This Thursday, Americans across the country will celebrate Thanksgiving by gathering with friends and family to reflect on the many things we are grateful for. As we approach the end of the Obama Administration, we remember the benefits and opportunities our robust trade and investment relationships have brought to American workers, businesses, farmers, and ranchers.
Over the past eight years, President Obama has pursued one of the most ambitious trade agendas in history, opening markets for made- and grown-in-America exports, while leveling the playing field for workers and businesses of all sizes. Since the President took office in 2009, the United States has put more people back to work than all the major advanced economies in the world, combined and American businesses, farmers, and ranchers have exported record numbers of goods and services to the 95 percent of consumers residing outside of the United States.
This Thanksgiving, it is important to reflect on the accomplishments of the Obama Administration trade agenda, and remember how free and open trade continue to benefit and unlock opportunities for American workers, businesses, and exporters.
Since President Obama took office, the United States has exported over $14.7 trillion in goods and services to countries around the world. From 2009 until 2015, overall U.S. goods and service exports have grown more than 42.8 percent, allowing more consumers around the globe to enjoy high quality, Made-in-America goods and services in their home markets. Closer to home, we remain grateful for the nearly 11.5 million well-paying American jobs supported by goods and services exports.
From 2009, the United States has exported $8.7 trillion in manufacturing goods, energy goods exports grew 89.1 percent to $814 billion, and the U.S. experienced the strongest period for American agricultural exports in the history of our country. Since President Obama took office, the United States has exported $947 billion in agriculture goods around the world, supporting over a million American jobs both on, and off, the farm.
In honor of Thanksgiving, and with gratitude for the millions of American farmers and ranchers who produced and supported strong grown-in-America exports, here’s a look at some agriculture export highlights over the last eight years.
Turkey: As Americans prepare to eat some of the roughly 46 million turkeys consumed at Thanksgiving, American poultry farmers may reflect and give thanks for the more than $33 billion in U.S. poultry meat and products exported around the world since 2009.
Vegetables: A healthful Thanksgiving includes a delicious spread of American vegetables, including Florida green beans and Oregon potatoes. From 2009 – 2015, American farmers have exported over $31 billion of fresh and processed vegetables worldwide.
Fruit: No Thanksgiving is complete without an array of fresh pies and desserts, sweetened by grown-in-America fruits, like Massachusetts cranberries, California cherries, and Washington apples. Since 2009, American farmers have exported $42 billion in fruits, marking a 30 percent growth in fresh fruit, and a 51 percent increase in processed fruit exports, over the course of the Obama Administration.
Wheat: Thanksgiving dinners always feature a wide array of wheat based goods. Since 2009, American farmers have exported $55.2 billion in wheat to consumers around the globe.
Wine and Beer: Thanksgiving is incomplete without New York wines or American-brewed craft beer to supplement a turkey dinner. Since the beginning of the Administration, Americans have exported $12.3 billion in wine and beer to consumers and imbibers around the globe. American breweries and vineyards have much to be thankful for; the value of wine and beer exports grew 90 percent between 2009 – 2015, supporting jobs and supplementing meals throughout the world.
Thanksgiving is just one day to reflect and give thanks for the many opportunities and benefits we enjoy as Americans. Over the past eight years, President Obama and his team have worked hard to secure these benefits for American farmers, ranchers, innovators, and businesses of all sizes, by promoting greater market access and ease of exports for American goods and services, leveling the playing field through trade endorsement, and securing greater opportunities for American exporters. As the Obama Administration comes to a close, we are thankful for the growth and benefits that trade has provided, and hope they may be enjoyed for years to come.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative wishes a safe and happy Thanksgiving to you all!
