Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade 2005, an annual compendium of data and analysis examining changes in trade with key U.S. partners and in crucial U.S. industries, was released today by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).

The ITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, releases the information in a web-based format that focuses on reasons for key shifts in trade, provides data by country and commodity, and can be searched by country or commodity sector.

Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade 2005 can be accessed at: http://www.usitc.gov/tradeshifts/2006/default.htm.

Users will find a comprehensive review of U.S. trade performance in 2005, focusing on changes in U.S. exports, imports, and trade balances of key natural resource, agricultural, and manufacturing industries, as well as changes in U.S. trade with major partners and groups. For example, the report examines:

• how U.S. growth continued to outpace the rest of the major industrialized countries and to draw in more goods and commodities;
  
• what the United States exported to China and what it imported in return;
  
• why the U.S. agricultural sector's first-ever trade deficit in 2004 expanded in 2005; and
  
• how high energy prices affected U.S. trade

Also available are profiles of the U.S. industry and market for over 250 industry/commodity groups and subgroups, offering data for 2001-05 on consumption, production, employment, and trade. The ITC's Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade site also includes links to other ITC research and resources, providing users with quick access to analyses and data, as well as links to other government organizations that have related information.

Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade 2005 is also available as a CD-ROM. Users can obtain the CD- ROM version through the "Request CD-ROM" link on the 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. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.