Over 95 percent of the world’s customers are living outside of the United States, holding 80 percent of the world’s purchasing power. Currently, customers in 200 countries and territories buy Missouri-made goods and services.  In order to create additional opportunity and more high-paying jobs here at home, we need to sell more American-made products and services overseas while continuing to remove barriers to American exports.

With roughly 200 countries and territories buying Missouri-made goods and services, international trade, including exports and imports, supports 706,800 Missouri jobs – that’s nearly 1 in 5 jobs! Trade related jobs are represented across the state at large and small companies, on farms, in factories, and at the headquarters of Missouri's globally engaged firms. Of Missouri's 6,008 exporters, 85 percent are small and medium sized companies with less than 500 workers.

We must knock down barriers to free trade. Free trade is an economic stimulus package for Missouri at no cost to us. Trade and investment liberalization policies save the average Missouri family of four more than $10,000 per year. I will continue to support policy that levels the playing field, puts Missouri’s businesses and industries first, and brings jobs to our borders.  The world is increasingly globalizing and we need to embrace this trend to make sure “Made in America” is regarded around the world.