Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker on International Trade in Goods and Services in January 2014

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker issued the following statement today on the release of the January 2014 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services data. U.S. exports of goods and services increased to $192.5 billion from $191.3 billion in December, with record levels in services exports led by “other private services” which include business, financial, and insurance services.

“U.S. exports are off to a solid start in 2014, and we will build on that success in the months and years ahead,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. “The U.S. Department of Commerce will continue helping U.S. companies access new markets so they can reach the 95 percent of worldwide consumers who live outside our borders. We know that when our businesses sell their goods around the world, they create growth and opportunity here at home. Exports supported 11.3 million jobs nationwide last year, and we’re working hard to ensure more U.S. communities benefit from the job opportunities and economic benefits that come from exporting companies.”

Since President Obama launched the National Export Initiative (NEI) in 2010, the United States has seen an increase of 1.6 million export-supported jobs. The NEI is the first Presidential-led, government-wide export promotion strategy. Through the initiative’s focus on improving trade promotion and advocacy, reducing barriers and enforcing trade rules, U.S. exports have continued to grow. The United States exported a record $2.3 trillion dollars last year, up nearly $700 billion from 2009. Fact Sheet.