Brazil Takes Top Share of Latin America's Largest Companies

  
As the United States government savors its TPA victory, Brazil, its most vocal critic, continues to grow as an industrial power in the region. According to the Gazeta Mercantil group's 2001 ranking of the 1,000 largest Latin American companies, Brazil has almost half, or 479. Mexico accounted for 20 more companies than the year before, but still had only 198. Argentina's role was reduced from 268 to 219 companies. Most important, Brazilian companies dominated liquid profits, accounting for 38.88% of all Latin America, but slightly below 1999 figures. Venezuela surpassed Chile to occupy the number four spot.

Nevertheless, Brazil's trade figures continue to be out of sync with its industrial position. Brazil doesn't export as much as its economic activity would suggest. However, it continues to have a predominant position in industrialized exports in relation to total exports, and recent figures suggest that its exports to the US are increasing. These statistics need to be analyzed as the FTAA negotiations move ahead.