Australia, Canada, and the United States: Trade Partners or Competitors

Abstract

Australia, Canada, and the United States are three of the world's largest traders in temperate zone agricultural commodities. More than two-thirds of world exports of wheat, feed grains, and oilseeds originate in the three, with the United States accounting alone for nearly 40% of the wheat, 70% of the corn, and nearly 80% of the soybeans exported. In addition 25% of the world meat trade occurs among the three. Beyond these items, there is significant bilateral trade in fruits, vegetables, and assorted other products. Agricultural trade is important to the countries themselves. Agricultural exports accounted for the following percentages of total exports in 1976Australia 43.5%, United States 20.6%, and Canada 11%. Agricultural exports are even more important to the agricultural economies of the three countries. It is not surprising, therefore, that there is an interesting set of agricultural trade issues in which all three have vital interests.