Press Release

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Statement on Trade Numbers

WASHINGTON—U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke issued the following statement on the release of the April 2009 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report by the Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Today’s report showed that U.S. exports decreased by 2.3 percent to $121.1 billion since March 2009. Imports decreased 1.4 percent to $150.3 billion. Overall, the trade deficit grew 2.2 percent during the same time period.

“Today’s numbers remind us just how challenging the world economic environment is.That’s why it’s important we continue supporting American businesses by removing trade barriers and encouraging other countries to resist protectionist impulses.”