About Trade
"Free and fair trade helps secure a future of freedom and promise."
President George W. Bush
World Trade Week Proclomation
May 16, 2008
News Highlights
File Photo
Statement by Secretary Gutierrez on Second Quarter GDP
Washington (July 31)—Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez released the following statement on the preliminary second quarter real gross domestic product (GDP), which showed that the U.S. economy grew at a rate of 1.9 percent in the second quarter of 2008: “Second quarter growth was twice the rate of the first quarter despite economic headwinds. Today’s report demonstrates that the stimulus was the right plan at the right time—and that it’s working.We are seeing signs that consumers are spending their money in ways that make sense for them.” (More)
Commerce Official Kicks-Off National Sustainable Manufacturing Tours
St. Louis (July 28)—U.S. Commerce Assistant Secretary William G. Sutton leads the first Sustainable Manufacturing American Regional Tour (SMART) at Sunnen Products Company.“The United States is a global leader in sustainable manufacturing, improving our competitiveness in the global market,” said Sutton. “The SMART project seeks to showcase ways U.S. manufacturers can attract new clients and customers, become good corporate citizens, and boost their bottom lines through sustainable production practices.” (More)
Gutierrez Calls on Congress to Pass FTAs at “America Wins with Trade” Bus Stop
Washington (July 24)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez today welcomed the Consumer Electronics Association’s “America Wins with Trade” bus to our nation’s capital. He highlighted export growth and the need for Congress to pass FTAs with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. “In 2007, our country exported a record of $1.6 trillion dollars,” Gutierrez said. “That’s 12 percent of our economy. Free trade agreements are good for jobs, are good for exports, are good for the economy, and there’s no excuse to not pass these agreements now.” (Video) (Remarks)
U.S. Manufacturing Exports Swing from Deficit to Surplus with FTA Countries
Washington (July 23)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez announced new data showing that the United States is running a trade surplus in manufactured exports with our 14 free trade agreement (FTA) partners. In the first five months of 2008, the trade balance in manufactured goods rose to a $2.7 billion surplus with our FTA partners from a $12.3 billion deficit during the same period last year. “These figures show that our FTAs are succeeding and that Americans benefit from open markets,” Gutierrez said. (Fact Sheet) (Remarks) (Release)
President Bush Honors Colombian Independence Day, Highlights Shared Democratic Values and the Need to Pass Free Trade Agreements
Washington (July 22)—In remarks at the White House in observance of Colombia’s 199th anniversary of independence, President George W. Bush highlighted the strong historical bonds of freedom and democracy shared by our two nations. He also called upon the U.S. Congress to quickly approve the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement as a crucial national security priority, in addition to making good economic sense, as well as pending trade agreements with Panama and Korea. (Remarks) (Fact Sheet)
