Asia Pacific Trade, Exports and Imports

Asia Pacific trade, exports and imports are difficult to generalize, as many countries in this region, such as China and North Korea, have separate trade agendas. Asia Pacific has a strong manufacturing market due to the availability of cheap labor. This translates into manufacturing huge amounts of textiles, electronics, automotive products, heavy equipment, consumer durable goods, and more. China, Japan and South Korea are major exporters of automobiles, industrial equipment and heavy machinery. Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Malaysia are major exporters of semiconductors and electronic products. China and Indonesia are leaders in oil and textile exports. The Asia Pacific region also imports oil and raw materials from Middle East and Latin America. Also, luxury items, cars and electronics are imported from Europe and the USA. Major import commodities include food, energy products, defense equipment, aviation equipment, heavy vehicles and raw materials.
Asia Pacific Trade: Japan Import and Export Statistics

Japanese exports and imports fell by 30% in 2009. The exports fell by $516.3 billion in 2009 from $747 billion in 2008. The imports to Japan amounted to $490.6 billion, down 30.7 % from 2008. Japan also earned $25.7 billion trade surplus in 2009, down 32.7% from $38.2 billion in 2008. The following table shows distribution of Japan’s import partners (in percentages).

Japan’s import partners (in percentages)

The following table shows Japan’s exports to the US for some commodities and the gain/loss percentage in 2009 compared to 2008.
Commodity
   
Export Worth
   
Gain/Loss Percentage

Passenger cars
   

$24.1 billion
   

-41.7%

Automotive parts
   

$6.3 billion
   

-29.5%Computer accessories
   

$5.3 billion
   

-20.8%

Industrial machinery
   

$5.1 billion
   

-22.2%

Electric products
   

$3 billion
   

-23.6%

Semiconductors
   

$2.4 billion
   

-31.2%

Engines
   

$2.3 billion
   

-36.1%

Pharmaceuticals
   

$2.29 billion
   

-10.3%

Medical equipment
   

$2.26 billion
   

-12.1%

Source: http://import-export.suite101.com/article.cfm/japan-trade-statistics-2009

The following table shows Japan’s imports from the US for some commodities and the gain/loss percentage in 2009 compared to 2008.
Commodity
   
Export Worth
   
Gain/Loss Percentage

Civilian aircrafts
   

$4.2 billion
   

-18.2%

Medicinal equipment
   

$2.8 billion
   

-1.7%

Pharmaceuticals
   

$2.5 billion
   

32.2%

Meat and Poultry
   

$2.1 billion
   

3.2%

Telecom equipment
   

$1.7 billion
   

-8.4%

Household goods
   

$1.5 billion
   

-10.6%

Industrial machinery
   

$1.45 billion
   

-39.4%

Chemicals
   

$1.2 billion
   

-14.8%

Soybeans
   

$1.1 billion
   

-20.1%

Source: http://import-export.suite101.com/article.cfm/japan-trade-statistics-2009
Asia Pacific Trade: China Import and Export Statistics

China’s primary export commodities include electrical goods, apparel, textiles, iron and steel, optical and medical equipment. The following table shows China’s exports in the year 2008 and 2009 (data in USD trillion).

China’s exports in the year 2008 and 2009 (data in USD trillion)

The following table shows the distribution of China’s export partners in percentages.

China’s export partners In percentage

China’s primary import commodities include oil and mineral fuels, optical and medical equipment, metal ores, plastics and organic chemicals. The following table shows China’s imports in the year 2008 and 2009 in USD trillion.

China’s imports in year 2008 and 2009

The following table shows the distribution of China’s import partners in percentages.

China’s import partners