US Exports Strong

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(1) Neal E Boudette, Car Makrs Turn to US Plants; Favorable exchange rates, affordable labor attract Toyota, Honda and other foreign manufacturers. Wall Street Journal, Jan 26, 2012.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB ... 83232490039626.html

Quote:

(a) "Not so long ago, the US was considered a high-cost place for making automobiles.

"But helped by favorable foreign exchange rates, and an ample supply of affordable labor, the US has emerged as a surprisingly competitive producer of cars and trucks, and a favored location for making vehicles to be exported to markets around the world—especially for Japan's big three auto makers.

"Toyota Motor Corp, Honda Motor Co and Nissan Motor Co are ramping up capacity in their U.S. plants with the intention of shipping U.S.-made models to Europe, Korea, the Middle East and other parts of the world. This comes as all three are seeking relief from the strong yen

(b) German auto makers, which are hindered by the euro's strength against the dollar, are moving in the same direction.Volkswagen AG just opened a new plant in Tennessee and is considering a second to produce Audi vehicles. BMW AG  is expanding its plant in South Carolina, which already exports to markets world-wide, while Daimler AG'S Mercedes-Benz unit is considering adding a second US plant to one it already has in Alamama.

(2) Annie Lowrey, Obama Vow on Exports Is on Track, With Help
New York Times, Jan 21, 2012.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/2 ... ;scp=3&sq=Annie Lowrey obama&st=cse

Quote:

"Growing exports have been one of the central drivers of the recovery, accounting for about half the nation’s economic growth since the recession ended. Economists say the administration deserves credit for some of the gains.

"Exports are running at about $180 billion a month, according to Commerce Department data, up from $140 billion a month two years ago. They are currently growing at an annual pace of about 16 percent — a percentage-point higher than necessary to double exports to $3.1 trillion by 2015.

"Exports are running at about $180 billion a month, according to Commerce Department data, up from $140 billion a month two years ago. They are currently growing at an annual pace of about 16 percent — a percentage-point higher than necessary to double exports to $3.1 trillion by 2015.

(3) Remarks by the President in State of the Union Address. White House, Jan 24, 2012.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-pr ... state-union-address

Quote (the four instances Pres Obama mentioned China):

(a) "What’s happening in Detroit can happen in other industries.  It can happen in Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Raleigh.  We can’t bring every job back that’s left our shore.  But right now, it’s getting more expensive to do business in places like China.  Meanwhile, America is more productive.  

(b) "I will go anywhere in the world to open new markets for American products.  And I will not stand by when our competitors don’t play by the rules.  We’ve brought trade cases against China at nearly twice the rate as the last administration –- and it’s made a difference.  (Applause.)  Over a thousand Americans are working today because we stopped a surge in Chinese tires.  But we need to do more.  It’s not right when another country lets our movies, music, and software be pirated.  It’s not fair when foreign manufacturers have a leg up on ours only because they’re heavily subsidized.

"Tonight, I’m announcing the creation of a Trade Enforcement Unit that will be charged with investigating unfair trading practices in countries like China.  (Applause.)

(c) Our experience with shale gas, our experience with natural gas, shows us that the payoffs on these public investments don’t always come right away.  Some technologies don’t pan out; some companies fail.  But I will not walk away from the promise of clean energy.  I will not walk away from workers like Bryan.  (Applause.)  I will not cede the wind or solar or battery industry to China or Germany because we refuse to make the same commitment here.