Oregon international trade has just about recovered from its recessionary plunge, as the weak dollar boosts exports and flights fill with cargo and passengers.
Gov. John Kitzhaber, the keynote speaker, drew a standing ovation before discussing bright spots in Oregon’s economy. Kitzhaber reeled off statistics, too, saying that last year, 13 million tons of goods moved through the Port, the third-highest volume in its history, “which is a good sign that things are beginning to turn around.”
Not every indicator is up, however.
While South Korea-based Hyundai has continued shipping vehicles through the Port unscathed, Japanese auto imports remain troubled. Toyota, which had problems before the recession, was bruised by the downturn. Then came Japan’s tsunami, which crumpled Toyota’s supply chain and also hurt Honda, another Port customer. Honda was hit as well by floods in Thailand.
