Is It Possible to Oppose Exports?

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Here's the story. Cliffs Natural Resources and Caterpillar are in a battle.

Cliffs is opposed to a proposal for the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im) to provide $650 million in long-term financing for Australia’s Roy Hill iron ore mine to purchase mining trucks, bulldozers, and shovels made by Caterpillar at its plants in Illinois and Wisconsin. Cliffs says the loan threatens U.S. mining jobs, and it is seeking support for its views in Congress.

The article goes on to say "boosting exports is vital to reigniting U.S. economic growth and job creation."

So, is it possible to oppose exports?  Read the entire article to understand the arguments:

Man Bites Dog:  Exports and Jobs at Stake in Ex-Im Bank Decision

Globalization: Rule Breaker

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The world according to the many changes taking place, including globalization.

Until quite recently, globalization was seen as a one-way street. American companies, which led the charge four decades or so ago into growing global markets, were its ambassadors — and American workers, whose wages and upward mobility were flattened, were the victims. The core idea was that globalization, technological innovation and unfettered free trade would erase historical and geographic boundaries, making the world ever more economically interconnected and alike. (Foreign-affairs writer Tom Friedman famously shorthanded this notion with the title of his book The World Is Flat.)

Read the entire article here.

Related article:  Embrace Globalization!

The Importance of Small Businesses Exporting

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Recap of the latest on why small businesses should export. Looks like we're building momentum and getting a little traction:

Small businesses: Exporting to extend reach (Chicago Tribune)

Key quote: "If small businesses can sell more, they'll produce more, and more people can find work."

Size no barrier to export success (The Australian -- great little article)

Key quote: "Resourcefulness and self-belief are the keys to victory for small businesses in the global market."

Commerce secretary uses Cat subsidiary as export example (Peoria, IL, pjstar.com) ... somebody help me out here ... how does Caterpillar (mining truck shown above) represent a good example of a small business?

Key quote: "When traditional drivers of U.S. economic growth like consumer and business spending are facing headwinds, increasing exports must be a central part of America's economic recovery and job creation efforts."

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog