Small business stands to make even larger gains than large companies that have had a long-standing presence in China and the ability to deal directly with the government. Small business accounts for 82 percent of all U.S. exporters and 35 percent of all U.S. exports to China by value.
China represents the tenth largest export market for U.S. small businesses.
The number of small businesses that export to China increased 141 percent from 1992-1997. The interests of small business are often overshadowed by other matters in issues of national importance, such as the China trade debate. The benefits of trade for small business are reflected in the fact that small business exporters are more productive than their non-exporting counterparts, experience greater job growth, pay higher wages, and provide better benefits to their employees. Small business is playing an increasingly important role in our international trade efforts. According to a U.S. Department of Commerce report, small businesses represent 97 percent of all exporters and one-third of the dollar value of all U.S. exports.