U.S. International Trade Data May 2011

iStock/Thinkstock

According to the ITA Blog Tradeology, exports decreased by 0.5 percent in May, total exports are still up 16.4 percent compared to the same period last year.

Thank goodness.  Otherwise, the NEI would fall flat on its face.

Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services:

“While exports dipped slightly in May, exports have been growing at a strong pace overall in the first five months of 2011, up 16.4percent compared to the same period last year. We’re making progress but we still have a way to go. Accelerating job growth remains a priority for this administration and we will continue to provide our businesses with the necessary tools to compete and win globally and create more American jobs. As we move closer to reaching the president’s goal of doubling exports by 2015, the Obama administration will continue to help businesses reach the 95 percent of consumers who live outside our borders,” Locke said.

Export fact sheet here.  Illustration credit:  U.S. Foreign Trade Data (U.S. Census)

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Turning a Goal Into a Reality: Increase SMB Exports

iStock/Thinkstock

John Tozzi, small business reporter for BusinessWeek and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke brainstorm about how the U.S. government plans to boost small business exports. They address three key issues:

1. What stops most small businesses from exporting?

2. How will the Obama Administration double exports in five years?

3. Some people argue that growing exports depends more on the value of the dollar, and there's not much from a policy point of view that the U.S. can do to boost exports.

Read the entire Q&A here.

The Importance of Small Businesses Exporting

iStock/Thinkstock

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

Get Ready Global Small Businesses: U.S. $6 Billion is Coming Your Way in Export Financing

iStock/Thinkstock

As reported by our friends and colleagues over at The New Entrepreneur, BusinessWeek, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke pledged $6 billion a year in export financing for U.S.A. small businesses through the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

Read all about it here:

Locke Pledges Aid for U.S. Small Business Exports (Update 1)

All we can say?

U.S.A., Export Away!