OFFICE OF ECONOMICS

Robert B. Koopman, Director

The International Economic Review is a regular staff publication of the Office of Economics, U.S. International

Trade Commission. The opinions and conclusions contained in this publication are those of the authors and are

not the views of the Commission as a whole or of any individual Commissioner. The IER is produced as part

of the Commission’s international trade monitoring program. Its purpose is to keep the Commission informed

about significant developments in international economics and trade and to maintain the Commission’s readiness

to carry out its responsibility to provide technical information and advice on international trade matters to

policymakers in the Congress and the Executive Branch. The information and analysis in this series are for the

purpose of this publication only. Nothing in this publication should be construed to indicate how the Commission would find in an investigation conducted under any statutory authority. The IER is available to Government officials outside the Commission on a request basis. The IER also is available on the Commision’s

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or to:

Editor, International Economic Review

Country and Regional Analysis Division/OE, Room 602

U.S. International Trade Commission

500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436

Telephone (202) 205-3216
November/December 2004 International Economic Review

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

International Trade Developments

Energy Use in China: Trends in Oil Demand and Imports

Since 1994 China has been the second largest consumer of energy, lagging behind only the United States.

In 2002 it surpassed Japan to also become the second largest consumer of oil, and by 2003 accounted

for 7.6 percent of total world oil use and 12.1 percent of world energy use. As China becomes an

increasingly important player in world energy markets, its behavior has the potential to impact world

energy prices. This article provides an overview of energy use in China, with specific attention to

trends in Chinese oil production and consumption.

(Joanne Guth and Melissa Ginsberg, 202--205--3264) 1 ..........................................

The Expanded Andean Trade Preferences Act and a U.S. Free Trade Agreement with its

Beneficiaries

As the United States begins negotiations with Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia for a United States--

Andean free trade agreement, 86 percent of combined U.S. imports from these countries are already

free of duty. For these Andean countries, the principal reason for desiring this trade agreement is to

ensure that their preferential access to the U.S. market becomes permanent, thus it will contribute

to more stable economic conditions and foreign investment inflows.

(Magda Kornis, 202--205--3261) 11 ..........................................................

U.S. Trade Developments ...................................................... 17

(Michael Youssef, 202--205--3269)

International Economic Comparisons ....................................... 47

(Michael Youssef, 202--205--3269)

Statistical Tables ................................................................ 55

(Michael Youssef, 202--205--3269)