China tops US as leading Brazil trade partner

BRASILIA – Brazil is reporting that China has surpassed the United States as its leading trade partner.

The Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Commerce says trade with China last month reached US$3,2 billion, compared to US$2,8 billion with the United States.The ministry said Monday in a statement published online that total year-to-date trade with China is at US$10,2 billion, up 13,9 per cent from the same period last year.The ministry said exports to China were US$2,2 billion in April, a rise of 76 per cent from the previous month.The United States imported US$1,3 billion in Brazilian goods during April. Argentina was the third-largest importer, at US$820 million.Soy and iron are among key Brazilian exports.-Nampa-AP