U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker issued the following statement today on the release of the May 2014 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services data. U.S. exports of goods and services increased to a monthly record high of $195.5 billion from $193.5 billion in April, with record levels in services: travel, transport, telecommunications, computer, and information services; automotive: vehicles, parts and engines; and consumer goods exports.

 

“Today’s strong export numbers are yet another sign that more American businesses are seizing the opportunity to sell their world-class products and services to the 95 percent of consumers who live outside the United States,” said Secretary Pritzker. “Increasing our exports is critical to our economic growth and recovery, and also supports good jobs here at home. The Department of Commerce will continue to focus on broadening and deepening the U.S. exporter base so that more American companies and communities realize the benefits of engaging in the global economy.”

 

Building on the National Export Initiative (NEI) launched by President Obama in 2010, Secretary Pritzker launched NEI/NEXT in May to help more American businesses capitalize on new and existing opportunities to sell Made-in-America goods and services abroad. NEI/NEXT will help more American companies reach more overseas markets with objectives focused on improving data, providing information on specific export opportunities, working more closely with financing organizations and service providers, and partnering with states and communities to empower local export efforts. Since the launch of the NEI, a record number of U.S. companies have exported annually, and the United States has seen an increase of 1.6 million export-supported jobs. Exports reached an all-time high of $2.3 trillion dollars last year.