By reason of reduction in our purchases and the low commodity price level in 1938, the value of United States imports from the Netherlands Indies decreased 40 percent in 1938 as compared with 1937, to a total of $68,751,000. Influenced by the decreased output of automobiles in the United States, imports of crude rubber were down nearly a third in quantity, and, reflecting the increase in our production of fats and cornstarch, imports of palm oil and tapioca were much smaller than in 1937. There were decreases, also, in imports of sisal and kapok fibers, straw hats, tin, and goat and kid skins. Some shift from Japanese tea to East Indian teas in the United States markets resulted in larger imports of tea from the Netherlands Indies. Imports of pepper increased over the relatively small figure of the preceding year.

Table 44.-Principal Commodities in Trade of the United States With the Netherlands Indies

NOTE.-Data for individual export items include only United States products. Import commodities are "general imports" in 1929 and 1932 and "imports for consumption" in 1937 and 1938.

Table 44.-Principal Commodities in Trade of the United States With the Netherlands Indies-Continued

1 Figures for 1929 and 1932 have not been adjusted for minor transfers in classifications of later years. 2 Less than 500.

3 Not shown separately.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

Valued at $86,500,000, United States exports to the Philippine Islands in 1938 were larger than in any year since 1920, even exceeding the boom year 1929 by $1,000,000. As an export market the Philippines, for the first time, ranked eighth last year, compared with twelfth place in 1937. Japan was the only Far Eastern country, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands the only European countries, and Canada and Argentina the only American countries with a larger share in our export trade. With 68 percent of the total Philippine import business, American exporters supplied the greatest proportion of the market in the history of trade between the two countries.

Export Commodities.

This improved position was largely the result of record shipments of cotton piece goods, which exceeded by 160 percent shipments to Cuba, the second-best market for cotton textiles. Owing to the SinoJapanese situation existing throughout 1938, a considerable part of the Philippine textile trade held by Japan in other recent years in both cotton and rayon goods was diverted to the United States.

Exports of industrial machinery reached practically the same high level as in the previous year, owing largely to continued mining activity in the Philippine Islands. Increased building and construction, both private and public, accounted for considerably greater

shipments of certain iron and steel products; while the same factors, together with mining activity, were responsible for maintaining at a high level our exports of electrical machinery and apparatus. Although some of the increased business in electrical lines, notably that in electric motors and industrial equipment for the mines, has gone to Great Britain, the United States retains its dominant position in the market, with about 85 percent of the total trade.

A general reduction in purchasing power in the islands as a result of lower agricultural prices was responsible for diminished demand for automotive products. Exports of the main petroleum products to the islands compared favorably with the high shipments recorded in

11901-1905 | 1906–1910 | 1911-1915 1916-1920 1921-1925 1926-1930 1931-1935 1936-1940

Figure 32.-Trade of the United States With the Philippine Islands.

DD. 9164

1936. Exports of fuel oil were influenced by increased sales to the mines, and demand for gasoline also was active. Trade in medicinals and pharmaceuticals maintained practically the high level reached in 1937. Although Philippine production of paints increased substantially, sales to the islands held up well, owing to steady demand from both government and private purchasers.

On a quantity basis, shipments of wheat flour to the Philippines were the highest on record, and only in 1929 was the value exceeded. Scarcity of Philippine rice and high prices (in contrast with low prices for flour) were responsible. Less severe competition from Japan influenced the trade in canned fish, which showed a value gain of 34 percent over the 1937 trade. Notwithstanding continued competition from the Netherlands, exports of canned milk declined only slightly in 1938, and total trade in dairy products was somewhat higher. The popularity of American cigarettes in the Philippine market continues unabated, and shipments reached a record value of over $5,000,000 in 1938. Practically all Philippine imports of tobacco products come from the United States, the only important exception being certain quantities of leaf from the Netherlands Indies to be used for wrappers of expensive cigars.

Import Commodities.

Lower prices of Philippine commodities were largely responsible for a decline of 25 percent in the value of imports into the United States from these islands in 1938. The total of $94,244,000 was the lowest since 1934.

With sugar trade regulated by quotas, the volume of shipments to the United States market was substantially the same as in 1937, but the value declined from $59,200,000 to $50,600,000. Total imports of coconut products, valued at $24,830,000, declined 43 percent from the previous year. The quantity of both copra and coconut oil was considerably larger, but receipts of desiccated coconut and of copra meal were lower in both volume and value.

Production and export of Philippine abaca (Manila fiber) fell off sharply in 1938. Imports into the United States were only slightly over half the amount brought in in 1937, and the value showed a corresponding decline.

The products of two Philippine industries-canned pineapples and oleomargarine-established comparatively recently, were imported into the United States in somewhat smaller volume than in 1937, although still considerably above any previous year's shipments. Greater production of base metals was reflected in increased shipments to the United States market of chrome ore and copper concentrates.

Gold imports, which are not included in table 45 also advanced to reach a record high of $27,882,000, compared with $25,428,000 in 1937. Each year since 1933, when they amounted to $6,023,000, United States imports of gold from the Philippines have steadily increased.

Table 45.-Principal Commodities in Trade of the United States With the
Philippine Islands

NOTE. Data for individual export items include only United States products. Import commodities are
"general imports" in 1929 and 1932 and "imports for consumption" in 1937 and 1938.

Table 45.-Principal Commodities in Trade of the United States With the Philippine Islands-Continued

Cordage of manila hemp and other fiber

Hats, bonnets, hoods of straw, etc

3,083

Cabinet woods in the log and sawed

All other.

(copper content).

6,937 4,942 6, 124 810 399 543 1,000 bd. ft. 40, 368 7, 203 37, 506 22,991 Chrome ore or chromite (content) tons. 20, 688 38, 221 Copper concentrates, regulus, unrefined

1,000 lb.. thousands..

3,714

371 2,019

1,000 lb..

780 1,833

1 Figures for 1929 and 1932 have not been adjusted for minor transfers in classifications of later years. 2 Less than 500.