For Immediate Release: July 22, 2011
Contact: Mary Trupo (202) 482-3809
Creating Jobs of the Future by Enhancing Border Trade Focus of Obama Trade Official
Under Secretary for International Trade addresses U.S.- Canada Economic Group
PORTLAND, Ore. – Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez completed his Jobs of the Future Tour today with keynote remarks at the 21st Annual Pacific Northwest Economic Region Summit. His remarks focused on the role and impact of the U.S.-Canada border trade issues.
“The U.S. and Canada share more than a border. We share similar values and aspirations. Our economies are intertwined, creating jobs and growth on both sides of the border,” said Sánchez. “Ensuring that our borders are secure yet able to transfer goods expediently is a top priority for the Obama administration.”
U.S.-Canada bilateral trade in goods and services exceeds $500 billion annually. In the past year, U.S.-Canada bilateral trade increased more than 20 percent. During the past two decades, U.S.-Canada trade has tripled. U.S. goods imports from Canada in 2010 totaled $276.5 billion, accounting for 22 percent of Canada’s GDP.
“The importance of the relationship cannot be overstated,” Sánchez said. “Last year, U.S. exports to Ontario alone exceeded U.S. exports to Brazil, Russia, India, and China combined.”
Earlier in the day, Sánchez met with the members of the Manufacturing Council to review their recommendations on workforce development, energy policy, and support of the pending trade agreements.
These recommendations include the need to accelerate current programs to close the gap between unemployment and the highly skilled workforce that manufacturers need to grow their business, and the development of a comprehensive energy policy that identify three vital areas: energy efficiency, energy regulatory reform, and a clean energy standard.
The Manufacturing Council consists of 22 members who represent the U.S. manufacturing industry and are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to serve two-year terms.
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