U.S. International Services - Cross-Border Trade in 2009 and Services Supplied Through Affiliates in 2008

摘要

THE BUREAU of Economic Analysis (BEA) takes a broad perspective of U.S. international sales and purchases of services in this article by presenting information on (1) services that cross borders and are included in the international transactions accounts as exports and imports and (2) services supplied by multinationals' affiliates through the channel of direct investment. This approach acknowledges the extent to which multinational companies (MNCs) provide services using affiliates located in-but owned outside of the markets that they serve. It also highlights the importance of proximity to customers in the delivery of services, which leads many companies to serve foreign markets, partly or wholly, through their affiliates. In 2008 (the latest year for which data on services supplied through affiliates are available), as in previous years, the majority of both services supplied and services obtained internationally was through affiliates (table A and chart 1).