Made in Ohio, sold in China

Ohio’s stake in trade relations with China is higher than you may think.

In 1997 alone, exports from Ohio to China exceeded $475 million. The state ranks seventh in exports to China among the 54 states and territories.

“These strong export numbers indicate that maintaining normal trade relations with China is critical to Ohio,” says Thomas Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The annual debate over China’s trade status hurts American companies’ ability to compete in the global marketplace.”

The two leading exports from Ohio to China were industrial machines and computers, and crude petroleum and natural gas.

U.S. exports to China totaled $12.8 billion last year.

“The evidence is clear. Stable U.S./China trade relations will open markets for U.S. exports and generate more jobs for Ohio workers,” Donohue says.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce claims to be the world’s largest business federation. The group represents more than three million businesses and organizations “of every size, sector and region.”

The statistics gathered are based on information compiled by the Office of Trade and Economic Analysis and the Census Bureau.

Donohue says the chamber is “leading a grassroots campaign to urge members of Congress to support normal trade relations with China.”

For more information, contact the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at (202) 463-5682 or visit its Web site at www.uschamber.org.