Tentative Global Trade Turnaround?

World trade is beginning to pick up. But the turnaround seems to be tentative unless we make a concerted effort to export or import more.

In the U.S., the Commerce Department said Friday that the dollar value of exports, which surged in July, rose another 0.2% in August. That put exports at their highest level since December, but still 21% below year-ago levels. Lower oil imports reduced imports by 0.6%, narrowing the trade deficit to $30.7 billion after four months of widening.

Read more at "Trade Upturn Hints at a Recovery."

And check out the World Economic Outlook (October 2009) or IMF Data Mapper here.

Illustration: IMF World Economic Outlook (WSJ)

Let's Work Together to Invigorate SMB Exports!

Who stands the best chance at boosting American exports? Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

'Every team within our building will be involved in this effort to determine what we can do now to make our trade policies more effective in helping small and medium-sized businesses, as we are in assisting ... multinational corporations,' U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk told reporters.

Read more here.

Understanding the Potential of Global Trade for Small Businesses

Robust Trade and Investment Between the U.S.A. and U.A.E.

Growth of robust trade between the United States and powerhouse U.A.E. is reflected here (scan to Trade), "The U.S.-U.A.E. Trade and Investment Relationship: 2009" (PDF), and prepared March 2009 by Professor Michael O. Moore, Director, Institute for International Economic Policy, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University.

The U.A.E. is the largest export market for the United States in the Middle East. ~ U.S. Census Bureau

More information can be found at the US-UAE Business Council.