International trade is, and will remain, a key part of our state and national economies. Last year, international trade supported more than 12 million American jobs and gave America the opportunity to export our values of freedom, justice and equality all around the globe. Our country's commitment to open and free trade has led to lower prices on everyday goods for American families. Most of my fellow governors support existing trade agreements and believe that future agreements will continue to create jobs and spread democracy. One way to do that is for the United States to extend Permanent Normal Trade Relations to the People's Republic of China.
Exports are important.
American farmers, the backbone of our great nation, benefit greatly from trade with China. It's estimated that China will account for nearly 40 percent of all future growth of U.S. agricultural products. Permanent Normal Trade Relations is extended to nearly every other country in the world. Last fall, China agreed to unilaterally open its markets to other nations, including the United States, and to play by international rules of trade. The only question now is whether the Chinese buy from the U.S. or from another country.