U.S. exports up 12.2% in 2007

U.S. exports up 12.2% in 2007 The Commerce Department released its 2007 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report Thursday showing the country's exports increased 12.2 percent to more than $1.62 billion in 2007.
   Imports increased 5.9 percent to more than $2.33 billion and the trade deficit narrowed 6.2 percent in 2007 compared to 2006.
   'Our annual trade deficit declined for the first time since 2001,' said Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez in a statement. 'U.S. exports continued to grow at record pace in 2007, more than doubling the pace of import growth.'
   Gutierrez used the Valentine's Day announcement to trumpet the need for Congress to approve the U.S.-Colombian free trade agreement. He noted that Colombia has benefited from duty-free access in the United States for 16 years under the Andean Trade Preference Act.
   Gutierrez recently toured a large flower farm near Medellin, Colombia.
   'Colombian flowers are a win-win for the United States and Colombia,' he said. 'This industry supplies both countries with jobs and flowers that go to hundreds of homes and places of work across the United States.'
   According to Commerce, the Colombian flower industry supports about 230,000 American jobs and 200,000 jobs in Colombia.