May is World Trade Month

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, this month we are celebrating World Trade Month to honor the nearly 300,000 American businesses which support millions of American jobs. International markets represent 73 percent of the world's purchasing power, 87 percent of its economic growth, and 95 percent of the world's consumers. More than 50 million Americans work for companies which engage in international trade and 1 in 3 acres of American farmland grows food for consumers overseas.

Unfortunately, approval of pending trade agreements with countries such as Colombia, South Korea and Panama have languished, awaiting approval by Congress. Every day we delay, the more ground our Nation and our economy lose to our international competitors. Trade is an indispensable part of American prosperity, and Congress needs to make increasing international opportunities a much higher priority.

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