Overview of U.S./South American Trade Relations Quinn Weber, Rachel Bass, Omar Rubio, Mandy Sun
Brazil 7th highest GDP in world - ahead of UK (Purchasing Power Parity) Western hemisphere’s 2nd largest economy, largest in S. America, member of BRICS US first country to establish consulate (1808), 1st to recognize independence (1824) Tensions and strains: o US agricultural subsidies (cotton) o NSA spying on pres. Rousseff o Scramble to ready for World Cup 2015
Chile The United States and Chile have enjoyed friendly relations since Chile re-established democratic governance in Chile is currently the 29th largest export market for U.S. goods U.S. and Chile Free Trade Agreement began January 1, 2014 TOP U.S. Export to Chile (2013): Mineral Fuel (oil), Machinery, Vehicles, Electrical Machinery, Aircraft TOP Chile Export to U.S. (2013): Copper, Edible Fruit and Nuts, Fish and Seafood, Wood, and Rubber
Venezuela ●Venezuela is one of the top 5 suppliers of foreign oil to the United States and a member of OPEC ●As of 2011 Venezuela was the US’s 26th largest export market and the 9th largest supplier of exports ○The largest imports from Venezuela are Crude Oil ($42 Billion), Organic Chemicals ($309 Million), Iron & Steel ($263 Million) and overall total was $43.3 Billion ○Main US exports to Venezuela are Machinery ($3 Billion), Electrical Machinery ($1.7 Billion), and Organic Chemicals ($1.3 Billion) ●Currently no US ambassador to Venezuela or Venezuelan ambassador to US as relations have been strained since the Hugo Chavez regime ●US has also imposed sanctions on Venezuelan state owned oil company PDVSA which included exclusion from competing for federal government contracts
Colombia ●21st largest U.S. trading partner ○U.S. exports $19 billion dollars and imports $22 billion dollars annually. ○U.S. exports to Colombia include: Mineral Fuel, machinery, organic chemicals, and vehicles. ○U.S. imports to Colombia include: Crude oil, gold, spices, coffee and tea, and edible food. ●Plan Colombia ○Assistance to help Colombia improve their counternarcotics capabilities, and expand government presence ○Another goal was to improve the livelihood of the most vulnerable population, and provide better social, and economic opportunities. ○Planned as a long-term plan to destroy the presence of the drug cartels in Colombia.
Summary Monroe Doctrine shaped beginning of trade relations - Europe stay out! Kennedy’s Alliance for Progress - failure overall Organization of American States (OAS) o Fight against illicit drugs o Establishment of intercontinental free trade zone o Kerry, Nov 2013: “the Monroe Doctrine is dead”