Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade 2012, an annual compendium of data and analysis examining changes in trade with key U.S. partners and in important U.S. industries, was released today by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC).

The USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, fact-finding federal agency, releases the information in a web-based format that provides details and reasons for key shifts in trade and that can be searched by country or industry sector.

Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade 2012 can be accessed at http://www.usitc.gov/research_and_analysis/tradeshifts/2012/index.htm.

Users will find a comprehensive review of U.S. trade performance in 2012, focusing on changes in U.S. exports, imports, and trade balances of agricultural and manufacturing industries, key natural resources, as well as changes in U.S. trade with major partners and country groups. Also included are profiles of the U.S. industry and market for over 250 industry groups and subgroups, offering data for 2008-12 on consumption, production, and trade.

The report examines:

• industry developments and the principal drivers influencing trends in U.S. trade;
• leading products the United States exported to and imported from its most important trading partners and the key factors influencing trade in these products;
• price fluctuations, increased domestic production of energy-related products, greater consumer access to financing for the purchase of durable products, and other major factors affecting U.S. trade in 2012.

Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade 2012 is also available as a CD-ROM. Users can obtain the CD-ROM version through the "Order CD-ROM" link on the USITC web site or by calling 202-205-2000, or by writing to the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.