Ambassador Kirk joined Maryland Secretary of Business and Economic Development Christian S. Johansson, Baltimore Port Commissioner Peta Richkus, and Executive Director of Maryland’s Port Administration James White for a trade roundtable at the World Trade Center in Baltimore today. He discussed the President’s National Export Initiative, the positive effects of exports on Maryland’s economy and Maryland’s exports to Asia and the Transpacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. TPP will be a high-standard, 21st century trade agreement that will help significantly increase U.S. exports to the robust Asia-Pacific region.
Ambassador Kirk followed up the trade roundtable with a tour of Marlin Steel Wire Products, a small business in Baltimore. Exporting to North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, Marlin Steel Wire Products is a prime example of what can be achieved by a local business through access to foreign markets. Small businesses are a vital part to the U.S. economy. In 2007, 86 percent of Maryland companies exporting were small- and medium-sized companies, employing fewer than 500 employees.
Ambassador Kirk Tours Marlin Steel Wire Products in Baltimore, Maryland
Marlin Steel Wire Products is also a part of Maryland’s manufacturing sector. In 2009, Maryland’s exports of manufactured products increased by 95 percent between 2000 and 2009 to $8.4 billion. USTR is committed to facilitating trade in the global market, creating new opportunities for small-and medium-sized businesses to export and encouraging production and investment in the United States.
