0% 0 0.0% 9 1.0% 11 1.1% 11 1.2%
Subtotal 186 68.7% 286 71.2% 671 78.0% 836 84.9% 825 94.7%
Other 85 31.3% 116 28.8% 189 22.0% 149 15.1% 47 5.3%
Total 270 100.0% 401 100.0% 860 100.0% 985 100.0% 871 100.0%
Source: INDEC.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 39
Table 8 (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
EXPORTS BY MAIN CHAPTER, TRADING BLOC AND COUNTRY
(Millions of dollars)
CHINESE ECONOMIC AREA (China, Taiwan and Hong Kong )
No. DESCRIPTION 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share
15 Animal or vegetable
fats and oils26 6.6% 77 11.5% 32 4.0% 157 14.9% 333 25.3%
23 Animal fodder 4 1.1% 1 0.1% 11 1.4% 228 21.8% 272 20.6%
41 Raw hides and skin 120 30.4% 147 22.0% 174 22.2% 163 15.6% 199 15.1%
03 Fish crustaceans and
shellfish53 13.4% 90 13.5% 117 15.0% 138 13.2% 159 12.1%
27 Fuels;  mineral oils;
distillation12 3.0% 0 0.0% 42 5.4% 35 3.3% 130 9.9%
51 Wool, animal hair and
woven fabrics26 6.6% 48 7.2% 56 7.2% 53 5.1% 44 3.4%
73 Articles of iron or steel 60 15.1% 54 8.1% 37 4.7% 20 1.9% 42 3.2%
10 Cereals (wheat, barley,
maize, etc.)21 5.3% 36 5.5% 73 9.3% 27 2.6% 27 2.1%
72 Iron and steel 29 7.3% 23 3.4% 28 3.6% 34 3.3% 14 1.1%
16 Preparations of meat,
fish, or crustaceans14 3.5% 11 1.7% 12 1.5% 16 1.5% 14 1.0%
Subtotal 366 92.3% 486 73.0% 581 74.3% 871 83.1% 1,234 93.7%
Other 31 7.7% 180 27.0% 201 25.7% 178 16.9% 83 6.3%
Total 396 100.0% 667 100.0% 782 100.0% 1,049 100.0% 1,318 100.0%
Source: INDEC.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 40
Table 8 (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
EXPORTS BY MAIN CHAPTER, TRADING BLOC AND COUNTRY(Millions of dollars)
JAPAN
No. DESCRIPTION 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share
03 Fish, crustaceans and
shellfish116 24.9% 119 26.7% 137 29.9% 167 32.6% 129 23.5%
76 Aluminium and articles
thereof74 15.9% 82 18.3% 109 23.9% 92 17.9% 96 17.5%
10 Cereals (wheat, barley,
maize, etc.)93 19.9% 82 18.4% 16 3.5% 56 10.9% 87 15.9%
16 Preparations of meat, of
fish, of crustaceans55 11.9% 49 11.1% 67 14.7% 47 9.1% 52 9.4%
26 Ores, slag and ash 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 2 0.5% 45 8.1%
23 Animal fodder 63 13.5% 34 7.7% 32 7.1% 43 8.4% 33 6.0%
22 Beverages, spirits and
vinegar7 1.4% 11 2.5% 13 2.9% 20 4.0% 32 5.9%
44 Wood and articles
thereof4 0.9% 0 0.0% 7 1.5% 15 2.9% 12 2.2%
20 Preparations of
vegetable, fruit, etc.5 1.0% 5 1.0% 10 2.1% 12 2.3% 9 1.7%
12 Oilseeds and oleaginous
fruits4 0.8% 14 3.3% 2 0.4% 1 0.3% 8 1.4%
Subtotal 421 90.2% 396 88.9% 393 86.0% 455 88.8% 504 91.7%
Other 46 9.8% 49 11.1% 64 14.0% 57 11.2% 46 8.3%
Total 467 100.0% 445 100.0% 457 100.0% 512 100.0% 549 100.0%
Source:  INDEC.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 41
Table 9
ARGENTINA
IMPORTS BY MAIN CHAPTER, TRADING BLOC AND COUNTRY
(Millions of dollars)
MERCOSUR
No. DESCRIPTION 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share
87 Motor vehicles, tractors,
other vehicles1,035 25.6% 1,240 25.8% 835 18.1% 1,219 1,930 25.3%
84 Boilers, machinery and
mechanical appliances534 13.2% 601 12.5% 552 12.0% 805 13.8% 953 12.5%
85 Electrical machinery and
equipment208 5.2% 230 4.8% 237 5.1% 287 4.9% 397 5.2%
39 Artificial plastics 189 4.7% 245 5.1% 283 6.1% 313 5.4% 375 4.9%
72 Iron and steel 201 5.0% 277 5.8% 248 5.4% 239 4.1% 336 4.4%
48 Paper and paperboard 196 4.9% 190 4.0% 234 5.1% 301 5.2% 322 4.2%
29 Organic chemicals 121 3.0% 172 3.6% 217 4.7% 227 3.9% 254 3.3%
27 Fuels;  mineral oils;
distillation103 2.5% 111 2.3% 133 2.9% 163 2.8% 213 2.8%
26 Ores, slag and ash 113 2.8% 121 2.5% 153 3.3% 179 3.1% 180 2.4%
40 Rubber and articles
thereof89 2.2% 103 2.1% 108 2.3% 149 2.6% 179 2.3%
Subtotal 2,789 69.0% 3,290 68.5% 3,001 65.0% 3,881 66.7% 5,140 67.4%
Other 1,251 31.0% 1,516 31.5% 1,615 35.0% 1,941 33.3% 2,485 32.6%
Total 4,040 100.0% 4,806 100.0% 4,615 100.0% 5,822 100.0% 7,625 100.0%
Source: INDEC.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 42
Table 9 (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
IMPORTS BY MAIN CHAPTER, TRADING BLOC AND COUNTRY(Millions of dollars)
OTHER LAIA (excluding Mexico)
No. DESCRIPTION 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share
27 Fuels;  mineral oils;
distillation116 15.5% 134 15.0% 144 16.4% 206 20.6% 151 13.4%
08 Edible fruit;  citrus fruit
or melons78 10.4% 92 10.3% 80 9.1% 103 10.3% 99 8.8%
74 Copper and articles
thereof83 11.1% 94 10.5% 99 11.3% 87 8.7% 93 8.2%
87 Motor vehicles, tractors,
other vehicles64 8.5% 77 8.6% 63 7.1% 65 6.5% 74 6.6%
48 Paper and paperboard 28 3.7% 42 4.7% 50 5.7% 47 4.7% 59 5.3%
44 Wood and articles of
wood36 4.8% 46 5.1% 35 4.0% 38 3.8% 45 3.9%
39 Plastics and articles
thereof18 2.4% 17 1.9% 24 2.7% 26 2.6% 38 3.4%
73 Articles of iron and steel 9 1.2% 11 1.2% 11 1.3% 24 2.4% 37 3.3%
29 Organic chemicals 7 0.9% 9 1.0% 16 1.8% 23 2.3% 36 3.2%
84 Boilers, machinery and
mechanical appliances13 1.8% 20 2.2% 20 2.3% 30 3.0% 36 3.2%
Subtotal 452 60.1% 542 60.6% 543 61.6% 650 64.9% 669 59.2%
Other 300 39.9% 353 39.4% 338 38.4% 352 35.1% 461 40.8%
Total 752 100.0% 894 100.0% 881 100.0% 1,002 100.0% 1,130 100.0%
Source: INDEC.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 43
Table 9 (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
IMPORTS BY MAIN CHAPTER, TRADING BLOC AND COUNTRY
(Millions of dollars)
NAFTA
No. DESCRIPTION 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share
84 Boilers, machinery and
mechanical appliances846 24.6% 1,231 25.8% 1,218 25.2% 1,328 24.0% 1,714 24.1%
85 Electrical machinery
and equipment552 16.1% 1,019 21.3% 783 16.2% 847 15.3% 1,332 18.8%
39 Plastics and articles
thereof249 7.3% 260 5.4% 349 7.2% 390 7.1% 479 6.8%
87 Motor vehicles,
tractors, other vehicles163 4.7% 220 4.6% 190 3.9% 284 5.1% 406 5.7%
29 Organic chemicals 216 6.3% 269 5.6% 309 6.4% 377 6.8% 383 5.4%
90 Optical, photographic
and cinematographic
instruments160 4.6% 230 4.8% 211 4.4% 233 4.2% 296 4.2%
88 Aircraft and spacecraft 185 5.4% 149 3.1% 160 3.3% 191 3.4% 289 4.1%
38 Miscellaneous
chemical products112 3.3% 126 2.6% 139 2.9% 177 3.2% 204 2.9%
48 Paper and paperboard 67 2.0% 86 1.8% 123 2.6% 129 2.3% 182 2.6%
12 Oilseeds and
oleaginous fruits20 0.6% 24 0.5% 26 0.5% 45 0.8% 157 2.2%
Subtotal 2,570 74.8% 3,614 75.6% 3,508 72.7% 4,001 72.3% 5,442 76.7%
Other 867 25.2% 1,163 24.4% 1,320 27.3% 1,535 27.7% 1,657 23.3%
Total 3,436 100.0% 4,777 100.0% 4,827 100.0% 5,536 100.0% 7,099 100.0%
Source:  INDEC.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 44
Table 9 (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
IMPORTS BY MAIN CHAPTER, TRADING BLOC AND COUNTRY(Millions of dollars)
EUROPEAN UNION (15 countries)
No. DESCRIPTION 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share
84 Boilers, machinery and
mechanical appliances1,198 27.9% 1,706 26.1% 1,460 24.2% 1,584 23.0% 2,030 24.5%
87 Motor vehicles, tractors,
other vehicles582 13.6% 1,301 19.9% 824 13.7% 1,171 17.0% 1,442 17.4%
85 Electrical machinery and
equipment582 13.6% 796 12.2% 831 13.8% 964 14.0% 1,086 13.1%
29 Organic chemicals 318 7.4% 372 5.7% 419 7.0% 484 7.0% 565 6.8%
39 Artificial plastics 167 3.9% 230 3.5% 244 4.0% 261 3.8% 352 4.2%
48 Paper and paperboard 115 2.7% 175 2.7% 221 3.7% 217 3.1% 270 3.2%
90 Optical, photographic
and cinematographic
instruments122 2.8% 189 2.9% 188 3.1% 209 3.0% 258 3.1%
30 Pharmaceuticals 106 2.5% 135 2.1% 161 2.7% 187 2.7% 218 2.6%
73 Articles of iron and steel 73 1.7% 97 1.5% 91 1.5% 123 1.8% 194 2.3%
38 Miscellaneous chemical
products88 2.1% 102 1.6% 132 2.2% 164 2.4% 174 2.1%
Subtotal 3,350 78.2% 5,101 78.2% 4,571 75.9% 5,363 77.7% 6,588 79.4%
Other 937 21.8% 1,425 21.8% 1,453 24.1% 1,538 22.3% 1,714 20.6%
Total 4,286 100.0% 6,526 100.0% 6,024 100.0% 6,901 100.0% 8,303 100.0%
Source: INDEC.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 45
Table 9 (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
IMPORTS BY MAIN CHAPTER, TRADING BLOC AND COUNTRY
(Millions of dollars)
ASEAN + SOUTH KOREA
No. DESCRIPTION 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share
85 Electrical machinery
and equipment510 59.9% 477 51.7% 277 39.2% 307 37.2% 499 40.0%
84 Boilers, machinery and
mechanical appliances61 7.1% 102 11.1% 116 16.5% 155 18.9% 233 18.7%
87 Motor vehicles,
tractors, other vehicles54 6.3% 74 8.0% 44 6.2% 56 6.8% 114 9.2%
40 Rubber and articles
thereof41 4.8% 47 5.1% 63 8.9% 71 8.6% 84 6.8%
54 Man-made filaments 21 2.5% 17 1.8% 23 3.3% 30 3.6% 42 3.3%
64 Footwear 40 4.7% 43 4.7% 40 5.7% 39 4.7% 41 3.3%
39 Artificial plastics 9 1.1% 8 0.8% 16 2.2% 16 1.9% 27 2.2%
16 Preparations of meat,
fish, crustaceans ormolluscs7 0.8% 10 1.1% 14 1.9% 13 1.6% 21 1.7%
55 Man-made staple
fibres16 1.9% 26 2.8% 11 1.6% 11 1.3% 17 1.4%
27 Mineral fuels and oils;
distillations0 0.0% 7 0.7% 0 0.0% 0 0.1% 15 1.2%
Subtotal 759 89.2% 810 87.8% 605 85.6% 698 84.7% 1,093 87.7%
Other 92 10.8% 112 12.2% 102 14.4% 126 15.3% 153 12.3%
Total 851 100.0% 922 100.0% 707 100.0% 824 100.0% 1,246 100.0%
Source: INDEC.WT/TPR/G/47 Trade Policy Review
Page 46
Table 9 (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
IMPORTS BY MAIN CHAPTER, TRADING BLOC AND COUNTRY(Millions of dollars)
CHINESE ECONOMIC AREA (China, Taiwan and Hong Kong)
No. DESCRIPTION 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share
85 Electrical machinery
and equipment188 19.1% 222 19.3% 174 19.1% 197 18.1% 305 20.7%
84 Boilers, machinery and
mechanical appliances144 14.7% 168 14.7% 138 15.2% 181 16.7% 250 17.0%
95 Toys, games and sports
requisites104 10.6% 132 11.5% 104 11.3% 113 10.4% 130 8.8%
29 Organic chemicals 25 2.6% 34 3.0% 39 4.2% 63 5.8% 79 5.4%
64 Footwear 52 5.3% 58 5.0% 43 4.7% 38 3.5% 67 4.6%
87 Motor vehicles,
tractors, other vehicles63 6.4% 69 6.0% 37 4.1% 44 4.1% 64 4.3%
39 Artificial plastics 24 2.4% 35 3.1% 46 5.0% 51 4.7% 52 3.5%
90 Optical, photographic
and cinematographic
instruments15 1.5% 20 1.8% 23 2.5% 31 2.9% 42 2.8%
62 Other articles of
apparel and clothing
accessories84 8.6% 80 7.0% 54 5.9% 39 3.6% 40 2.7%
42 Articles of leather 17 1.7% 21 1.8% 23 2.5% 27 2.4% 38 2.5%
Subtotal 716 72.9% 839 73.2% 680 74.5% 785 72.2% 1,067 72.5%
Other 266 27.1% 307 26.8% 233 25.5% 302 27.8% 406 27.5%
Total 982 100.0% 1,146 100.0% 913 100.0% 1,087 100.0% 1,472 100.0%
Source: INDEC.Argentina WT/TPR/G/47
Page 47
Table 9 (cont'd)
ARGENTINA
IMPORTS BY MAIN CHAPTER, TRADING BLOC AND COUNTRY
(Millions of dollars)
JAPAN
No. DESCRIPTION 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share Value % share
87 Motor vehicles,
tractors, other
vehicles326 31.4% 297 30.1% 130 18.4% 155 21.3% 309 27.4%
84 Boilers, machinery
and mechanicalappliances157 15.1% 174 17.7% 157 22.1% 176 24.2% 239 21.2%
85 Electrical machinery
and equipment304 29.3% 252 25.5% 151 21.2% 136 18.8% 200 17.8%
73 Articles of iron or
steel7 0.6% 9 0.9% 10 1.4% 6 0.9% 77 6.8%
90 Optical,
photographic and
cinematographicinstruments75 7.3% 78 7.9% 52 7.3% 66 9.1% 73 6.5%
29 Organic chemicals 39 3.7% 46 4.6% 53 7.5% 51 7.0% 66 5.9%
40 Rubber and articles
thereof9 0.9% 9 0.9% 11 1.5% 15 2.1% 27 2.4%
39 Artificial plastics 10 0.9% 16 1.6% 25 3.5% 24 3.3% 23 2.1%
30 Pharmaceutical
products10 0.9% 16 1.6% 20 2.8% 21 2.9% 20 1.8%
37 Photographic or
cinematographicgoods15 1.4% 15 1.5% 16 2.3% 16 2.3% 18 1.6%
Subtotal 951 91.6% 911 92.4% 625 87.9% 667 92.0% 1,052 93.5%
Other 87 8.4% 75 7.6% 86 12.1% 58 8.0% 73 6.5%
Total 1,039 100.0% 986 100.0% 711 100.0% 725 100.0% 1,125 100.0%
Source: INDEC.
__________