The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-05
Our Trade with South America.

1t is well known that a committee of the
Association of Manufacturers recently
made a tour in Brazil, Uruguay, and the
Argentine Republic for the purpose Of
studying the conditions of trade and ascer-
tanning how to increase the sale of Ameri-
a products. The outcome of the inquiry
is set forth in the December number of the
North American ReDtcU by Mr.. THEODORE
c. SEARCH, President of the association and
a member of the committee.
Before indicating the directions in which
a large output Of our commodities may be
looked for, Mr.. SEARCH answers some prac-
tical questions concerning the extent Of
South Americas foreign trade and the dis
tribution of its commerce among the vari-
Gus nations. 1t appears that the aggregate
trade of the South American republics with
England, Continental Europe and North
America amounted in 1894 to 500, 0OO,-
900. n is now nearly 500, 900 900. OF
this total about two-thirds was transacted
by Brazil and the Argentine Confederation.
OF all the goods imported into South Amer
lea Brazil takes two-ffths and the Argen-
tine Republic considerably more than a
fourth. In marking the percentage of the
trade with South America transacted
by each Of the principal foreign ma
lions it will be convenient to consider
the exports and imports separately. AS
regards exports from South America
we learn from the table compiled by Mr..
SEARCH that the United States is the largest
buyer of South American products, taking
in 1894 an amoun valued at more than
500, 900, 900, or SIS 200, 900 more than
any other country. France came next with
SS4, 939, 900; then the United Kingdom
with $50, 492, 600, and then Germany with
SS3,4S9. 900. That is to say, the United
States took 23.27 per cent. France about
9.1S per cent, and Germany and the
United Kingdom each about 10. 40 per cent.
There was no proportionate reciprocity,
however, for South American countries buy
more largely Of Great Britain, Germany,
and France than OF the United States.
Thus. of all the foreign goods bought
by South America in 1894, we sold
her only 1869 per cent, whereas Ger
many supplied 1859 per cent, France
20.S2 per cent, and the United Kingdom
a O 81 per cent. Should we, however, deduct
from our imports from South America the
value Of the coffee purchased, about S7O,-
600 600, our trade would assume a condi-
ton more nearly balanced. the imports and
exports being about equal. 1t is also to be
noted that during the last forty-hve years
our trade with South America has ex-
perienced nearly n fivefold augmentation,
while our total foreign trade has increased
in the same period only about four times.
This is encouraging; but the purpose of Mr..
SEARCH's article Is TO show how our COM
merce with South America might be made
to expand at a much greater rate.
AT present the bulk of our exports to the
South American republics consists of prod
ucts which encounter but little or no COM
petition from other countries. Thus, in our
list of exports to South America during the
year ending June 30, 1895, four figured
for 81, $4,000, hog products for Sd, 673,-
900, petroleum for 5 3,203, 900, lumber and
timber for $2,7s4, 900, giving a total of
about Slb,22O, 600 out of exports aggregat-
ing 1913 ,24S 600. The extension of trade In
this class of products depends almost exclu-
sivcly on the local conditions in South
America, the tariffs imposed by the differ
ent Governments, and the treaty relations
OF the United States with those countries.
1t is with an eye to products of this
kind. with which no competition is
feared, hat a renewal OF reciprocity treaties
is most strongly urged. We pass to
those American manufactures which find
in Great Britain their most formidable COM
petitor. 1t is in connection with this sub
ject that the committees Investigations, as
summed up by Mr.. SEARCH, will be found
particularly useful, He selects n few i'm
portant tens of manufactured articles,
whioh are exported both from England and
the United States to South America. The
British figures are for the calendar year of
1895. and the United States figures cover
! the fiscal year ending June 80, 1895. OF