Today, Commerce Secretary Bryson issued a statement in honor of May 2012 World Trade Month, which is marked annually by a series of state and local events across the country to promote U.S. trade relationships and provide resources to U.S. businesses looking to export their goods and services around the world.  World Trade Week, which falls in the third week of May, is recognized by a presidential proclamation annually.

Two years ago, the president set a goal of doubling our nation’s exports in five years through the National Export Initiative (NEI). On the second anniversary of the NEI, we announced that 1.2 million more Americans have export-supported jobs due to U.S. exports increasing by one-third from 2009 to 2011.  This is particularly good news because export-related jobs–like manufacturing jobs–pay higher than average.

To keep this momentum, this administration is committed to giving American workers and businesses a fair shot in the global economy by supporting trade agreements that will open up markets to U.S. companies, working to aggressively investigate unfair trade practices taking place anywhere in the world, and continuing to work to ensure that our workers and businesses are competing on a level playing field.
In short: we are helping American businesses build things here and sell them all over the world.

In addition to the World Trade Month events and activities across the country, this month the Commerce Department will present the 50th Annual President’s “E” Awards, which recognize dozens of U.S. companies for the significant contributions they have made in increasing American exports and creating jobs. Other activities will include the implementation of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, which goes into effect on May 15, and local World Trade Week (May 20-26) celebrations from New York to Los Angeles.