In the light of these observations we will now examine the commercial movement in itself, while noting its distribution according to the various countries which exchange their products with the Argentine. We will then give a list of the principal articles entering into the composition of this foreign trade. IMPORTS Here is a table of imports for the years 1906-1908, and for the first six months of 1909, classed according to their origin and in order of importance: Country of Origin. 1906. 1907. 1908. 1909. (Six months.) Great Britain £18,965,987 £19,587,148 £18,674,279 £9,416,405 Germany 7,683,252 9,162,234 7,569,417 4,305,742 United States 7,894,979 7,768,455 7,119,401 3,704,917 France 5,348,975 5,093,605 5,295,385 2,998,346 Italy 4,824,727 4,800,648 4,982,649 2,706,014 Belgium 2,425,608 3,179,370 2,550,674 1,309,920 Brazil 1,328,205 1,569,871 1,457,189 751,923 Spain 1,473,654 1,458,894 1,723,622 859,013 Uruguay 366,648 494,551 441,407 269,740 Holland 302,349 352,401 407,606 212,714 Paraguay 261,794 282,867 301,991 185,114 Cuba 135,916 115,396 136,137 59,607 Chili 105,643 110,965 145,398 39,756 Bolivia 26,822 25,375 31,212 13,443 Other Countries 2,829,544 3,170,354 3,758,181 1,414,952 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Totals £53,994,104 £57,172,136 £54,594,547 £28,276,906 =========== =========== =========== =========== _Great Britain_ is always at the head of the list of imports, the total of her products imported by the Argentine in 1908 being £18,674,279. Among these products one of the greatest importance is coal, of which 2,338,949 tons were imported in 1907, representing a value of £3,274,528. Woven fabrics of all kinds attained a value of £3,038,694; railroad material £2,703,945, and sacking for making up into sacks, £296,585. _Germany_ now occupies the second place. The imports from Germany, worth £7,569,417 in 1908, are of all kinds, and include almost every kind of product consumed by the Argentine. On account of her various industries, metallurgical products holds the first place; then come woven fabrics and paper.