[Willie Green]

This artile was already posted here: Commerce Secretary Analyzes U.S.-China Trade Relations: The Great (Trade) Wall of China

But to assure that you won't miss the benefits of my comment on that thread, I'll include it here as well.

 U.S. Trade with China 
(billion dollars)

Year		1991		1992		1993		1994		1995		1996		1997		1998		1999		2000		2001		2002		2003		2004 (4 months annualized)
U.S. Imports		19.0		25.7		31.5		38.8		45.5		51.5		62.6		71.2		81.8		100.1		102.3		125.1		152.4		161.7
U.S. Exports		6.3		7.4		8.8		9.3		11.7		12.0		12.9		14.2		13.1		16.3		19.2		22.0		28.4		35.1
Trade Deficit		12.7		18.3		22.7		29.5		33.8		39.5		49.7		56.9		68.7		83.8		83.1		103.1		124.0		126.6

"China is America's fastest-growing export market and our third-largest trading partner. Two-way trade exceeds $190 billion and over the last three years American exports to China increased 76%."

This is an excellent example of how the administration misleads with statistics. Two-way trade exceeds $190 billion. True. China sells about $160 billion to us and we sell $35 billion or so to them. Both exports and imports continue to rise. But the value of imports is increasing at a greater pace than that of exports, creating the widening trade gap. But by reading the Secretary's note, you might think everything is great with China trade.

China Trade: High Time for a Change in US Policy

[maui_hawaii]

This is an excellent example of how the administration misleads with statistics.

Its not just 'the administration'. There is a whole set of drum bangers that do that.

Two-way trade exceeds $190 billion. True. China sells about $160 billion to us and we sell $35 billion or so to them. Both exports and imports continue to rise. But the value of imports is increasing at a greater pace than that of exports, creating the widening trade gap.

Very good summation.