Indirect trade (exports of manufactured goods with significant steel content) from China to Latin America reached a value of US$20,870M during the first six months of 2013, representing 7% of total Chinese exports. This figure is similar to that during the first half of 2012.

Between January/June 2013, the countries that received most manufactured goods with significant steel content from China were Brazil ($5270M) and Mexico ($4410M), representing 25% and 21% of the Latin American total respectively.

Compared to the same period of 2012, imports to Brazil from China decreased 4% while Mexico’s increased 5%. Marked increases in imports of such goods occurred in Argentina (41%) and Peru (31%).

The type of goods with significant steel content mostly imported from China were: cars and commercial vehicles ($3354M), office machines ($3290M) and equipment and machinery ($2651M). The sum of these three categories represented 45% of steel indirect trade from China to the region.