U.S. TRADE

Americans make up only 6 per cent of the world population but they consume 30 per cent of world resources and 35 per cent of world energy. In World War II the USA became still more powerful becouse it was the least hit by war. In the 1960s cometition in the world market increased because of development of Germany and Japan.

U.S. corporations are always looking for new markets and new investments abroad. The leading companies in the USA are f. e. General Electric, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler and Goodyear.

The leading exports are f. e. electroics, chemical and agricultural products, cars and arms. The USA imports some metals, coffee, cocoa, tea, bananas, from Japan cameras and small cars. 30 per cent of Japan´s exports go to USA. The most important problem in U.S. trade is oil. The USA has to import 40 per cent of its oil. Oil prices increased many times by OPEC^* countries.

*OPEC = Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries