Trade Fact of the Day
The U.S. manufactured goods trade balance improved 122 percent with our FTA partners, but only six percent with non-FTA partners in the first five months of 2008.
About Trade
"Free and fair trade helps secure a future of freedom and promise."
President George W. Bush
World Trade Week Proclomation
May 16, 2008
News Highlights
White House Photo
Bush Highlights World Trade Week at White House
Washington (May 23)—President George W. Bush discusses World Trade Week on the White House South Lawn in front of U.S. manufactured products. President Bush said passing free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and Korea would boost exports, which accounted for 40 percent of U.S. economic growth last year. (Remarks)
Gutierrez Greets U.S. Soldiers at DMZ; Meets with Korean Counterparts to Discuss FTA
South Korea (May 16)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez visited the Demilitarized Zone in between North and South Korea, taking time to meet with American armed forces stationed there. He visited the DMZ after giving keynote remarks to Korean business leaders in Seoul and conducting bilateral meetings with Korean leaders to discuss the pending free trade agreement between the United States and South Korea. (Keynote Remarks)
Gutierrez and Schwarzenegger Highlight Trade, Investment and Economic Stimulus in California
Torrance, Calif. (May 12)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today toured a Hitachi plant in California to highlight the importance of foreign direct investment in creating U.S. jobs. The two also authored an opinion editorial in the Wall Street Journal that highlighted the need for America’s openness. They wrote, “As immigrants, we're proud of America and the strength it derives from being uniquely open to trade, to investment, and to ideas and people.” (Opinion Editorial)
Secretary Gutierrez Travels to China and Korea for High-Level Meetings to Discuss Bilateral Trade
Miami (May 9)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez will travel to Beijing, China and Seoul, South Korea, May 14-16, to discuss bilateral trade and promote U.S. exports. “American businesses, workers, farmers and ranchers are exporting around the world at record rates,” Gutierrez said. “While U.S. exports of goods to China, now our third-largest export partner, grew by more than 18 percent in 2007, significant trade barriers to the Chinese market remain.” (More)
Colombia: An Opportunity for Lasting Success
Washington (May 8)—Senior Coordinator of the State Department’s Western Hemisphere Affairs Free Trade Task Force Charles S. Shapiro blogged about the Colombia free trade agreement on “Dipnotes,” the State Department’s official blog. He wrote, “In today’s world of globalization, countries are not looking inward but rather outward to achieve growth and prosperity. Our friends in Latin America see free trade agreements as the way to accomplish this goal.” (Blog)
