Port of Miami says China now top trade partner

Port of Miami says China now top trade partner Trade statistics compiled for the Port of Miami for 2005 show that China is now the port's single largest trade partner.
   China accounted for nearly 1 million tons of total import and export cargo'or nearly 10 percent of all trade volumes. China had moved up to the number two spot in 2004, and in this year surpasses Honduras, which is now ranked number two.
   Although China is the single country with the highest trade tonnage, the total Latin American market still combines more trade than Asia.
      Transshipments account for much of the China volumes. Much of the China cargo brought into the Port of Miami is re-exported throughout Latin America and the Caribbean islands.
   The growth in trade involving China has been dramatic. Port director Charles Towsley noted in an interview with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that when he became port director in 1998, China was not even in the top 25 trade partners for the port.
   China ranked 14th as recently as 2003.