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For Immediate Release: June 28, 2011
Contact: Cory Churches (202) 482-3809
Canada Offers manufacturing and Exporting opportunities for Michigan Businesses
Assistant Secretary of Commerce Highlights Growing Opportunities for U.S. Firms
DETROIT – Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services Nicole Y. Lamb-Hale today explained how Michigan companies could work with Canadian firms to further expand their export opportunities, during keynote remarks at a President’s Export Council luncheon. Canada is the United States’ largest export market, and in 2010, Michigan led the nation in exports to this critical trading partner. More than 50 percent of Michigan’s total merchandise exports – more than $22.1 billion – were to Canada
“The United States and Canada’s trade relationship is critical to President Obama’s National Export Initiative and the overall revitalization of the U.S. economy,” said Lamb-Hale “Detroit’s success is America’s success, and by working together with our Canadian colleagues we can create new American jobs and secure a promising future for both our countries.”
Lamb-Hale joined U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson and senior U.S. government officials to facilitate discussions with Detroit business leaders on taking advantage of the solid U.S.-Canada trade relationship. President’s Export Council Members Stephanie Burns of Dow Corning, and Gene Hale of G&C Equipment Corporation will take today’s recommendations to the Council for future deliberations, and ultimately will make recommendations to the President on how to expand U.S. exports and create American jobs.
“In the past year, we’ve spent a lot of time discussing new and emerging markets, and the importance of opening access to these markets for U.S. businesses,” said Burns, Chairwoman, President and CEO, Dow Corning. “But what made today special was that we had the opportunity to discuss Canada – one of our oldest and most important trading partners.”
The National Export Initiative calls for a doubling of U.S. exports by 2015 to support several million jobs. In 2010, U.S. exports grew by nearly 17 percent from the previous year - the largest year-to-year percent change in more than 20 years - keeping the United States on track to achieve this goal.
U.S. exports to Canada totaled $249 billion in 2010 (14 percent of total U.S. exports), an increase of 21 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. Michigan’s export shipments of merchandise in 2010 totaled $44.5 billion. Export-supported jobs linked to manufacturing account for an estimated 7.6 percent of Michigan’s total private-sector employment.###
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