The report from the US-China Business Council shows all 18 Ohio Congressional Districts have increased exports to China this decade. District five in Northwest Ohio led the way with a 371 percent increase.
District 14 - Lake, Ashtabula, and Geauga Counties, was right behind, boasting a 369% export hike, paced by 2007 machinery sales totaling more than 70 million dollars, and chemicals exports of more than $60 million. Districts 10, 11 and 13, all in Northeast Ohio, each saw business exports to China develop by more than 330% - likewise led by machinery sales.
"Our current growth to the rest of the woerld is about 50%"
John Frisbie is president of the US-China Business Council, and says Ohio's export strength is derived from it's manufacturing diversity.
"For Ohio it's in a variety of types of products -it's machinery, it's chemicals, it's computers, it's transportation equipment; you know, these are all good kinds of things to be exported."
Regionally, dozens of companies like Canton's Timken, and Stride Tool of Glenwillow, regularly export goods to China.
Lubrizol's Brecksville operation exports polymers and fuel additives. The firm is currently building a specialty chemicals plant in Shanghai; the same city where the Case Dental School is opening a clinic later this year.
Frisbee says the success stems partly from Ohio firms being well prepared when the opportunity arose.
"China's entry into the World Trade Organization in 2000-2001 was very meaningful for U.S. companies and the reason it was, is that China had to dismantle all sorts of trade barriers - We didn't have to do anything."
The trade boom has boosted China to Ohio's third largest export partner, ranking behind Canada, and Mexico.
And the activity is set to increase. Late last week, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic returned from a trade mission that included a stop in Shanghai, his second trip to China in two years. And Frisbie says the US-China Business Council projects increased demand as China further opens its' borders and additional Ohio firms seize their chance to take advantage.
Rick Jackson, 90.3.
