World Trade Week, 2012

Proclamation 8827 of May 21, 2012

World Trade Week, 2012

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America has always been a Nation of doers, makers,
growers, and builders. Empowered by innovative
universities, pioneering entrepreneurs, and productive
workers, we have met a global demand for goods and
services designed and produced by Americans. During
World Trade Week, we reaffirm the essential role
exports play in creating jobs and growing our economy.

Two years ago, my Administration launched the National
Export Initiative with the goal of doubling our exports
by the end of 2014. We continue to make historic
progress toward achieving this goal; last year, exports
surpassed $2.1 trillion in value for the first time in
our history. This kind of growth protects and creates
jobs here at home, helping individuals, families, and
entire communities prosper.

We are determined to do everything in our power to
sustain this momentum. Last year, I signed legislation
to implement three trade agreements that will make it
easier for American companies, farmers, and ranchers to
sell their products in Korea, Panama, and Colombia.
These agreements will support tens of thousands of
American jobs, generate billions of dollars in
additional exports, and help level the playing field to
ensure our businesses can compete and succeed in the
global marketplace. To ensure competitors play by the
rules, we created the Interagency Trade Enforcement
Center, which will aggressively investigate unfair
trade practices taking place anywhere in the world.
These and other measures will help maintain our
Nation's competitive edge in a challenging and evolving
global economy.

Because 95 percent of the world's consumers live
outside the United States, we must continue to look
beyond our borders--from Beijing to Bogota--to open new
markets for American exporters. As we work to expand
economic opportunity here at home, we are reminded how
three proud words, ``Made in America,'' will ensure our
next generation inherits an economy built to last.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim May 20 through May
26, 2012, as World Trade Week. I encourage all
Americans to observe this week with events, trade
shows, and educational programs that celebrate and
inform Americans about the benefits of trade to our
Nation and the global economy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.