Presidential Documents

22085 

Federal Register 

Vol. 74, No. 89 

Monday, May 11, 2009 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 8373 of May 6, 2009 

World Trade Week, 2009 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

When the world’s consumers fly in a U.S.-manufactured airplane, eat a 

steak from America’s heartland, watch a Hollywood movie, or visit the 

Grand Canyon, they are helping to create and maintain good jobs for Americans. 

World Trade Week is an opportunity to reaffirm the benefits of trade and 

to emphasize America’s commitment to a global marketplace that creates 

good jobs and lifts up American families. The United States and our trading 

partners stand to gain when trade is open, transparent, rules-based, and 

fair, showing respect for labor and environmental standards. 

The United States is well-positioned to reap the benefits of trade. America 

is a leader in the global marketplace and ranks at the top of almost every 

measure of global competitiveness. Our businesses, workers, and farmers 

remain the most innovative, productive, and adaptable in the world. The 

United States is also the world’s largest exporter. 

Trade is a significant and increasingly important contributor to U.S. economic 

growth. Exports accounted for 13 percent of U.S. economic activity in 2008, 

and they support millions of jobs in the United States. In difficult economic 

times, it is even more important for American industry to take advantage 

of every opportunity for export-driven growth. That is why I will work 

to open more markets to U.S. exports, including in such important job 

growth industries as energy efficiency, clean energy, and health information 

technology. 

Imports can also benefit the United States by increasing consumer choice 

while lowering prices for millions of working families. In addition, imports 

can support employment for retailers, distributors, the transportation sector, 

and domestic manufacturers which rely on global supply chains to make 

products for both the U.S. and international markets. 

We must ensure that the benefits of trade are spread more widely. This 

can be achieved by training and supporting Americans and ensuring that 

trade agreements provide the economic opportunities that Americans deserve. 

Workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own deserve the 

chance to be retrained for a new economic environment. That is one of 

the reasons I signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 

(ARRA), which improves Trade Adjustment Assistance to help families that 

are struggling now. For the long term, the ARRA also invests in an education 

system that will prepare our children to compete and succeed in the global 

economy. 

We will negotiate future trade agreements to create opportunities for all 

Americans. My Administration is committed to building on existing trade 

agreements and bilateral investment treaties in an open and transparent 

manner. In consultation with the American people, the Congress, key stakeholders, and our trading partners, I am developing a plan of action for 

pending free trade agreements. I will also work with our trading partners 

to advance a strong market-opening agreement for agriculture, industrial 

goods, and services through the Doha Development Round and through 

22086 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 89 / Monday, May 11, 2009 / Presidential Documents 

other negotiations. Together, we can build a trading regime that spreads 

its benefits among Americans and also benefits workers in our partner countries. 

Transparency and inclusiveness are central principles we must adhere to 

as we seek to expand trade. When trade agreements are negotiated in consultation with the American people, the benefits of trade can be understood 

more broadly. Through open dialogue, the concerns of American and foreign 

workers can be addressed and the environmental consequences of trade 

agreements can be identified and mitigated. 

With a transparent, free, and fair framework, we can make trade a powerful 

contributor to the revival of the U.S. and global economies. 

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 17 through 

May 23, 2009, as World Trade Week. I encourage all Americans to observe 

this week with events, trade shows, and educational programs that celebrate 

the benefits of trade to our Nation and the global economy. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of 

May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence 

of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third. 

[FR Doc. E9–11123 

Filed 5–8–09; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3195–W9–P 


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