U.S. exports support nearly 10 million American jobs U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker announced today that U.S. merchandise exports totaled a record $781 billion in the first six months of 2013 (January through June), up $8 billion from the same period in 2012. Seventeen states set records for June 2013 year-to-date merchandise exports, including Texas, New York, Washington, Michigan and Louisiana.
U.S. exports of transportation equipment expanded the most during the first half of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. Exports of transportation equipment from Washington (up $4.0 billion), primary metals from New York (up $3.1 billion) and computer and electronic products from Texas (up $2.2 billion), grew the most in dollar terms during that period.
Exports are an important driver of U.S. economic growth. Total merchandise exports from all 50 states contributed to a record $2.2 trillion in goods and services exports in 2012, which supported nearly 10 million jobs. Through the first six months of 2013, U.S. exports are on track for another record year and will help support the President’s National Export Initiative goal of expanding U.S. exports and supporting American jobs.
More information about individual state contribution to national exports is available through the International Trade Administration’s Office of Trade and Industry Information web page: www.trade.gov/mas/ian/statereports. An interactive map with national and state merchandise trade data is also available here: http://tse.export.gov/TSE/.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
