U.S.-Latin American trade shifting

U.S.-Latin American trade shifting U.S. trade with Latin American nations has seen some noteworthy shifts during the first six months of 2006, with Venezuela moving into the number two spot behind Mexico in terms of total trade, and Chile moving into the number four spot ahead of Colombia.
   The trade statistics are compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau for trade in goods. Mexico is by far the largest U.S. trade partner in Latin America at $166 billion during the first half, followed by Venezuela at $22.6 billion, Brazil at $21.6 billion, Chile at $8.4 billion, and Colombia at $7.8 billion.
   A detailed analysis of the statistics compiled by the Miami-based Latin Business Chronicle showed that total U.S. trade with Latin America increased 14 percent during the first half to $259.5 billion.
   A 35.9 percent increase in U.S. exports to Venezuela accounted for that country's move into the number two spot, while a 41.2 percent increase in U.S. imports from Chile allowed it to pass Colombia to move into the number four spot.
   Venezuela was the hottest growth market for U.S. exports, followed by Ecuador at 31.2 percent, Haiti'included as part of Latin America in the study'at 27.2 percent, Guatemala at 25.6 percent, and Chile at 25.4 percent.
   Chile had the fastest growth rate in terms of U.S. imports. Bolivia was second at 37.7 percent, followed by Panama at 34 percent, Nicaragua at 29.6 percent, and Ecuador at 24.7 percent.
   The only countries that saw declines in trade volumes with the U.S. were Argentina, down 1.7 percent, Uruguay, down 7.2 percent, and Paraguay, down 11.1 percent.