It both imports and exports on a large scale, but overall it is a net exporter.
China's exports, on the other hand, continued to grow strongly.
Politicians also are concerned about the impact of exports on the country's energy security.
The value of exports, on the other hand, includes the cost of these imported materials.
Exports, on which the euro area has been relying for growth, are down.
Most of South Africa's exports, on the other hand, are raw materials, in particular base metals.
Spanish exports, on a positive trend until recently, have stopped rising.
Exports, on which the figures are more reliable, were 17.5% lower in January than a year before.
By sector, manufacturers are particularly generous thanks to a profit windfall from exports on the back of the cheaper yen.
Asked about the future of Australian coal exports on Tuesday, Turnbull started with the familiar "energy poverty" argument.
Before it halted its exports on April 8, Iraq was supplying two-thirds of its crude to the United States.
