U.S. Exports Reached Record High in 2012

Shipping containers destined for Europe are loaded in Boston. In 2012 record levels of U.S. exports were recorded in capital goods; automotive vehicles, parts and engines; consumer goods; and travel and tourism. Photo: ©AP Images

The Department of Commerce has announced that the export of U.S. goods and services reached an all-time record during 2012, growing $92.6 billion for a total of $2.2 trillion as the U.S. economy continues to make progress toward President Obama’s goal of doubling exports from their 2009 levels. In a February 8 statement, Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank said record levels of exports were recorded in a variety of areas, including capital goods; automotive vehicles, parts and engines; consumer goods; and travel and tourism. Read the full article.

• U.S., EU Announce Decision to Launch Negotiations on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (2013-02-13) | Final Report of the U.S.-EU High Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth (2013-02-11) | Fact Sheet: United States to Negotiate Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union (2013-02-13) | U.S. Trade Representative Kirk Welcomes Presidential Decision to Pursue Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (2013-02-13)
• USDA Preserves $4 Billion in Agricultural Exports in 2012 by Knocking Down Barriers to Trade (2013-02-01)
• U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk Notifies Congress of Intent to Negotiate New International Trade Agreement on Services (2013-01-15)
• The United States and Peru Reach Agreement on Action Plan to Strengthen Forest Sector Governance (2013-01-11)
• United States and Chile Hold Sixth Meeting of the Environmental Affairs Council under the U.S.-Chile Trade Agreement (2013-01-10)

• USPTO and EPO Announce Launch of Cooperative Patent Classification System (2013-01-02)
• Russia, U.S. to Improve Intellectual Property Rights Protection (2012-12-26)
• Statement by Ambassador Michael Punke at Day Two of the Eleventh WTO Trade Policy Review of the United States (2012-12-20)
• United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk Call on Russia to Suspend its new Testing Requirements for U.S. Meat Exports to Russia (2012-12-08)
• U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk Welcomes House Vote to Extend Permanent Normal Trade Relations to Russia and Moldova (2012-11-16)
• Remarks at the UN General Assembly 67th Session in the Sixth Committee (Legal) on the UN Commission of International Trade Law (2012-10-17)
• Remarks of General Counsel United States Department of Commerce Cameron F. Kerry to the European Parliament, Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on The Reform of the EU Data Protection Framework: Building Trust in a Digital and Global World. Session VII: Data Protection in the global context - The transatlantic dimension (PDF 86k) (2012-10-10)
• Reporter Memo: United States Complies with World Trade Organization Ruling in Aircraft Dispute (2012-09-24)
• United States Contributes Funds to Support Developing Countries’ Participation In WTO Trade Facilitation Negotiations (2012-09-18) | United States Contributes $1 Million For Trade-Related Technical Assistance at WTO (2012-09-18)
• Obama Administration Challenges China’s Export Subsidies To Auto and Auto Parts Manufacturers in China (2012-09-17) | Fact Sheet: WTO Case Challenging Chinese Subsidies (2012-09-17)

U.S.-EU Highlights

Streamlined Trade of Organic Products between United States and European Union Begins

Organic products certified in the United States or European Union may now be sold as organic in either market. Although there are slight differences between the United States and European Union organic standards, both parties individually determined that their programs were equivalent, thereby allowing the agreement that opened up trade yesterday June 4. "This agreement provides economic opportunities for certified organic farmers as well as additional incentives for prospective farmers," said Miles McEvoy, National Organic Program Deputy Administrator. "We look forward to working with our European Union counterparts to support organic agriculture." Read the USDA press release | More information on the trade partnership | Read the joint statement | U.S. Organic Industry Praises U.S.-EU Partnership in Organic Trade (2012-02-15) | United States and European Union Agree to Historic New Partnership on Organic Trade (2012-02-15)

• United States, European Union Advance Work to Promote Open, Transparent, and Nondiscriminatory Investment Policies (2012-10-24)
• Remarks of General Counsel United States Department of Commerce Cameron F. Kerry to the European Parliament, Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on The Reform of the EU Data Protection Framework: Building Trust in a Digital and Global World. Session VII: Data Protection in the global context - The transatlantic dimension (PDF 86k) (2012-10-10)
• U.S., EU Hold Workshop to Encourage SME Participation in Transatlantic Trade (2012-07-12)
• Interim Report to Leaders from the Co-Chairs of the EU-U.S. High Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth (2012-06-19)
• U.S.-EU Organic Trade Starts June 1 (2012-06-01)
• USTR Kirk: U.S., EU Need to Tap Full Potential of Relationship (2012-05-22) | Remarks by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk at the London School of Economics and Political Science on U.S.-EU Trade Policy (2012-05-22)
• U.S. Trade Representative Kirk Announces U.S. Challenge to Europe in Aircraft Trade Dispute (2012-03-30) | U.S. Trade Representative Kirk Announces U.S. Victory in WTO Aircraft Dispute (2012-03-14)
• U.S.-EU Joint Statement on Privacy from EU Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding and U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson (2012-03-19)
• Remarks by Deputy United States Trade Representative Michael Punke at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce-BusinessEurope Joint Conference (2012-03-19)
• Obama: U.S., EU and Japan File Trade Case Against China (2012-03-13)
• European Union and United States Agree to Historic New Partnership on Organic Trade (2012-02-15) | U.S. Organic Industry Praises U.S.-EU Partnership in Organic Trade (2012-02-15)
• U.S. Trade Representative Kirk Announces Solution to Years-Old Zeroing Disputes, Demonstrating Commitment to Export Growth and Job Creation (2012-02-06)