From coast to coast, manufacturers built this country. Entire communities and industries rose to prominence on the backs of steelworkers in Pennsylvania, autoworkers in Michigan and semiconductor assembly workers here in Oregon.

Over the last eight years, America has written a new chapter in our relationship with Africa. Under President Obama’s leadership, we have worked to transition our support for the continent from aid to trade and empowerment. We have started to build a full, equal, advanced economic partnership — a partnership that holds as much promise for African countries as it does for America. This week’s U.S...

Growing up in a family that made everything from railroad tank cars to medical equipment, I was raised with a deep appreciation of the American manufacturing tradition. Today, as Secretary of Commerce, I have the opportunity to not only see firsthand the modern reality of our industrial base but to partner with manufacturers across the country to strengthen this critical sector of our economy.

Water is our most precious resource. It sustains and nourishes all life on earth and underpins our entire economy, from energy and agriculture to trade and recreation. Yet water also represents one of our greatest threats. Torrential downpours, flash and river flooding, droughts and other severe weather events provide us with constant reminders of its destructive power

This August 4, we celebrated America’s tradition of discovering the next ‘big idea’ by participating in Startup Day Across America 2016. Since its launch four years ago, this annual event has provided individuals from across the country the opportunity to learn from the next generation of great entrepreneurs.

America's travel and tourism industry is on the rise. Representing $1.6 trillion in economic activity yearly, this sector of our economy supports more than 8.1 million U.S. jobs. One out of every eighteen Americans is employed by travel and tourism-related businesses, the overwhelmingly majority of which are classified as small firms. In fact, more people are employed by travel and tourism-...

Today, Brooklyn-made products are exported to countries all over the world, from Canada and Brazil to Saudi Arabia and Japan. But before that was possible, America’s fourth largest city had to reinvent its manufacturing industry. Throughout the 1970s, '80s and '90s, the urban economy of Brooklyn, as in many other cities, was shattered. There was massive population loss and an exodus of...

If manufacturing in the United States were its own country, it would rank as the ninth-largest economy in the world, with manufacturers contributing $2.09 trillion to the U.S. economy every year. Every dollar spent in the manufacturing sector adds another $1.37 to the economy and each manufacturing job creates another 2.5 jobs in local goods and services.

When President Obama recently signed Trade Promotion Authority and Trade Adjustment Assistance into law, it marked a victory for bipartisanship, for common sense, and, most importantly, for American businesses and our workers. By continuing to engage with trading partners throughout the world, we are ensuring that the U.S. does not cede ground in the race for economic and job growth — and we are...

Chicago's Garrett Popcorn is a local institution whose flavored snacks have been enjoyed by Chicagoans and visitors for more than 65 years. Recently, the chain was recognized for something more than its unique combination of sweet CaramelCrisp and savory CheeseCorn flavors: the success the company has achieved selling its popcorn to overseas customers...

In today's economy, all businesses need to think globally. Any entrepreneur or CEO faces a world that is more interconnected and more competitive than ever -- and to succeed in the 21st century, any smart enterprise knows that its customer base is not just around the corner, but around the world. There is no doubt that the global economic landscape has changed dramatically in recent years...

‘Businesses here have awakened to the fact that their next order could come from anywhere. Exporting is a major reason why Kansas City companies—from transportation equipment to chemicals—are creating jobs once again.”

On Dec. 17, 2010, a Tunisian street vendor named Mohammed Bouazizi staged a desperate protest against corrupt local officials by setting himself on fire. The act helped trigger a revolution in his country and a wave of uprisings across North Africa and the Middle East. The consequences of his actions were complex, but his demands were simple: He wanted to earn a good living, start a business and...

Today, we cannot forget that the roots of that extraordinary political upheaval were about economic freedom. Indeed, Mohamed Bouazizi’s demands were simple: the chance to earn a good living; the opportunity to start a business; and the need to put food on the table and support a family.

Today, I traveled to Charlotte for a discussion with the local chamber of commerce about the President’s State of the Union address, the state of our economy, and what we can do to support a durable and sustainable American economy.

On both sides of the 2,000 mile border we share with Mexico, our people and our businesses are working together to create jobs, economic opportunity, and prosperity. The interests we share with our neighbor to the south, our third largest trading partner in the world, are not just about border security and immigration.

Op-Ed by U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker

Op-Ed by Penny Pritzker and Jeffrey Zients

"Africa is no longer a sleeping giant but is awake and open for business.” These words from a rising South African leader at last week’s Young African Leaders Summit could not be more accurate: Africa might well be the biggest market opportunity in the global economy today, and U.S. companies cannot afford to miss out...

For years, companies have engaged in “labor arbitrage,” seeking lower wages outside of the United States. But many firms are looking to reshore or expand U.S. operations because the global economic landscape is changing.

Over the last 5 years, the United States has seen an increase of 15 million annual international travelers and this growth has SUPPORTED roughly 175,000 American jobs.

This is an open letter to parents across America. As hard as it may be to believe some days, research shows you actually have a lot of sway over your children's classroom and career choices. That is great news for parents, like you, who want their children to find careers that pay well, offer interesting life-long challenges and make our country stronger. ...

America today is the global epicenter of innovation. The U.S. has 6 million workers employed in technology and the highest concentration of knowledge and technology intensive industries in the world, representing 40 percent of our GDP.

All Americans love a comeback story. And that is the story that President Obama weaved in his powerful State of the Union address. Thanks to the grit, resilience and hard work of the American people and our businesses, more than 2 million jobs were created last year and we hit the lowest unemployment rate in more than five years.