National Export Strategy 2002 - International Trade Administration ...

Letter from the President
The advancement of trade around the world is one of the highest priorities of my
Presidency. Trade is critical to our economic growth and prosperity, and to the
ability of developing countries to lift themselves out of poverty. We have launched
new global trade negotiations in Doha, completed the accession of China and Taiwan
into the World Trade Organization, and are moving ahead to complete negotiations
for the Free Trade Area of the Americas and, bilaterally, with Chile and Singapore.
The granting of Trade Promotion Authority would further allow us to recapture the
initiative in opening new markets for American goods and services.
A successful trade policy also requires that U.S. companies obtain the information,
expertise, and financing they need to take full advantage of trade opportunities that
will benefit our workers, farmers, and communities. This report addresses a key
strategy of our trade agenda and lays the foundation for what we intend to
accomplish with our investment, trade promotion, and trade finance programs
during my Administration.
This is the first National Export Strategy of my Administration. It sets our course
toward a world-class system of Federal programs that are coordinated, leveraged, and
focused on the tools small and large U.S. companies need most to take advantage of
emerging trade opportunities. I commend Secretary Donald Evans for reinvigorating
the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) as a management tool
dedicated to achieving world-class trade programs by addressing customer needs and
concerns. This effort is also part of my Administration’s Management Agenda which
seeks to shift the emphasis of Government toward results, responsiveness, and
leveraging of resources across agencies to better accomplish our objectives. Our
Export Strategy, beginning with this report, provides our exporters and investors
with the tools they need to compete as we negotiate agreements that create new
opportunities for U.S. goods and services. These recommendations are built on a
solid base of direct input from the customers we serve, with particular attention
given to small businesses – the backbone of the American economy.
The great strength of the American economy is the spirit of innovation,
entrepreneurship, and competitiveness that drives our industry, agriculture, and
service businesses. Government can play a crucial role in fostering a supportive
environment for trade that will unlock this potential and provide opportunities for
American companies. This report sets a strong course and empowers and commits
the TPCC agencies to follow through.
George W. Bush
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