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Administration officials push for more exports

The Obama Administration says U.S. exports can pave the way for middle class economic prosperity.  To promote further exports, the administration plans more reverse trade shows to match rural businesses with foreign buyers, says Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

“The Commerce Department is going to set up a national rural innovation team which is going to focus on expanding easier access to export related assistance and information and events that will help those small and medium-sized businesses access new trade opportunities,” said Secretary Vilsack, during a White House conference call Thursday.

Among other efforts to promote trade, Vilsack says the administration goal is to double the number of U.S. businesses attending international trade shows and missions.

White House Domestic Policy Council Director Cecelia Munoz says the administration is pursuing the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal primarily for access to Asian markets.

“There are about 525 million middle class consumers in Asia, by 2030 there are going to be 3.2 billion,” said Munoz, also on the conference call.  “That’s more than 8 times the projected U.S. population will be at that point.  But we believe TPP will support additional jobs and growth in the United States and frankly, we think it’s foolish to cede this opportunity to other countries, like China.”

Munoz says that between 2009 and 2013, exports have supported more than a million-and-a-half jobs.  She says that American families, on average, enjoy an extra $13,000 income because of expanded trade.

AUDIO: White House conference call (32 min. MP3)