Your manager’s memo to you is below. In it your manager is giving you tasks to address regarding international trade. You are not expected to be an expert, just willing and able to use the resources available to develop an accurate response.
Your memo should start with an introduction that reminds the manager what s/he requested you to do. Next, overview the information your manager can expect to find in your memo. After that, respond to each topic you were requested to address in sequence. For each topic, your response should clearly state the question(s) you understood you were to address. Then give a written response to the question that summarizes the source information. Your written response should then be supported with (1) an image that shows the specific source information you used, and (2) a weblink to that source in case your manager wants to seek out additional information. Note: An image does not replace your written response, it only shows the source information used. Finally, you may choose to provide a conclusion to your memo.
Images may be screen clipped to include them. That image should show the name of YOUR COUNTRY/YOUR STATE.
To: You
From: Your Manager
Date: February 22, 2022
Subject: Export Promotion
Below are subjects that need some research for an agency in YOUR STATE. The agency said they might want to use subscription sources (PIERS, Datamyne, Euromonitor, etc.) in the future to research competitor activity but wanted to try free sources first.
Consider each subject, examine sources, and provide a brief response. Include screen clippings of your source material. That image should show the name of YOUR COUNTRY/YOUR STATE and the exact information that supports your response.
Some potential sources you might find helpful are provided.
A government agency in YOUR STATE wants to expand the state’s exports.
1. Determine YOUR STATE’s major exports.
A. Identify the top 10 exports from YOUR STATE in 2020. Include the HS Code and the value in millions of dollars for that year. Identify one top export product from YOUR STATE upon which you will focus. (Use the U.S. International Trade Data provided by the Census Bureau HERE (Links to an external site.))
2. Identify and justify some countries that might be promising for a trade mission from YOUR STATE.
A. The Observatory of Economic Complexity provides international trade information for countries. A link to their website is HERE (Links to an external site.). Under the Tools tab, select “Tree Map.” Use the “Bilateral – Exports by Product” option to find the information needed for the top export product that you identified above. Under “Product” select this top export product. Use the HS6 data to get as close to the HS Code for that product as you can. Under “Country,” select “United States.” See image “A” for customization settings. Clicking on “Build Visualization” will give you a diagram with a question above it. Verify it is the question. The United States’ top exports of this product went to these countries. See image “B.” List the countries (up to ten) getting the greatest percentage of this top export product from the U.S. as a whole. This diagram tells you what countries are currently buying from the U.S.
Next, determine what countries are buying a lot of this product. Use the “Tree Map” again. Use the “Product – Importers” option to identify what countries import that product. Customize the settings for the top importers of this product. Under “Product” select this top export product. Use the HS6 data to get as close to the HS Code for that product as you can. See image “C” for customization settings. Clicking on “Build Visualization” will give you a diagram with a question above it. The countries that are the top importers of this product will be shown. Verify it is the question. See image “D.” List the countries (up to ten) that are importing the greatest percentage of this product. This diagram tells you what countries are currently buying a lot of this product in general.