Thailand becomes one of the main importers of tires in the US

According to analysts, in 2016 Canada replaced China in the first place in the list of US trade partners in the tire market, which is mainly due to the reduction in the supply of Chinese consumer-grade tires due to tariff increases. Supplies from China for the year fell by almost 43%, to $ 1.52 billion.

The value of Canadian imports also declined, but only 1.9% to $ 1.59 billion.

In general, for the year the volume of imports by value decreased by 10% compared to 2015, with the most noticeable effect being the decrease in the volumes of supplies of cars and truck tires.

The cost of imports of tires from South Korea in 2016 increased by 0.7% to $ 1.43 billion, and from Thailand - by 21.2%, to $ 1.37 billion. Experts attribute this to the massive transfer of Chinese companies' production to Thailand. Their enterprises in Thailand are opened by such large Chinese tire companies as Qindao Sentury Tire, Shandong Linglong and Zhongce Rubber Group. In addition, the intention to use Thailand as a production base said Continental A.G. And Shandong Yinbao Tire Group, and Bridgestone and Goodyear have already announced plans to expand production of their aircraft in the country. The production capacity in Thailand is also increased by Sumitomo Rubber Industries and Vee Rubber.

From Japan, imports of tires fell by 18.6%, to $ 1.18 billion.

Also in the list of leading importers on the US tire market for the past year were Indonesia, Mexico and Taiwan, which accounted for $ 781.3 million, $ 722.8 million and $ 378.1 million, respectively.

Canada in 2016 became the leader in the supply of light truck tires to the States. Thailand ranks second, pushing South Korea, but fourth place was taken by Indonesia, which increased the supply almost threefold, to 2.45 million units.

In the import of cargo / bus tires, China continues to lead, although shipments from there fell 14.4% to 7.63 million, while Thailand was the leader in the passenger car segment, which was able to bypass South Korea and import into the States 23.8 million passenger tires - this is 24.4% more than a year ago.

With regard to tire exports from the United States, Canada, Mexico and Australia remain the main partners. Together they account for two-thirds of the tire exports from the States.