Home Trade and Investment State Trade Fact Sheets 2005 Rhode Island

Rhode Island

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• 19,000 Rhode Island jobs are supported by Canada-U.S. trade
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $411 billion
• Canada–U.S. trade supported 5.2 million U.S. jobs
• Metals traded bilaterally between Canada and Rhode Island totaled $384 million Over 34% of all Rhode Island exports were sold to Canada in 2004

Not to be outdone...
Despite being the smallest state in the U.S., Rhode Island benefitted significantly from its trading relationship with Canada in 2004. Rhode Island exported more goods to its northern neighbor last year than to its next top eight foreign markets combined. State exports to Canada totaled $360 million—approximately 34% of all Rhode Island exports sold worldwide./p>

The luster of good Providence...
Household goods were in high demand by Canadians in 2004. Watches, clocks, jewelry, and silverware represented Rhode Island’s top exports to Canada last year, bringing in $17 million.

Strengthening each other...
Metals dominated Rhode Island’s import and export markets, generating $384 million in bilateral trade. Metal imports from Canada valued at $264 million consisted mostly of precious metals and alloys, worth $231 million. In fact, precious metals comprised 88% of all metal imports and were the top import from Canada last year. Metals purchased by Rhode Island experienced a 32% increase over 2003 and accounted for 39% of total Canadian imports in 2004.

Similarly, the demand for Rhode Island metals increased by an additional $18 million from 2003, bringing in a total of $120 million to the state.

Keeping each other well-equipped...
The Ocean State profited considerably from the sale of equipment to its northern ally, bringing in $45 million in 2004. Safety and sanitation equipment and a variety of electrical lighting distribution equipment were in high demand by Canadian buyers, who increased their purchases of Rhode Island equipment by $3 million in 2004.

A taste of the country...
In 2004, Rhode Island supported its completely urban community with a number of agricultural products from the Canadian countryside. Typical imports included meat, oils, and cereals. Overall, Canada sold $72 million worth of agricultural goods to its neighbor in New England.

Rhode Island’s It for Me...
Regardless of its small size (37 by 48 miles), many Canadians enjoyed visiting the heart of New England, making almost 38,000 visits to Rhode Island in 2004. Once there, they spent $12 million—a $3 million increase over revenue generated the previous year. Rhode Islanders took the liberty of exploring their World Next Door, visiting Canada nearly 74,000 times and spending $30 million.

Rhode Island's Leading Exports to Canada
2004, in millions of U.S. dollars

• Watches, clocks, jewelry & silverware ($17)
• Precious metals & alloys ($11)
• Unshaped plastics ($11)
• Safety & sanitation equipment ($10)
• Fish & marine animals ($10)
• Plastic film & sheet ($9)
• Stationery & office supplies ($8)
• Hand tools & cutlery ($7)
• Inorganic chemicals ($7)
• Computers ($6)

Rhode Island's Leading Imports from Canada
2004, in millions of U.S. dollars

• Precious metals & alloys ($231)
• Petroleum & coal products ($68)
• Printed matter ($31)
• Newsprint ($16)
• Containers ($13)
• Basic plastic shapes & forms ($12)
• Basic metal products ($12)
• Meat ($11)
• Softwood lumber ($10)
• Synthetic rubber & plastics ($10)

Canada-Rhode Island Success Stories

The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) U.S.A. Inc., incorporated on August 6, 1986, directs the retail operations of a network of 332 corporate pharmacies in the seven New England States. It also handles warehousing and product distribution as well as real estate management for The Jean Coutu Group in the United States. The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) U.S.A. has its Head Office in Warwick, Rhode Island.

American Steel & Aluminum Corporation, a division of which is located in Cumberland RI, is a subsidiary of Canada-based Novamerican Steel. This company processes and distributes carbon steel, aluminum, and stainless steel products to customers through nine operating plants in the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S. American Steel was founded in 1962 and later acquired by Novamerican in 1996.

CCL Custom Manufacturing’s Cumberland, RI plant is an industry leader in pressurized spray and solid stick custom manufacturing. Its modern facilities produce a wide range of personal care, over-the-counter drugs, and household goods. Together with 2 other plants in the U.S. and one in Canada, the North American Custom Manufacturing Division generated sales of $465 million in 2004.

Rhode Island-Canada Facts at a Glance:

• State jobs supported by Canada–U.S. trade: 19,000

June 2005

For more information on Canada's trade with Rhode Island, please contact:
Consulate General of Canada
3 Copley Place, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02116> Phone: (617) 262-3760   •   Fax: (617) 262-3415
www.boston.gc.ca

Sources: Merchandise trade and tourism figures are from Statistics Canada, converted at the rate of US$1.00=C$1.3015. Job numbers are based on 2001 data from a 2003 study by Trade Partnership Worldwide commissioned by the Canadian Embassy. Canada's export ranking is from the World Institute for Strategic Economic Research (WISER). All figures are in U.S. dollars. Figures may not add up due to rounding.

• Read the 2004 state trade figures
• Read the 2003 state trade figures
• Read the 2002 state trade figures