Statement from Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services in September 2009

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke issued the following statement on the release of the September 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 2.9 percent to $132.0 billion since August 2009. Imports increased 5.8 percent to $168.4 billion.

“We’re encouraged by the news that exports of goods and services increased in September for a fifth consecutive month,” Locke said. “As we meet with our Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) partners here in Singapore, we’re reminded that more than 58 percent of U.S. exports in 2008 went to APEC markets, representing important destinations for high-value, high-tech American goods. We remain committed to ensuring that U.S. manufacturers receive the benefits of exporting to our APEC partners and other nations. It's a commitment that will help put Americans back to work.”