Sectors of American Economy

The US natural advantages and resources are probably greater than those of any other area of equal size. The land is as varied as it is huge. There are plains and mountains, grasslands and forests, sandy soil, clay and rich, dark loams.

The USA is rich in natural resources, the main being iron ore, coal and oil. The nation produces more than 100 million tons of iron a year. Four fifths of the ore mined in the USA comes from the Great Lakes region. Though a great deal of the ore has been used up, its resources have not been exhausted. Most of the coal mined in the USA is used by power plants to produce electricity. Coal is also used in the chemical industries for the manufacture of plastics and other synthetics. The production, processing and marketing of such oil products as petrol (called gasoline or gas in the USA) make up one of America’s largest industries.

The basic metals and minerals mined in the United States are zinc, copper and silver.

The United States is an industrial country with various branches of heavy industry prevailing: mining, metallurgical, automobile and chemical industries as well as engineering. Many branches of light industry are also developed, among them are textile, food and woodworking industries. A great deal of attention in American industry is devoted to raising labour productivity, improving the working conditions, the employment of labour-saving machines, management training.

The US by far remains the world’s leading manufacturer by value of goods produced. It hit a record $1.6 trillion in 2007. In 2007 the US sold more than $200 billion worth of aircraft, missiles and space-related equipment, $80 billion worth of automobiles and auto parts.

The Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing crops, raising animals, harvesting timber, and harvesting fish and other animals on a farm, ranch, or from their natural habitats.

In 2008 agriculture accounted for 1.2% of the US GDP. The American major crops and products are wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish; forest products.

The US remains the leading world exporter of wheat, maize and soybeans and its meat exports grow steadily. The EU and the US are the world’s biggest cheese producers, accounting for almost 70% of production. The US is the largest producer and consumer of poultry and meat products. Grains and animal products account for two thirds of the export gains.

The private non-good producing industries account for approximately 70% of total economic activity in the US. These industries include financial services, retail trade, wholesale trade, and the service industries, government services, transportation, entertainment, tourism, etc.

The US service sector is the largest sector in the economy and accounts for an increasingly significant share of GDP. Both in the US, as well as in other industrialized nations, the service sector is a dynamic component of economic activity and growth. It includes a wide variety of businesses: Truck Transportation, Messenger Services and Warehousing; Securities, Commodities, and Other Financial Investments; Rental and Leasing Services; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services; Health Care and Social Assistance, etc. Government services play a major role in the economy.

The United States is one of the most significant nations in the world when it comes to international trade. For decades, it has led the world in imports while simultaneously remaining as one of the top three exporters of the world.

The leading US exports are industrial machinery, electronic equipment, grain, oil products and chemicals. Exports-partners are Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, the UK and Germany.

Major imports are agricultural products, industrial supplies, capital goods, consumer goods (automobiles, clothing, medicines, furniture, toys). China, Canada, Mexico, Japan and Germany are chief trading partners.

Notes:

loam (n) – глина

missile (n) – ракета

1. Complete the suggested statements using the information from the text above:

1. … pushed the United States into a recession.

2. The American free enterprise system emphasizes ….

3. The interaction between competing producers and consumers ultimately determines ….

4. The United States of America is rich in natural resources such as ….

5. The American major crops and products are ….

6. The USA is an industrial country, with various branches of heavy industry prevailing, namely ….

7. A great deal of attention in American industry is devoted to ….

8. The US service sector is the largest sector in the economy and accounts for …

9. America’s leading exports are ….

2. Re-read the text, paying more attention to the details so as to answer the questions that follow:

1. What are the current problems the United States faces nowadays?

2. What measures have been taken to help the economy recover?

3. What system is the US economy based on?

4. Why is the nation’s economy sometimes called a ‘consumer economy’?

5. What is the role of the government in the US economy? Does it provide any services and goods?

6. Is the country rich in mineral resources?

7. What are the key sectors of American economy?

8. Does the US remain the world’s leading manufacturer by value of goods produced?

9. What are the American major crops and products?

10. What services do the private non-good producing industries include?

11. What are the country’s exports and imports?

12. What countries are the US chief trading partners?

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