Transcript
The month of May has been designated as World Trade Month. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with its TradeRoots program, are hosting events across the U.S. to highlight the economic benefits Free Trade Agreements will have for American workers, consumers and businesses. Trade is no longer a luxury. It is in the vital self-interest of our nation. One-third of our economy is now trade dependent. Ninety-five percent of the world's consumers live outside the United States. Yet, trade is often misunderstood and misrepresented. Here are a few facts you may not know about trade:
- Foreign companies in the United States directly employ 5.1 million Americans and support millions more indirectly
- Imports keep inflation low and expand consumer choice and quality
- One in three acres of U.S. agricultural production is exported AND
- 97% of exporters are small businesses, and exports directly support 12 million jobs, and indirectly support millions of other jobs
Free trade critics are right on one score: too many markets abroad remain unfair and closed to American goods and services. But the answer isn't to close our markets-it's to open theirs and instill the rule of law. We need to continue to work hard to educate Americans about the facts on trade. We will make the right decisions, we will make the right investments and we will create a better nation and world for our children and grandchildren.
--Leslie Schweitzer
Senior Trade Advisor
U.S. Chamber of Commerce |
