The computer equipment industry suffered a slight erosion in its world export market share during the early 1990s, and a traditionally strong U.S. trade surplus turned into a deficit. Imports rose almost three times faster than exports, which grew at a moderate rate of 5.8 percent annually from 1989 to 1993. Recovery in Western Europe and Japan and robust growth in the rapidly expanding markets of Asia and Latin America will boost U.S. exports. Electronic computer systems include digital computers of all sizes, from supercomputers to handheld portables, as well as computer kits assembled by the purchaser. Exports are total f.a.s.
Imports are customs value.
The U.S. computer industry continues to become increasingly global in nature, entering and expanding in fast-growing markets around the world. Spending in Asia also has risen, as suppliers establish manufacturing operations to serve burgeoning markets in China and South Korea, and to benefit from lower labor rates. Another major factor in the industry's globalization has been the attempt to circumvent tariff and nontariff barriers in many countries. Dataquest Many foreign governments continue to pursue restrictive trade and investment policies that adversely affect U.S. exports by limiting imports. They also erect tariff and nontariff barriers to protect local suppliers and force the transfer of technology.