Canada's international trade mixed in 2008

In its annual summary, the federal agency said imports rose 6.7 percent to $442.8 billion.

"Canada's trade surplus with the United States increased to $89.1 billion from $86.3 billion in 2007, following two years of decline," StatsCan said.

Canada's exports to Brazil increased 70.7 percent from 2007, led by potash, coal and newsprint. Japan replaced China as Canada's second largest export destination, with a 20.2 percent increase to $11.1 billion, compared with a 9.1 percent gain to China worth $10.4 billion, the agency said.

On the import side, Chinese companies sold $42.6 billion worth of merchandise to Canada last year, up 11.3 percent from 2007, making it second to the United States.

"Mexico was the third largest supplier of goods to Canada, sending $17.9 billion worth of goods, a 4.2 percent increase from 2007," led mainly by imports of flat panel, high-definition televisions the agency said.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.