Benefits of Trade

The United States is the world's largest economy and the largest exporter and importer. Trade is critical to America's prosperity - fueling economic growth, supporting good jobs at home, raising living standards and helping Americans provide for their families with affordable goods and services.

The U.S. is the world's largest trading nation, with exports of goods and services over $1.8 trillion in 2008. For the first quarter of 2009, it was $375 billion.

• US manufacturing exports support nearly six million jobs including one in six manufacturing jobs

• US agricultural exports supported 808,000 jobs

• US jobs supported by goods pay 13-18 percent more than the US national average

• Exports exceeded 13 percent of U.S. GDP for the first time in 2008

Trade expansion benefits families and businesses by:

• Supporting more productive, higher paying jobs in our export sectors

• Expanding the variety of products for purchase by consumers and business

• Encouraging investment and more rapid economic growth

Trade keeps our economy open, dynamic, and competitive, and helps ensure that America continues to be the best place in the world to do business.