U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Statement on Trade Numbers

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke issued the following statement on the release of the February 2009 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report by the Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Today’s report showed that U.S. exports increased by 1.6 percent to $126.8 billion since January 2009. Imports decreased 5.1 percent to $152.7 billion. Overall, the trade deficit shrank 28.3 percent during the same time period.

“Today’s numbers amplify the importance of continuing to do the hard work necessary to get the economy back on track.

“We are taking steps critical to creating American jobs and jumpstarting local economies, including speeding relief through the Economic Development Administration to communities hardest hit by the recession. We must continue to increase exports by fostering innovation—a goal in which the Recovery Act makes important investments—and breaking down barriers to U.S. goods and services.”