|
Soviet Union [USSR] Africa, Asia, and Latin America
During the 1980s, the geographical pattern of Soviet-Third
World trade changed markedly (see
table 50, Appendix A). A decrease
in trade with North Africa and the Middle East balanced a
substantial increase in trade with sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia,
and Latin America.
In 1987 about 50 percent of the Soviet Union's total identified
exports to the Third World went to Asia, and India was the Soviet
Union's biggest trade partner. In exchange for Soviet oil and oil
products, India supplied food, raw agricultural material, clothing,
textiles, and machinery. India was also the Soviet Union's sole
significant Third World supplier of equipment and advanced
technology, e.g., computers and copiers, much of which was produced
by Indian subsidiaries of Western multinational corporations.
Malaysia, another important partner of the Soviet Union in Asia,
was an important supplier of rubber, palm oil, and tin.
From 1980 to 1983, Soviet exports to Africa increased slightly
to 30 percent of its Third World exports and decreased thereafter.
Imports from Africa fluctuated from 1980 to 1985 but remained at
about 25 percent. Nigeria was the Soviet Union's only important
trade partner in sub-Saharan Africa, receiving Soviet machinery and
exporting cocoa.
Exports to Latin America grew during the 1980s and reached 8
percent in 1985. Latin America's share of Soviet Third World
imports was high (40 percent in 1982) because of large imports of
Argentine grain. As the Soviet Union's main grain supplier,
Argentina was the Soviet Union's most significant import partner in
the Third World in 1980, 1981, and 1983. In 1986 the Soviet Union
renewed its grain agreement with Argentina for another five years.
However, because of a US$11 billion trade deficit with Argentina
that the Soviet Union had amassed from 1980 through 1985 and the
successful Soviet harvest of 1986, the Soviet Union cut its grain
imports from Argentina drastically. In 1986 they were at a six-year
low.
Data as of May 1989
|
