PREFACE

The Industry Trade and Technology Review (ITTR) is a quarterly staff publication of the Office

of Industries, U.S. International Trade Commission. The opinions and conclusions contained in this report are

those of the authors and are not the views of the Commission as a whole or of any individual Commissioner.

The report is intended to provide analysis of important issues and insights into the global position of U.S.

industries, the technological competitiveness of the United States, and implications of trade and policy

developments.

The information and analysis in this series are for the purpose of this report only. Nothing in this

report should be construed to indicate how the Commission would find in an investigation conducted under

any statutory authority.

Inquiries or comments on items in this report may be made directly to the author, or to:

Director of Industries

U. S. International Trade Commission

500 E Street, SW

Washington, DC 20436

Fax: 202-205-3161

Industry Trade and Technology Review is posted on the Commission’s Internet site at

www.usitc.gov (Publications). Requests for copies of the ITTR, or to be added to the mailing list, should be

addressed to the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW,

Washington, DC 20436, or by fax: 202-205-2104.

Quarterly Review Staff

Larry Brookhart

Karl Tsuji

assisted by

Zema Tucker

Sharon Greenfield

Monica Reed

Contributing Authors

William Chadwick Jr.

Ralph Watkins

Robert A. Rogowsky

Director of Operations

Acting Director of Industries




































NOVEMBER 2003

Industry Trade and Technology Review Key Performance Indicators

A-1

APPENDIX A

Key Performance Indicators of Selected

Industries and Regions1

Title Author1 Page

Steel Harry Lenchitz

(202) 205-2737

hlenchitz@usitc.gov

A-2

A-3

Automobiles Laura A. Polly

(202) 205-3408

polly@usitc.gov

A-4

Unwrought Aluminum Judith-Anne Webster

(202) 205-3489

webster@usitc.gov

A-5

Flat Glass Vincent DeSapio

(202) 205-3435

desapio@usitc.gov

A-6

Services Cynthia Payne

(202) 205-3410

payne@usitc.gov

A-7

North American Trade Ruben Mata

(202) 205-3403

mata@usitc.gov

A-8

A-9

1 The data and views presented for the following indicators are compiled from the industry sources noted and are

those of the authors. They are not the views of the United States International Trade Commission as a whole or of

any individual Commissioner. Nothing contained in this information based on published sources should be

construed to indicate how the Commission would find in an investigation conducted under any statutory authority.
NOVEMBER 2003

Key Performance Indicators Industry Trade and Technology Review

A-2

STEEL

• Republic Engineered Products LLC, a producer of special bar quality steel, secured U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval for a $45

million debtor-in-possession financing agreement on October 10, 2003. The agreement allowed Republic to resume operations

at all 7 of its plant locations, which had been shut down for several days after filing for protection under Chapter 11 of the

U.S. bankruptcy laws on October 6, 2003. See http://www.republicengineered.com

 

• Georgetown Steel Company LLC, a producer of carbon steel wire rod, shut down its mill indefinitely after filing for protection

under Chapter 11 of the U.S. bankruptcy laws on October 21, 2003. Georgetown executives cited rising input costs and

weak market conditions as reasons for the bankruptcy filing. See http://www.gscrods.com

 

• The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation assumed responsibility for the pensions of 9,200 workers and retirees of Weirton

Steel Corp. on October 21, 2003. Weirton, a producer of sheet steel and tin mill products, has been operating as a debtor-inpossession since filing for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. bankruptcy laws on May 19, 2003. See

http://www.pbgc.gov and http://www.weirton.com

 

• Rouge Industries and its subsidiaries, Rouge Steel Company, QS Steel, and Eveleth Taconite Company, filed for protection

under Chapter 11 of the U.S. bankruptcy laws on October 22, 2003. On the same day, Rouge announced that it had reached

a non-binding agreement to sell its assets to Severstal, Russia's second-largest steel producer. In accordance with the

bankruptcy laws, other companies will have an opportunity to submit bids through a court-supervised process. See

http://www.rougesteel.com

 

Table A–1

Imports decrease and exports increase significantly during second quarter and first half of 2003

compared to second quarter and first half of 2002

Item Q2 2003

Percentage

change, Q2 2003

from 

Q2 2002 Q1 20031

Percentage

change, YTD

2003 from 

YTD 2002

Producers’ shipments (1,000 short tons) ............. 25,887 1.1 51,924 4.8

Finished imports (1,000 short tons) .................. 4,391 -10.2 9,504 -11.5

Ingots, blooms, billets, and slabs (1,000 short tons) ... 1,039 -42.4 2,370 -43.3

Exports (1,000 short tons) ........................... 2,671 84.7 4,657 59.6

Apparent supply, finished (1,000 short tons) ........... 27,607 -5.0 56,771 -1.0

Ratio of finished imports to apparent supply (percent) . . 15.9 2-0.9 16.7 22.0

1

 Preliminary.

2

 Percentage point change.

Note.–Because of rounding, figures may not add to the totals shown.

Source: American Iron and Steel Institute.
NOVEMBER 2003

Industry Trade and Technology Review Key Performance Indicators

A-3

STEEL

Table A–2

Steel service centers: Shipments decrease during second quarter 2003 compared to second quarter

2002

Item Mar. 2003 June 2003

Percentage

change, June

2003 from

 Mar. 2003 Q2 2002 Q2 2003

Percentage

change, Q2

2003 from

 Q2 2002

Shipments (1,000 short tons) .......... 4,151 4,045 -2.6 12,956 12,641 -2.8

Ending inventories (1,000 short tons) ... 14,181 12,836 -9.5 13,232 12,836 -3.0

Inventories on hand (months) ......... 3.4 3.2 (

1

) 3.2 3.2 (

1

)

 

1

 Not applicable.

Note.–Metals Service Center Institute data collection and presentation methods have been updated. Data

presented for second quarter 2002, second quarter 2003, and Mar. 2003 have been updated, and differ from

previously published data.

Source: Metals Service Center Institute.

• U.S. service center steel shipments and inventories for second quarter 2003 were down compared to

shipments and inventories for second quarter 2002 (table A-2), according to the Metals Service Center Institute. 

Ending inventories were down significantly as service centers increased shipments by more than 7 percent

during second quarter 2003 compared to first quarter 2003. See http://www.ssci.org

 

• The American Institute for International Steel import market survey (October 2003) predicts increased imports of

semifinished steel and decreased imports of hot-rolled sheet and cut-to-length plate during the next 3 to 5

months. The survey predicts no significant changes in imports of cold-rolled sheet, wire rod, corrosion

resistant, merchant bar, and pipe and tube. Imports of structurals and stainless sheet are predicted to trend

slightly upward. See http://www.aiis.org

 

• World crude steel production for the first 9 months of 2003 was approximately 773 million tons, an increase of

more than 7 percent compared with the first 9 months of 2002, according to the International Iron and Steel

Institute. China produced 176 million tons, an increase of almost 22 percent compared with the first 9 months

of 2002. See http://www.worldsteel.org

 

• U.S. exports continued to increase, for the fourth consecutive quarter, during second quarter 2003, but slow

growth in domestic demand left U.S. producers’ capability utilization essentially unchanged. (figure A-2). See

http://www.steel.org
NOVEMBER 2003

Key Performance Indicators Industry Trade and Technology Review

A-4

AUTOMOBILES

Table A–3

U.S. sales of new passenger vehicles (cars and light trucks), domestic and imported, and share of U.S. market

accounted for by sales of total imports and Japanese imports, by specified periods, January 2002-September 2003

Percentage change 

Item

July.-Sept.

2003

Jan.-Sept.

2003

July-Sept. 2003

from

Apr.-June 2003

Jan.-Sept. 2003

from

Jan.-Sept. 2002

U.S. sales of domestic passenger vehicles (1,000 units)

1

......... 3,550 10,144 -1.4 -2.5

U.S. sales of imported passenger vehicles (1,000 units)

2

......... 897 2,534 3.9 2.0

Total U.S. sales (1,000 units)

1, 2

............................ 4,447 12,679 -0.4 -1.7

Ratio of U.S. sales of imported passenger vehicles to total U.S. 

sales (percent)

1, 2

..................................... 20.2 20.0 4.4 3.8

U.S. sales of Japanese imports as a share of the total U.S.

market (percent)

1

..................................... 10.8 10.7 6.9 4.0

1

 Domestic passenger vehicles include U.S.-, Canadian-, and Mexican-built cars and light trucks sold in the United States.

2

 Imported passenger vehicles do not include cars and light trucks supplied by Canada and Mexico.

Note.–Data for 2003 forward include cars and light trucks; year-to-date data for 2002 also include cars and light trucks. 

Source: Compiled from data obtained from Automotive News.

 

• In September, the U.S. Big Three (GM, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler AG’s Chrysler Group) and major suppliers

Delphi and Visteon, concluded new labor contracts with the United Auto Workers (UAW). In exchange for

protecting member health care benefits, the UAW accepted lower wage increases and agreed to plans to reduce

overcapacity through plant closures. Such closures reportedly could affect 10 plants. The 5 firms may shed up to

50,000 employees in the next 4 years.

 

• U.S. production in the third quarter was affected by the electrical blackout that struck a large part of the Northeast

and upper Midwest in mid-August. Automaker efforts to avoid a second blackout by running at partial capacity or

delaying the restart of operations when the blackout ended compounded the loss of production. Plans for fourth

quarter production could bring total U.S. production for 2003 to the industry's fourth-best year ever.

 

• Japanese automakers Toyota, Honda, and Nissan may end the year selling a record number of vehicles in the

United States. Their forecasted sales may exceed 40 percent of total sales of U.S. Big Three nameplate vehicles. 

Japanese automakers - traditionally more reluctant to offer consumer incentives - have been increasing

incentives, and are also aggressively seeking increased market share by lowering sticker prices on 2004 models

or holding the line on new car prices. In contrast, the Big Three will be raising sticker prices for 2004 models. In

August, Big Three incentives topped $4,000 per vehicle. 
NOVEMBER 2003

Industry Trade and Technology Review Key Performance Indicators

A-5

UNWROUGHT ALUMINUM1

• China is building one-third of the 10.4-ton output per year of primary aluminum capacity under construction

worldwide, and many analysts are evaluating structural changes in the Chinese aluminum industry to predict the

long-term outlook for aluminum. China’s newly created State Development & Reform Commission recently urged

local authorities not to approve any new aluminum smelting projects because of oversupply concerns as well as

increasing demand on the Chinese power sector. A slowdown in the expansion of aluminum production capacity

in China could support higher prices worldwide and bolster the financial prospects of an industry which has

 struggled for the past 3 years

 

• In September, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) in the U.S. Pacific Northwest announced a slight

increase in power rates (2.2 percent) beginning October 2003. However, bulk power customers were able to

negotiate a 7.4- percent reduction (bringing costs lower than their pre-October rates). Nonetheless, many

aluminum companies, such as Alcoa’s Intalco subsidiary, indicate that this decrease is not enough for them to

consider restarting production in the Pacific Northwest. BPA’s next rate adjustment is schedule for April 1, 2004. 

 

 

Table A–4

Import penetration declined by 2.1 percent in the second quarter of 2003 as consumption lagged

and production remained stable

 Percentage change

Item Q2 2002 Q1 2003 Q2 2003

Q2 2003

from 

 Q2 2002

Q2 2003

from 

Q1 2003

Primary production (1,000 metric tons) ............ 669r 700r 674 0.7 -3.7

Secondary recovery (1,000 metric tons) ............ 742r 721r 8 -0.5 2.4

Imports (1,000 metric tons) ....................... 738 826 746 1.1 -9.7

Import penetration (percent) ...................... 35.7 37.6 35.5 1-0.2 1-2.1

Exports (1,000 metric tons) ....................... 82 50 56 -31.7 12.0

Average nominal price (cents/lb) .................. 65.8 67.6 66.5 0.9 -1.7

LME inventory level (1,000 metric tons) ............ 1,255 1,318 1,142 -9.0 -13.5

1

 Percentage point change

Note.–Revised data indicated by “r.”

Sources: Compiled from data obtained from U.S. Geological Survey and World Bureau of Metal Statistics.

1

 Product coverage includes only unwrought aluminum and certain aluminum alloys for improved data

comparability.
NOVEMBER 2003

Key Performance Indicators Industry Trade and Technology Review

A-6

FLAT GLASS

Background

 

• Although the U.S.-Japanese agreement on Japanese market access for imports of flat glass which sought to

increase access and sales of foreign flat glass in Japan expired on December 31, 1999,1 the U.S.

Government continues to urge the Japanese Government to take steps to promote access and competition in

its glass market and continues to work with U.S. industry to achieve these goals.2 The U.S. Government has

had some success in urging Japan to modify regulations that would facilitate use of energy-efficient glass in

Japan. 

 

• U.S. and Japanese negotiators have agreed that Japan’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI), in conjunction

with the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC), should monitor Japanese flat glass manufacturers and the

glass distribution system in Japan to promote competition in the sector.3

 

 

Current

 

• Increased Japanese demand for imported flat glass, encouraged by a somewhat more positive outlook for

the Japanese economy, increased average monthly Japanese imports from all countries by 4 percent for the

first 8 months of 2003 to 2.4 million square meters compared with the same period of 2002. The average

monthly value of total Japanese flat glass imports increased 13 percent during the first 8 months of 2003 to

$16.4 million compared with the same period in 2002. Average monthly Japanese imports in quantity for fullyear 2002 increased 8 percent over the same imports for full-year 2001. 

 

• Average monthly Japanese imports from the United States increased by quantity and value during the first 8

months of 2003 compared to the same period in 2002 (up 6 percent to 282,000 square meters and up 27

percent to $5.7 million, respectively) due largely to increased demand in Japan for higher-value constructionrelated flat glass products from the United States. Average monthly imports from the United States for fullyear 2002 decreased 32 percent in quantity and 54 percent in value over the same imports for full-year 2001.

 

1

 Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), The President’s 1999 Annual Report on the Trade

Agreements Program, p. 227, downloaded from http://www.ustr.gov/reports/tpa/2000index.html on Mar. 3, 2000.

2

 U.S. Department of State cable, 2003 National Trade Estimate Report - Japan, message reference No.

8640, prepared by U.S. Embassy, Tokyo, Dec. 16, 2002.

3

 USTR, Annual Submission by the Government of the United States to the Government of Japan on

Deregulation and Competition Policy, Oct. 12, 2000, p. 32.
NOVEMBER 2003

Industry Trade and Technology Review Key Performance Indicators

A-7

SERVICES
NOVEMBER 2003

Key Performance Indicators Industry Trade and Technology Review

 

1 Certain types of autos assembled in Mexico have lost popularity in the U.S. market, contributing to the decline in U.S. imports

of passenger cars from Mexico. There has been a decrease in Mexico’s production of the Ford Escort, Chrysler PT Cruiser, and

Volkswagen New Beetle and Jetta. Reflecting the orientation of the U.S. consumer toward light trucks (including sport utility

vehicles and minivans) rather than passenger cars, General Motors has increased sharply its imports of pickups assembled in

Mexico.

 

2 Bombardier reported that its exports of regional aircraft to the United States grew by 39 percent ($1.1 billion) to $4.1 billion in

the first half of 2003 as major U.S. air carriers replaced older, less energy-efficient aircraft with smaller planes. “Bombardier’s

Second Quarter,” Newsedge, found at http://www.newsedge-web.com/NewsEdge, retrieved Nov. 4, 2004.

 

3

“Mexican Economy at a Standstill,” Emerging Markets Online, found at http://www.businessmonitor.com/cgi-bin/, retrieved

June 8, 2003.

A-8

NORTH AMERICAN TRADE HIGHLIGHTS

U.S. trade with its North American partners is highlighted in table A-5. The following is a summary of key

developments in the first half of 2003.

• Total U.S. imports from Canada and Mexico increased 4.8 percent ($8.2 billion) to $179.1 billion during

January-June 2003 over the corresponding period in 2002, with crude petroleum, petroleum products, and

natural gas together accounting for 15 percent ($27.4 billion) of the total. Higher prices for petroleum and

natural gas in the first half of 2003 accounted for much of this increase, and reflected heightened demand for

natural gas to fuel power-generation plants. Imports of petroleum from Canada and Mexico rose 41 percent

($4.8 billion), while imports of natural gas from Canada nearly doubled, climbing by $5.3 billion. Collectively,

U.S. imports of all other articles from Canada and Mexico dropped 1.2 percent ($1.9 billion).

• North American automotive trade reflects shifts in production as auto companies assembled an increasing

share of their vehicles for the U.S. market in the United States rather than in Canada or Mexico. In the first half

of 2003, U.S. imports of passenger cars from Mexico and Canada declined by 5 percent ($1.2 billion),1 while

imports of certain parts for U.S. vehicle assembly plants grew by 6 percent ($415 million) from Canada and

Mexico.

• With fewer vehicles overall being assembled in Canada and Mexico for export to the United States, there was

a 4-percent ($420-million) decline in U.S. exports of auto parts to its North American partners in the first half of

2003.

• Despite appreciation of the Canadian dollar vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar, U.S. imports from Canada increased 6

percent ($6.5 billion) in the first half of 2003, amounting to $112 billion. In addition to the hike in imports of

natural gas and petroleum (up by $8.0 billion) and the growth in imports of certain motor vehicle parts,

imports of aircraft rose by 33 percent ($695 million) as U.S. carriers bought more regional aircraft from

Bombardier.2

• The growth in U.S. imports of energy products and regional aircraft from Canada in the first half of 2003 was

partially offset by reduced imports of lumber, computer parts, and telephone equipment. Decreased U.S.

imports of computer and telephone equipment reflect shifting production to China and elsewhere in Asia.

• Notwithstanding a 0.3-percent contraction in Canadian GDP during the second quarter of 2003, exports to

Canada from the United States increased by 5-percent ($3.7 billion) to $75.9 billion during January-June

2003. Exports of passenger cars and buses grew by 18 percent ($1.4 billion). The value of natural-gas and

electrical energy exports about tripled, rising by $428 million and $240 million, respectively.

• Mexico’s GDP posted a marginal 0.2 percent second quarter-to-quarter growth (2003/2002), reflecting the

nascent recovery in the U.S. economy in the first half of 2003 and reduced demand for assembly services,

which account for over one-half of Mexico’s exports to the United States. The slumping maquiladora sector,

which employs nearly 1 million assembly workers, led to weaker-than-projected consumer confidence and

less domestic spending.3

• U.S. imports from Mexico continued to be constrained by sluggishness in the U.S. economy, which accounts

for nearly 85 percent of Mexico’s total exports. U.S. imports from Mexico increased 2 percent ($1.6 billion)

during the first half 2003 over the corresponding period, rising to $67 billion. Crude petroleum alone rose by

39 percent ($1.8 billion). Imports of telephone equipment rebounded after declining sharply in 2002.
NOVEMBER 2003

Industry Trade and Technology Review Key Performance Indicators

 

4 Microsoft has shifted its contract for the production of the X-box video game console from Mexico to China, leading to an 89-

percent ($265-million) fall in U.S. imports of games from Mexico in the first half of 2003.

 

5 Although Mexico has lost some of its dominant share of the U.S. market for televisions to China, particularly for smaller-sized

models, the main reason for the decline in U.S. exports of cathode ray tubes to Mexico was the growing U.S. market for flat

screen televisions (which do not use picture tubes). Exports to Mexico of liquid crystal displays, including those for flat screen

televisions, nearly doubled in the first half of 2003, or by $117 billion. Exports of other television parts increased by 9 percent

($55 million).

A-9

NORTH AMERICAN TRADE HIGHLIGHTS

Table A-5

North American trade, 1998-2002, January-June 2002, and January-June 2003

Percent

January-June change

Item 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003 2002/03

——————————Value (million dollars)——————————

U.S.-Mexico trade:

Total imports from Mexico ........ 93,017 109,018 134,734 130,509 134,121 65,577 67,194 2

U.S. imports under NAFTA:

Total value .................. 68,326 71,317 83,995 81,162 84,747 41,477 43,111 4

Percent of total imports ....... 73 65 62 62 63 63 64 11

Total exports to Mexico ........... 75,369 81,381 100,442 90,537 86,076 42,512 40,395 -5

U.S. merchandise trade balance

with Mexico2................. -17,648 -27,637 -34,292 -39,971 -48,045 -23,065 -26,799 -16

U.S. -Canada trade:

Total imports from Canada ....... 174,685 198,242 229,060 216,836 210,518 105,331 111,878 6

U.S. imports under NAFTA:

Total value .................. 111,675 115,715 123,052 113,179 115,807 58,020 59,204 2

Percent of total imports ....... 64 58 54 52 55 55 53 1

-2

Total exports to Canada ......... 137,768 145,731 155,601 144,621 142,543 72,257 75,965 5

U.S. merchandise trade balance 

with Canada3................ -36,918 -52,511 -73,459 -72,215 -67,975 -33,073 -35,913 -9

1Percentage-point change.

2

 The negative (-) symbol indicates a decline in trade, a trade deficit, or an expansion in the trade deficit. The

$48.0-billion deficit in U.S. merchandise trade with Mexico in 2002 was partially offset by a $4.7-billion U.S.

surplus in bilateral services trade.

3

 The $68.0-billion deficit in U.S. merchandise trade with Canada in 2002 was partially offset by a $5.8-billion

U.S. surplus in bilateral services trade. During the first half of 2003, the U.S. surplus in bilateral services trade

was $4.3 billion, not seasonally adjusted.

 

Source: Compiled by USITC staff from official statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Statistics on U.S.

services trade with Canada and Mexico are based on preliminary data provided in U.S. Department of

Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, “U.S. International Transactions Accounts Data,” tables 10 and 10a,

found at http://www.BEA.DOC.GOV/BEA/International/BP_web/list.CFM?ANON=92.

• After passenger cars, electronic products assembled in the maquiladora sector were chiefly responsible for

the decline in non-petroleum trade between the United States and Mexico. The contraction was sharpest in

U.S. imports of computer equipment; radio and television transmission apparatus, television cameras, and

camcorders; television receivers; and video games.4

 

• Contraction of Mexico’s maquiladora sector in the first half of 2003 was chiefly responsible for the 5-percent

($2.1- billion) decline in U.S. exports during that period ($40.4 billion). Besides auto parts, the largest

decreases in U.S. exports were of cathode ray tubes (chiefly for the assembly of television receivers and

computer monitors),5 passenger cars, and integrated circuits and micro assemblies. These declines were

partially offset by a doubling of exports of computer parts in the first half of 2003 as computer hardware

assembly rebounded following a significant decline in 2002.