U.S. exports reach record $195.9 billion in June

   The U.S. Commerce Department on Wednesday reported that the country’s exports of goods and services reached a record $195.9 billion, eclipsing the previous month’s amount by more than $300 million. 
   U.S. exports of goods and services over the last 12 months totaled $2.3 trillion, which is 46-percent above the level of exports in 2009, and have been growing at an annualized rate of 8.8 percent when compared to 2009, according to the U.S. Export-Import Bank.
   Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said the data indicates “our efforts to expand exporting opportunities for U.S. companies are paying off.” 
   Last week, Secretary Pritzker joined U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in New Delhi for the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, where she led discussions aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two countries through increased trade and collaboration in key sectors. This week, Commerce co-hosted the U.S.-Africa Business Forum with Bloomberg Philanthropies. The forum was a part of the first-ever U.S. Africa Leaders Summit.
   In May, Pritzker announced NEI/NEXT, the next phase of the President Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI) that aims to help American businesses of all sizes take advantage of opportunities to sell America goods and services abroad. U.S. exports of goods and services reached an all-time high of $2.3 trillion last year, Commerce said.