What is import and export? Export and import of countries such as India, China, Russia and Japan

International trade by right can be called a powerful stimulator of economic and social development of countries. It helps to focus the specialization of states on the most profitable sectors of industry and agriculture, based on their available technologies, investment, human and natural resources. Its theoretical basis is the theory of comparative advantage, derived in the 18th century by the English economist David Riccardo in his work "An Investigation of the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations."

The world economy allows developing specialization of states in the production of profitable and subsequently exported goods and services. In this case, we are talking about the relative advantages of countries, allowing to produce certain types of marketable products in larger quantities and better quality.

Having foreign exchange earnings from exports, such countries are able to replace their most expensive production with imports from other countries. As a result, the total costs of production in the world economy are reduced. This is the positive constructive role of international trade for the dynamic development of the world economy. The country's exports and imports thus serve a more harmonious and rapid development of the country.

Theoretically, a state can have either a closed economy, where the entire national economic complex serves exclusively the domestic market, and imports and exports are absent or open. As you understand, such an economy in the modern world can exist purely in theory. The real economy of states is of an open nature, active international trade is taking place there. This enables the global economy to take fuller advantage of the international division of labor, contributing to its effectiveness. Foreign economic activity is regulated by the state and determines such volumes of exports and imports that stimulate the growth of national income, accelerate scientific and technological progress.

The economy is closed and open

Among the largest exporting countries are three: the United States, Germany and China. Their share in international trade is impressive. It is, respectively, 14.2%, 7.5%, 6.7%.

Speaking about the prospects for the development of international trade, we should note the prospect of its slowdown in developed countries. But at the same time, there will be an increase in the activity of developing countries. So far, their share in world trade is 34%, but their share is expected to grow by 10%. And in the activation of developing countries in the field of international trade, the role of the CIS countries will be appreciable.

How are exports and imports related?

Export is the sale of goods and services to foreign counterparts for use abroad. Accordingly, imports refer to the delivery of goods and services from abroad from foreign counterparties. Foreign economic activity, namely, import and export, is carried out both by the state itself and by its economic agents.

Indicators of the degree of state participation in foreign trade are the export and import quota. The export quota is the ratio of exports of goods and services to GDP. Its economic significance is obvious: what part of GDP is exported. Similarly, the import quota is defined as the ratio of imports of goods and services to GDP. Its meaning is to show the share of imported goods in domestic consumption.

Thus, the aforementioned quotas show how much the country's exports and imports are in its economic activities.

In addition to their absolute value, the prevailing donor or recipient nature of state foreign economic activity is characterized by another indicator - the balance of foreign trade turnover. This is the difference between the total volume of exports and imports of the country. The structure of the country's imports indicates a shortage of advantages in the production of goods and services. Exports, however, point to the opposite situation, when the production of goods and services included in it is profitable and promising.

If the difference between exports and imports is positive, then they say about the positive balance of foreign trade, in the opposite case - about the negative. The dynamic production potential of the state reflects a positive balance of foreign trade turnover. As we see, the balance of the country's imports and exports is an important indicator of the direction of its economic development.

Stimulating export by the state

Often, the state takes the costs to promote its exports. Many countries practice tax exemptions for exporting enterprises, for example, a VAT refund. Traditionally, the most significant export subsidies for agricultural products. Developed countries not only help their farmers, ensuring a guaranteed purchase of all agricultural products. Further export is already a problem of the state.

Moreover, the stimulation of exports invariably leads also to the activation of imports. An intermediate tool here is the exchange rate. Export subsidies increase the exchange rate of the national currency, accordingly, it becomes more profitable to buy imports.

What does not include exports and imports?

It is worth noting that the flow of goods and services sent abroad or because of it is not calculated "completely", but with the exception of certain categories:

- transit goods;

- Temporary export and import;

- purchased by non-residents located in the country or sold to residents abroad;

- sale or purchase of land, made by residents with non-residents;

- property of tourists.

Protectionism and World Trade

Is the principle of free trade paramount for states: is it necessary to produce this or that commodity where the production costs are minimal? On the one hand, this approach really ensures the optimal allocation of resources. In addition, competition forces manufacturers to dynamically improve their technology.

However, on the other hand, free trade does not always form a balanced national economic complex of each individual country. Any state tries to harmoniously develop its industry, overcoming the "unprofitable" production of certain goods. The actuality of its own industrial provision of the defense complex, the development of new industries, and the provision of employment are obvious. Therefore, we can say that the state always regulates the structure of exports and imports.

There is a protectionist mechanism of "imputed costs" in the form of artificial introduction of quotas and duties, contributing to the appreciation of cheaper and more profitable imports. In view of the fact that quotas and increased protectionist duties hamper the harmonious development of the world economy, one should not be excessively addicted to them.

However, the practice of "trade wars" indicates one more, non-tariff ways of reducing imports: bureaucratic prohibitions, the presentation of biased quality standards and, finally, an administratively regulated licensing system.

Trade policy of the country

Depending on the average level of import duties and quantitative restrictions, the trade policy of the country of four types is distinguished.

The open trade policy is characterized by the level of trade duties not exceeding 10% in the absence of explicit restrictions on the number of imported products. Moderate trade policy corresponds to the level of trade duties of 10-25%, as well as non-tariff restrictions on 10-25% of the imported commodity mass. The restrictive policy differs by more substantial non-tariff frameworks and trade duties - at the level of 25-40%. If the state essentially seeks to ban the import of a particular product, then in this case the rates exceed 40%.

The common feature of the trade policy of the majority of developed countries is the growing export of services and the stimulation of the state stimulated by the state.

What kind of international trade does Russia show?

The Russian economy is of a specialized nature, focused on the extraction and export of oil and gas. This is due to the demand of Western countries mainly for the products of the extractive industry. Of course, the current structure of Russia's exports and imports is not final for the country, it is forced - in the era of the international economic crisis. Each country in such conditions is in search of increasing its international competitiveness.

At this stage, "trump" of Russia is oil and gas. It should be recognized that this is also the case with the discriminatory barriers "built" by the Western countries for the export of engineering products. Thus, we get an export structure of this kind, as if it were a backward country.

At the same time, Russia possesses significant land resources, minerals, forestry, and conditions for the development of agriculture. The military-industrial complex creates weapons and military equipment competitive on the international market. At present, Russia enjoys a mechanism of protectionism to diversify its industry and reduce its dependence on the world trade. The export and import of RF, therefore, will have to change its configuration.

Since 22.08.2012, Russia has become a member of the WTO. This will bring in the future additional preferences in the form of changes in the rates of customs duties and tariff quotas. The Russian foreign trade turnover in January-June 2013 amounted to $ 404.6 billion (for the same period of 2012 - $ 406.8 billion). Imports amounted to 150.5 billion dollars, and exports - 253.9 billion dollars.

If you take into account the information for the whole of 2013, the second half of the year turned out to be significantly less productive for Russian foreign trade activity than the first. The last fact was reflected in the decrease in the balance of foreign trade turnover by as much as 10.5%.

Export of Russia

In the total mass of Russia's exports, fuel and energy resources account for about 74.9%. The reason for the decline in exports last year is due to several factors. Russia is a major exporter of oil and gas. As is known, 75% of the oil produced is exported, and only 25% provide the national economic complex. Oil and gas - goods, the price of which is subject to fluctuations in market conditions. Not only that the Urals oil exported by Russia reduced its price in 2013, compared to 2012 by 2.39%, the total volume of exported oil decreased by 1.7%. Also affected by the crisis in the countries of the Eurozone and restrictive mechanisms of the WTO. The trend of a general decline in the foreign trade turnover last year was accompanied by a decrease in the growth rate of Russian GDP from 3.4% in 2012 to 1.3% in 2013. By the way, in the structure of Russia's GDP, oil and gas produced are 32-33%.

The share of Russian exports of machinery and equipment is only 4.5%, which does not correspond to either the potential of the industry or the level of the scientific base. At the same time, the share of this segment in world trade from developed countries is about 40%.

Import of Russia

At this historical stage, Russia, due to the deformed economy (which was highlighted above), is forced to import mostly finished products.

The share in the Russian import of machinery and equipment to the CIS countries is 36.1%. Thus, their own production deficit is compensated (the share of machinery and equipment in the GDP of Russia in 2013 is 3.5%). The share of imported metals and products from them is 16.8%, food products and ingredients for their production - 12.5%, fuel - 7%, textiles and footwear - 7.2%, chemical products - 7.5%.

Thus, having analyzed the import and export of Russia, we come to the conclusion about an artificial slowdown in the rates of its industrial and social development. Obviously, the source of this situation is the circle of subjective interests of certain individuals.

Foreign trade of Japan

The economy of the Land of the Rising Sun is one of the most developed and dynamic in the world. The export and import of Japan are structured and determined by a powerful economy. This state, according to its industrial power, is now the third largest in the world after the United States and China. A feature of the country's resource base is an exceptionally organized and efficient labor force and the practical absence of minerals on the territory of the country. The relief and natural conditions limit the possibility of supplying the country with agricultural products at the level of 55% of its needs.

The country is at the forefront of the development of robotics and electronics, automotive and mechanical engineering. Japan has the largest fishing fleet in the world.

Consider briefly the export and import of Japan. Imported, as we have already mentioned, food, mineral raw materials, metals, fuel, products of the chemical industry. The export of electronics, electrical engineering, cars, various transport, robotics.

China as a participant in international trade

At present, China demonstrates enviable dynamics of development. Today it is the second economy in the world. According to forecasts of analysts, the PRC in the period from 2015 to 2020 should overtake the US, and until 2040 to become three times more powerful than its closest opponent. The resources driving the Chinese economy today are the abundance of labor (including qualified), the availability of minerals, land, etc.

The export and import of China is determined today by the policy of the country, which is of an industrial character. This country today is the absolute leader in the field of industrial production of metals (steel, cast iron, zinc, nickel, molybdenum, vanadium), household appliances (PCs, televisions, washing and sewing machines, microwave ovens, refrigerators, cameras, watches). In addition, China has outperformed the United States and Japan together to produce automotive equipment. Near Beijing in the Haidian District even built its own "Silicon Valley".

What does China import? Technologies, education services, specialists supplied by developed countries, new materials, software, biotechnology. An analysis of China's exports and imports convinces us of the prospects and profound meaningfulness of its economic strategy. The volume of exports and imports of this country have today the most convincing dynamics of growth.

Export and import of Australia

Export and import of Australia has its own specifics. The fifth continent, which is a unitary unitary state, has a powerful land and agricultural resource that makes it possible to produce meat, grain, and wool. But at the same time the market of this country feels a shortage of labor and investment.

At the same time, Australia acts as an active exporter on the international market. According to the statistics of recent years, about 25% of the GDP of this country is realized as the export of goods and services. Australia exports agricultural products (50%) and mining products (25%).

The largest exporter of Australia is Japan, and the largest importer is the United States.

The economy of Australia is considered highly dependent on imports. What is imported to the Fifth Continent? 60% - machinery and equipment, mineral raw materials, food products.

Historically, Australia has a negative trade balance, although it is gradually decreasing. Import and export of this country develops consistently and on an ascending basis.

Export and import of India

India has significant political and economic influence in South Asia. The country conducts active foreign trade activity in the world market. GDP in 2012 here was 4,761 billion dollars, and this is the 4th place in the world! The volume of foreign trade in India is impressive: if in the 90 years it was about 16% of the country's GDP, now it is more than 40%! Imports and exports of India are growing dynamically. The advantages of the state in the international division of labor are considerable labor resources, a vast territory. More than half of the country's able-bodied population is engaged in agriculture, thirty percent in services, and 14 percent in industry.

Agriculture in India is a source of export of rice and wheat, tea (200 million tons), coffee, spices (120,000 tons). However, if we estimate the growing of the grain of the whole world agriculture and compare it with the yield of India, it turns out that the productivity of the Indian sector of agriculture is half that. It should be emphasized that it is the food products that bring this country the largest export income.

India - the largest importer of cotton, silk, sugar cane, peanuts.

Interesting features of Indian exports of meat products. The influence of the national mentality is felt. In India - the largest livestock in the world, but the world's smallest consumption of meat, because here the cow is considered a sacred animal.

Textile industry provides work in India, 20 million people. Exports India, except for textiles, oil products, precious stones, iron and steel, transport, chemical products. Imports crude oil, precious stones, fertilizers, machinery.

Knowledge of English allowed educated residents of this country to find their niche in the IT field and programming. Now, the export and import of services in this sector of the economy is significant and accounts for more than 20% of India's total GDP.

The largest exporters for India are the United States, the United Arab Emirates, China. Import the same goods from India United Arab Emirates, China, Saudi Arabia.

In addition, this country has a significant military-industrial complex, having nuclear weapons since 1974. The defeat of peace-loving India in the border conflict with China in 1962 and Pakistan in 1965 forced this country first to actively import weapons, and then to make its own. As a result, in 1971, a convincing victory over Pakistan took place. Since the middle of the 90s, India has pursued a great-power policy.

Conclusion

As we see from this article, various states choose the composition of exports and imports corresponding to their resources and production potential.

It should be noted that in these days Keynes's harmonious scheme of free international trade is often deformed by states. Governments of different countries are actively promoting domestic exports at the level of their economic policies . And often this competition on heat and thoughtful tactics reminds a duel. Who wins in it? A country that produces large amounts of industrial products. Therefore, economists say today about the remake of industrial policy.

To the question: "Which strategy is the country's most preferable in our time?" The following macroeconomic situation will be relevant: saving its foreign exchange reserves, the country seeks to maximize exports, limiting its imports within export earnings. To do this, it is trying to neutralize the factors that in the future bear the risk of reducing the currency proceeds. What are these factors? Exchange rates, sale of oil and gas, excessively elastic demand. The beginning of the XXI century left its imprint on the very object of world trade. In the total volume of export-import operations, trade in services occupies a significant share (more than 30%).