Foreign trade of Argentina

This article is about the foreign trade of Argentina. See economy of Argentina for a more general overview.

Modern history

Agriculturally and thinly populated, Argentina recorded trade surpluses for most of the period between 1900 and 1948, including a cumulative US$1 billion during World War I and US$1.7 billion during World War II. Record taxes on grain exports imposed by the administration of President Juan Perón and an increasing need for costly fuel and machinery helped result in a nearly-unbroken string of trade deficits between 1949 and 1962, however.

Port call on Buenos Aires' southside wharf (La Boca), circa 1888. Financed mostly with British capital, massive dock works touched off a foreign trade boom that reshaped the previously isolated Argentine economy.

Perón and, most notably, the administration of President Arturo Frondizi, encouraged foreign (as well as local) investment in energy and industry as part of a developmentalist policy of import substitution industrialization. Drawn to an economy that provided Latin America's highest standard of living, domestic and foreign investors responded, industrial production more than doubled, and the country's trade position remained modestly positive throughout the 1963–79 era, even as domestic demand grew.

Argentina throughout its history has always depended on foreign trade to achieve a solid economic and social growth. Argentina developed an agro-export model where they were highly dependent on the external sector. The country used to export all their commodities to a growing population of Europe. After this, Argentina started a new period of import substitution where the idea was to reach an industrialized nation. After several military governments, and highly instability periods as hyperinflation and the commercial liberalization of the nineties, Argentina had it worst crisis in 2001.

Policies of "free trade" financial deregulation pursued by Argentina's last dictatorship led to a sudden, record deficit in 1980 and, by 1981, a mountain of bad debts and financial collapse. The climate of slack domestic demand that prevailed in Argentina throughout the 1980s resulted in a cumulative US$38 billion in surpluses from 1982 to 1991; this brought the economy little direct benefit, however, as much of this was deposited abroad during that era of interest payment burdens and financial instability.

Economy Minister Domingo Cavallo enacted the Convertibility Law of 1991, pegging the monetary value of the Argentine peso to the United States dollar. The fixed exchange rate (1 peso to the dollar) allowed for a macroeconomic stabilization. Taking advantage of this low exchange rate, on the lower tariffs on imports and on the reappearance of credit after the free trade liberalization measures taken by President Carlos Menem's administration, Argentine firms and consumers tripled capital goods purchases from 1990 to 1994, while depressed auto sales rose by fivefold. The influx of imported machines and supplies helped the modernization of the country's industrial base; but it negatively impacted its trade balance, which accumulated US$22 billion in deficits from 1992 to 1999; the current account deficit, which would include growing foreign debt interest payments and deficits in trade in services, reached a record deficit of US$14 billion in 1998 alone.

Relying on sizable foreign investment inflows to balance the current account, these did not suffice and the Central Bank was again forced to resort to borrowing to protect the peso's value against such pressure (mostly by floating bonds, then the most sought-after in the developing world). Recession helped lead to a US$1 billion surplus in 2000 and another US$6 billion in 2001; but it was too little, too late. Buffeted by generalized global instability, the international derivatives market massively shorted Argentine bonds in the second half of 2001 and on December 23, following a spate of unpopular crisis measures, the Argentine government declared a default on US$93 billion of its bonds, the largest sovereign debt default in history.

Crisis and recovery

Immediately after the collapse of the Argentine economy at the end of 2001 and the devaluation of the peso in 2002, imports fell over half and Argentina's trade surplus soared to over US$16 billion, providing for the first current account surplus since 1990. As recovery ensued and the exchange rate stabilized around 3 pesos/dollar, exports (mainly soy, cereals and other agricultural products, as well as machinery and fuels) grew steadily.

Imports began recovering sharply in 2003, as both the purchasing power of the peso and domestic demand increased, and, despite this, from 2003 to 2011 the nation's merchandise trade balance recorded a cumulative US$115 billion in surpluses. These surpluses were bolstered as much by growing exports as by a marked recovery in terms of trade for Argentina, which by 2010 had improved 40% over the level prevailing in the 1990s. The nation's perennial trade deficit in manufactures widened during this expansion, however, and exceeded US$30 billion in 2011. Accordingly, the system of non-automatic import licensing was extended in 2011, and regulations were enacted for the auto sector establishing a model by which a company's future imports would be determined by their exports (though not necessarily in the same rubric). Domestic production grew to supply the majority of the Argentine market in a number of important rubrics historically dominated by imports amid these changes, including diverse manufactures such as information technology, major appliances, footwear, and farm machinery.

Argentina's exports and imports (FOB), in millions of USD, 1992–2004.

Commercial relationships

Mercosur

Mercosur - the customs union that includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay - entered into force January 1, 1995; Bolivia, Chile, and Venezuela joined the pact subsequently as associate members. Cooperation between Brazil and Argentina (historic competitors) is the key to Mercosur's integration process, which includes political and military elements in addition to a customs union; Brazil accounts for 74% of Mercosur GDP and Argentina about 23%. Argentine intra-Mercosur trade rose dramatically from US$4 billion in 1991 to US$23 billion in 1998; it declined to US$9 billion during the 2002 crisis, but recovered quickly and reached US$44 billion in 2011 (28% of the Argentine total). More than 90% of intra-Mercosur trade is duty-free, while the group's common external tariff (CET) applies to more than 85% of imported goods. Remaining goods will be phased into the CET by 2006.

Brazil's higher level of industrialization and production capacity, as well as other economic asymmetries, have been a source of tension with Argentina. Following the 2001-02 crisis, Argentina's recovering industrial sector has pressured the government to obtain restrictions (especially quotas) on Mercosur's free trade regulations, in order to protect their growth from what they see as disloyal competition from their larger partner to the north. Exports to Brazil helped lessen the impact of the crisis on the industrial sector somewhat, though Argentina's intra-Mercosur trade yielded it a cumulative US$15 billion deficit from 2004 to 2008. A renewed devaluation of the peso contributed to a US$700 million surplus with Mercosur in 2009, though deficits of US$1.8 billion were recorded in 2010 and 2011.

China

Trade with China was negligible until 1992; it later grew rapidly and by 2009, China became Argentina's second largest trading partner. Argentine exports to the Asian giant are mainly soy and petroleum products, while imports are mainly industrial and consumer goods. Modest Argentine surpluses with China turned into deficits in 2008, however, and anti-dumping measures enacted subsequently triggered a Chinese boycott of its top Argentine import, soy oil, in 2010. Following trade negotiations, soy oil purchases from China resumed in 2011.

United States

The United States replaced the United Kingdom in the 1920s as both the leading source of manufactures and of imports overall. The U.S. share of imports and exports remained relatively stable at around 20% and 10%, respectively, until 2002; these proportions declined steadily afterward and by 2010, were approximately half the historical percentages. The U.S. has largely maintained a moderate trade surplus with Argentina, however. The record for this figure was logged in 1998, when the U.S. reaped a nearly US$3.7 billion surplus; these later declined significantly, to then recover to US$3.5 billion by 2011. Petrochemicals are the leading Argentine export to the U.S with large parts including bamboo., and wine the leading Argentine consumer good in the U.S. market. Imports are mainly industrial. Fresh Argentine beef was exported to the U.S. market in 1997 for the first time in over 60 years, and in 1999 its export quota of 20,000 tons was filled. Beef exports to the U.S. were suspended in August 2000 when Argentine cattle near the border with Paraguay (whose authorities refuse to vaccinate cattle against highly contagious hoof and mouth disease) were discovered to have anti-bodies for the infection. The quota was reinstated in early 2002 and has since averaged 28,000 tons.

The Obama administration suspended Argentine participation in the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in 2012, citing a failure to pay arbitration payments awarded by the World Bank's ICSID to a number of U.S. firms adversely impacted by the 2002 devaluation of the peso. The GSP benefit (US$18 million in 2011) is relatively minimal, equaling 0.4% of Argentine exports to the U.S. of US$4.2 billion.

Intellectual property issues

Argentina adheres to most treaties and international agreements on intellectual property. It is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization and signed the Uruguay Round agreements in December 1993, including measures related to intellectual property. However, extension of adequate patent protection to pharmaceuticals has been a highly contentious bilateral issue.

In May 1997, the U.S. suspended 50% of Argentina's GSP benefits because of its allegedly unsatisfactory pharmaceutical patent law. In May 1999, The U.S. Government initiated consultations under World Trade Organization procedures to address these inadequacies and expanded the consultations in May 2007.

Merchandise exports and imports

Foreign trade in 2010 by type of product

Argentine foreign trade in 2010 by type of product (million US$).

Product class	Exports	Imports	Balance
Meats and related foods	1796	201	1595
Seafood	1306	39	1267
Dairy	1057	30	1027
Maize, wheat, and other cereals	4621	32	4589
Soy and other oilseeds	5338	83	5255
Other crops	2586	369	2217
Vegetable oils	5192	73	5119
Fruit and vegetable preparations	942	99	843
Wine and spirits	850	88	762
Agricultural fodder	8783	61	8722
Other agricultural goods	1467	574	893
Copper and other minerals	1922	1025	897
Fuel and lubricants	5386	4188	1198
Pharmaceuticals	691	1566	-875
Perfume and cosmetics	657	460	197
Chemicals	3503	6492	-2989
Rubber and plastics	1731	3611	-1880
Leather and hides	1074	142	932
Forestry products	992	1443	-451
Textiles and apparel	698	1868	-1170
Glass, stone, and related materials	192	568	-376
Gold, silver, gems, and geodes	2252	101	2151
Iron and steel	1704	2298	-594
Aluminum	762	294	468
Other metals	181	999	-818
Machinery and parts	2198	15520	-13322
Motor vehicles and parts	7971	10125	-2154
Watercraft and other transport equipment	669	1470	-801
Precision equipment	193	1307	-1114
Other manufactures	1420	1376	44
Total	68134	56502	11632

A non-official source, Foreign Trade of Argentina, has compiled a list of principal definitive imported products for 2009, for 2008 and for 2007, as well as for export statistics, among which are the principal definitive exported products for 2009, for 2008, and for 2007.

Foreign trade in 2010 by leading export destinations

Argentine foreign trade in 2010 by leading export destinations, and chief exports and imports with each (million US$).

Partner	Export	$	Import	$	Balance
Brazil		14421		17945	-3524
	Motor vehicles and parts	6255	Motor vehicles and parts	6312
	Chemicals	998	Machinery	3290
	Refined fuel	989	Chemicals	1577
	Cereals	972	Steel and aluminum	1510
	Machinery	757	Plastics	871
China		6117		7678	-1561
	Oilseeds	4121	Machinery	4206
	Petroleum	665	Chemicals	916
	Vegetable oils	353	Textiles	434
	Leather and hides	145	Motor vehicles and parts	418
	Meats	67	Steel and aluminum	310
Chile		4490		885	3605
	Petroleum	842	Steel and aluminum	186
	Natural gas	569	Paper and cardboard	155
	Chemicals	428	Chemicals	89
	Vegetable oils	269	Plastics	78
	Agricultural fodder	256	Machinery	44
United States		3532		6057	-2525
	Petroleum	887	Chemicals	1648
	Steel and aluminum	510	Machinery	1517
	Wine and spirits	249	Plastics	486
	Chemicals	179	Refined fuel	470
	Refined fuel	167	Aircraft, watercraft, and parts	452
Netherlands		2367		394	1973
	Agricultural fodder	998	Refined fuel	166
	Chemicals	469	Chemicals	115
	Fruit and vegetable preparations	176	Machinery	32
Spain		2241		1024	1217
	Agricultural fodder	558	Machinery	225
	Chemicals	534	Chemicals	204
	Seafood	420	Motor vehicles and parts	154
Germany		1832		3215	-1383
	Copper	443	Machinery	1291
	Meats	350	Motor vehicles and parts	650
	Motor vehicles and parts	278	Chemicals	576
Italy		1586		1297	289
	Agricultural fodder	653	Machinery	596
	Chemicals	207	Chemicals	255
	Meats	123	Motor vehicles and parts	102
Uruguay		1552		587	965
	Chemicals	285	Motor vehicles and parts	115
	Machinery	178	Electricity	79
	Motor vehicles and parts	129	Paper and cardboard	70
Iran		1453		24	1429
	Agricultural fodder	463	Chemicals	15
	Vegetable oils	457	Plastics	4
	Cereals	393	Tea and spices	4
Venezuela		1424		21	1403
	Motor vehicles and parts	183	Refined fuel	7
	Machinery	179	Chemicals	6
	Dairy	169	Steel and aluminum	5
Canada		1402		409	993
	Precious metals, gems, and geodes	1067	Machinery	117
	Wine and spirits	87	Aircraft, watercraft, and parts	105
	Steel and aluminum	64	Chemicals	60
India		1321		567	754
	Vegetable oils	1180	Chemicals	238
	Machinery	33	Textiles	80
	Leather and hides	32	Motor vehicles and parts	56
Colombia		1302		150	1152
	Cereals	466	Refined fuel	39
	Agricultural fodder	252	Chemicals	35
	Vegetable oils	102	Plastics	29
Mexico		1227		1817	-590
	Motor vehicles and parts	433	Motor vehicles and parts	792
	Watercraft and parts	189	Machinery	509
	Chemicals	112	Chemicals	247
Rest of the world		21867		14432	7435
Total		68134		56502	11632

Exports in 2010 by province and top two exports from each

Argentine exports in 2010 by province and top two exports from each (million US$).

Province	Exports	Per capita	Leading export	Value	Second export	Value
Buenos Aires Province	22875	1464	Motor vehicles	5646	Soy	2277
Santa Fe	14847	4647	Soy	9309	Motor vehicles	1117
Córdoba	8305	2510	Soy	3648	Motor vehicles	1576
Chubut	3306	6495	Petroleum and natural gas	2059	Aluminum	661
San Juan	2104	4870	Gold	1605	Wine and grape juice	117
Mendoza	1696	975	Wine and grape juice	698	Horticulture	226
Catamarca	1687	4584	Copper	1505	Gold	55
Santa Cruz	1617	5901	Petroleum and natural gas	536	Gold	349
Entre Ríos	1557	1260	Soy	383	Maize	168
Salta	1013	834	Horticulture	199	Petrochemicals	167
Tucumán	915	632	Fruits	336	Motor vehicles	124
San Luis	539	1248	Paper	90	Maize	53
Misiones	528	479	Paper	186	Lumber	119
Río Negro	494	773	Fruits	373	Petrochemicals	47
Santiago del Estero	465	532	Soy	279	Maize	87
Tierra del Fuego	391	3074	Petrochemicals	168	Seafood	98
Buenos Aires	375	130	Chemicals	74	Pharmaceuticals	60
Jujuy	375	557	Minerals	125	Tobacco	80
Chaco	373	354	Soy	147	Lumber	78
Neuquén	328	595	Petroleum and natural gas	178	Fruits	65
La Pampa	287	900	Soy	75	Maize	62
La Rioja	287	859	Paper	100	Leather	60
Corrientes	155	156	Rice	75	Fruits	25
Formosa	36	68	Petroleum and natural gas	12	Lumber	9
Not classified by prov.	3592	n.a.	Petroleum and natural gas	1157	Soy	947
Total	68134	1698