The Obama Administration hopes to double America’s exports in the next five years, creating some 2 million new jobs, said United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk in a speech today at the Clinton School.
Increasing the country’s exports is key to recovering from the economic recession, Kirk said. The United States currently exports about $1.1 trillion in goods and services while imports account for roughly $1.6 trillion, Kirk said.
“The work we do in the Obama Administration is really framed in how we expand opportunity to strengthen the middle class,” Kirk said.
Kirk said the administration is also seeking to make sure other countries, such as China, are following fair trading practices. He said China must “play by the rules” when it comes to regulating products and setting its currency.
Kirk was introduced by Clinton School student Fernando Cutz. Video of his lecture will be posted soon at www.clintonschoolspeakers.com.
Kirk is a member of President Obama’s Cabinet and serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues.
Highlights of Kirk’s tenure have included a new focus on trade policy that assists America’s small- and medium-sized businesses, increased enforcement efforts to enhance the benefits of existing trade agreements, and changes to move forward the Doha Round of world trade negotiations.
A native of Texas, Kirk was elected the first African American mayor of Dallas in 1994 and previously served as secretary of state to former Texas Gov. Ann Richards.
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