US Imports Growing

According to the US Census Bureau, US imports in all categories of goods from the period January through November of 2000 were up from the same period in 1999 by nearly $150 billion. This rise can be largely attributed to the strong dollar. The outlook for US importers is very good. Tariff reductions, particularly on goods coming from Canada or Mexico under NAFTA, have been reduced on schedule and will continue to be reduced on certain products. In 2000, Mexico surpassed Japan in the value of imports to the United States, making Mexico this country's second largest trading partner after Canada.