Evening star., 1941-03-20
Latin America Gains
Balance Of Trade
Over U. 5. in January
Trend of First Year
Of War Is Reversed
Under Defense Program
BY OLIVER MCKEE.

In their trade with the United
States, the republics of Latin Amer
lea, as a group, had a substantial
balance in their favor in January
a tabulation of Commerce Depart
ment figures revealed today. Janu-
ary imports from these countries
had a total value of approximately
S68 100000, as compared with ship
ments from the United States valued
at $55 100000.
The present trend in favor of
Latin America represents marked
change from the trade pattern dur
ing the first year of the European
war. From September. 1899, through
the end of August, 1910, our exports
to the Latin American Republics
were valued at s733, ,135 ,0O0-a SO per
cent increase over the value of the
shipments during the proceeding r.
month period. Imports from Latin
America in the first year of the war
were valued at S6l5,9l5 900, so the
balance of trade during this period
was heavily in favor of the United
States
Three factors explain reversal of
trend, Government trade experts
said today First, the Export-Im-
port Bank loans, which have
strengthened the exchange and
financial position of several Latin
American countries. Second. in
creased purchases by the United
States of strategic materials needed
in the national defense program.
Third, decline in United States
exports in recent months, due in
part to import restrictions by GER
tain Latin American countries.
IL Have Favorable Balances.
Of the 20 Latin American repub-
lies, II sold to the United States
more than they purchased from this
country in January, according to
Commerce Department figures.
These were Cuba, Guatemala, Ell
Salvador. Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile,
Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina,
Brazil and Bolivia.
January exports to Argentina were
valued at S5,300,0OO, as compared
with imports of S11, 10000 For the
slX-month period ending last De-
cember, exports to Argentina were
valued at s42 ,891 900, against i'm
ports valued at s37518,0O0. Our
January purchases from Uruguay
totaled S6452,00O. while our ship
ments to that country amounted to
only 1855 ,000 Imports from Uruguay
included large quantities of raw
wool. Exports to Brazil in January
totaled S9.2l6,000, against imports
of S1l644,000.
Before the war Latin American
countries depended on Europe to
meet a substantial part of their i'm
port requirements Since European
supplies have been largely cut off.
they must necessarily look to the
United States.
Flow of Goods Expedited.
Officials of the State Department
and the Office of Co-ordinator of
Cultural and Economic Relations
Between the American Republics, it
was learned today, are trying to
work out arrangements which will
assure a flow to Latin American
countries of the goods which thev
need from this country. Export
control measures and prorities under
the defense program are two impor-
tant factors.
For the calendar year 1910 ex-
ports to the 20 Latin American re-
publics totaled s726 6,ooo,o 900, approx
imately s1OO,OOO,OOO more than our
purchases from these countries. In
December imports slightly exceeded
exports. In January the margin
between the tsso widened.