May 16, 2024, 11:12 PM
May 16, 2024, 11:12 PM
Based on data from the Chinese Customs Administration, it was observed that in 2023 China’s main trading partner was by far Brazil, with a total export of 122 billion US dollars. Chile and Peru follow with 43 and 25 billion US dollars respectively. Bolivia does not appear in this spectrum, due to its low weight in the international trade that this Asian country has with our region.
According to INE data, in 2023, Bolivia exported $us worth to China. 1,170.1 million, representing 11% of the total exported by the country that year. The product that was sold the most to China was silver ore, which represented 41% of the total exported; Other products would be zinc minerals, lead, beef, others. China is the second country to which we export our products the most after Brazil, where the sale of natural gas prevails.
In the case of the imports we make from China, in 2023, the amount was $us. 2,394.5 million, representing 21% of the total of our imports from our country. In fact, China is the economy from which we imported the most in the past administration, especially manufactured products such as steel.
As evidenced, in 2023 we had a trade deficit with China of $us. 1,224.4 million, since it is a nation to which we mainly offer raw materials and food in small quantities, but from which we buy much more industrialized products. That is why we always had a negative trade balance with this world power, which could be much greater if we took into account the products that are purchased and consumed via contraband from this country.
Although China is one of the countries with which we have the most foreign trade, it is very long-term that we can offer more products and services to this nation. To do this, we must diversify our economy and industrialize it on a large scale, giving greater dynamism. to the private sector. This will require an objective and sustainable strategic State policy, with strong national and, above all, foreign investment.
