Washington Council on International Trade
A CREDIBLE AND INDEPENDENT VOICE
WCIT is the primary information resource on international trade issues for Washington State
Trade Matters:
10 Things You Need to Know About Washington State and Trade
We often hear that Washington is the most trade dependent state in the nation. But what does that mean?
- Washington exports set a new record in 2008 by growing to $66.8 billion, a $13.8 billion increase since 2006
- Washington is ranked fourth among total exports behind Texas, California, and New York.(1)
- In 2007, 23% of Washington’s Gross State Product (GSP) was exported abroad.
- While Washington represents only 2% of the nation's population, its ports handle 8% of all U.S. exports and receives a 6% share of the nation's imports.(2)
- Washington’s two largest ports, Seattle and Tacoma, handled $73.5 billion in two way trade in 2008.(3)
- There are 75 ports in Washington, collectively employing more than 110,000 workers spread across two major sites in Seattle and Tacoma and smaller specialized ports in Bellingham, Everett, and Vancouver.
- In 2007 Washington exported $10,226 per capita, almost 3 times the national average of $3,812.
- Approximately one in three jobs in Washington are tied to foreign exports, and the pay for these jobs is about 46% more than the overall state average.(4)
- Products shipped through Washington State reach more than 200 countries worldwide.
- Export markets are crucial to Washington State’s farmers and ranchers. One-third of Washington-grown products are shipped overseas. In 2008, Washington agricultural exports reached $14.8 billion, an increase of 60% percent over 2007, and 116% higher than 2006!(5)
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(1) Washington State Office of Financial Management
(2)Washington Public Ports Association
(3)Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma
(4)Washington Public Ports Association
(5)Washington State Department of Agriculture
President’s 2009 Trade Policy Agenda and 2008 Annual Report of the President of the United States on the Trade Agreements Program
These documents have been released by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Highlights of 2009 Agenda, “Making Trade Work for American Families”, include:
- Promotion of adherence to the rules based international trading system, with introduction of new concepts, including increased transparency and broader participation in the debate
- Developing a plan of action to address pending free trade agreements (FTAs). The Administration hopes to move on Panama quickly, and establish benchmarks for progress on Colombia and South Korean FTAs
- Making trade an important policy tool for achieving progress on national energy and environmental goals
- Assuring that trade agreements are addressing the major unresolved uses that are responsible for trade frictions
- Building on existing FTAs and Bilateral Investment Treaties in a responsible and transparent manner
- Upholding U.S. commitments to be a strong partner to developing countries, especially the poorest developing countries
Recent Trade Headlines
►China to Appeal WTO Ruling on Book, Movie Imports
Associated Press, August 17, 2009
►Doha Deal Could Boost World GDP $300-700 Billion: Study
Reuters, August 16, 2009
►WTO Ruling Could Further Open Up China to U.S. Entertainment Industry
Washingto Post, August 13, 2009
►Buying American Puts Strain on U.S. Trade with Canada
Washington Post, August 11, 2009
►U.S. Commerce Secretary: May Add New Labor Measures to Colombia Trade Deal
Wall Street Journal, August 10, 2009
►To the North, Grumbling Over Trade
New York Times, August 8, 2009
Recent Op-Eds & Editorials
►Business Needs to Speak Up on Trade
Scott Davis, The Wall Street Journal, July 16, 2009
►Rich Nations Must Act on Free Trade
William Rhodes, The Financial Times, July 7, 2009
►Free Trade Could Help Lift Us Out of Current Economic Mire
Rep. Dave Reichert (WA-08), The News Tribune, June 25, 2009
►Trade Agreements Needed as Critical Economic Boost
Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-03),
Omaha World Herald, June 21, 200
►The Peril of Buy American
The New York Times, June 3, 2009