ABSTRACT
The salient role of the United States in the world economy is clearly illustrated by the immense array of commodities exported and imported by the country. The import side of the trade ledger in 1979 showed the United States leading the world in the purchase of bauxite, tungsten, zinc, and tin. In 1980 the United States secured 28.8 percent of its imported oil from Persian Gulf countries. Dependence by the United States, Western Europe, and Japan upon imported minerals and metals is even more critical than their reliance upon petroleum. Canada and Latin America help meet the mineral needs of the United States. Even so the United States is heavily dependent upon Central and Southern African states for the supply of very critical minerals. The United States is thus a maritime nation, a giant island, whose links with key markets and mineral sources are oceanborne.
