February 04, 2010
Commerce secy to detail push to double exports
The Associated PressThe White House wants to double exports within five years, and on Thursday Commerce Secretary Gary Locke will outline how that's going to happen.
Locke will tell a National Press Club audience the National Export Initiative will expand trade advocacy, improve access to credit especially for small and medium-sized businesses and step-up enforcement of international trade laws.
In his State of the Union message, President Barack Obama announced the five-year push, saying the initiative would support 2 million jobs. Republicans applauded the effort.
Although experts say Obama's goal is achievable, the creation of jobs — an issue that some analysts believe contributed to the Democrats' Senate election loss in Massachusetts — is not as certain.