USTR focuses on small, mid-sized U.S. exporters

USTR focuses on small, mid-sized U.S. exporters

Kirk

   The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has asked the International Trade Commission this week to measure the size of the U.S. export market that specifically involves small and medium-sized companies.
   “USTR is sharpening its focus on small- and medium-sized American businesses to craft new trade policies and enforce existing ones in ways that will help these firms grow exports around the world, and grow jobs here at home,” said U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk in a statement. “American companies of all sizes must export their goods and services to get our economy growing again.”
   Kirk said the USTR effort would focus on identifying and increasing opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to export both goods and services. Services, in particular, account for 80 percent of U.S. jobs, he noted.
   The U.S. trade representative said his agency will also work with agencies, such as the Commerce Department and Small Business Administration, to promote small and medium-sized company exports.
   Kirk said announcements of further steps in USTR’s initiative on small and mid-sized businesses would be made in the coming months.
   For more details about federal government programs to promote small and mid-sized business export opportunities, read the August American Shipper, pages 8-13.