Rio - Although the US remains Brazil's biggest trade partner, it is buying fewer Brazilian goods. A survey by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) reports that the reduction began as a consequence of lower economic activity in Brazil between 2000 and 2002, even though Brazil was running growing trade surpluses with the US at the same time.

This year, with the Brazilian economy growing there has been an increase in exports to the US, which is presently buying 23% of all Brazilian exports (last year Brazilian exports to the US were worth US$16.7 billion). Meanwhile, Brazil imports more from the US than from any other country, although the goods it buys from the US account for only 2% of all American exports.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Daisy Nascimento
Translator: Allen Bennett
10/15/2004