Indirect trade (exports of manufactured goods with significant steel content) from China to Latin America reached $20.8 million during the first six months of 2013, 7 percent of total Chinese exports, similar to levels recorded during the first half of 2012.
Between January-June 2013, the countries that received more manufactured goods with significant steel content from China were Brazil ($5.3 million) and Mexico ($4.4 million), representing 25 percent and 21 percent of the Latin American total respectively.
Compared to the same period of 2012, Brazilian imports from China decreased 4 percent while Mexican increased 5 percent. Argentina (41 percent) and Peru (31 percent) considerably increased their imports of manufactured goods with significant steel content.
During the first six months of 2013, manufactured goods with significant steel content most imported from China were: cars and commercial vehicles ($3.3 million), office machines ($3.3 million) and equipment and machinery ($2.6 million). The sum of these three categories represented 45 percent of steel indirect trade from China to the region.