[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 89 (Monday, May 11, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 22085-22086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-11123]


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Part XXII





The President





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Proclamation 8373--World Trade Week, 2009



Proclamation 8374--National Day of Prayer, 2009
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 89 / Monday, May 11, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 8373 of May 6, 2009

                
World Trade Week, 2009

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                When the world's consumers fly in a U.S.-manufactured 
                airplane, eat a steak from America's heartland, watch a 
                Hollywood movie, or visit the Grand Canyon, they are 
                helping to create and maintain good jobs for Americans.

                World Trade Week is an opportunity to reaffirm the 
                benefits of trade and to emphasize America's commitment 
                to a global marketplace that creates good jobs and 
                lifts up American families. The United States and our 
                trading partners stand to gain when trade is open, 
                transparent, rules-based, and fair, showing respect for 
                labor and environmental standards.

                The United States is well-positioned to reap the 
                benefits of trade. America is a leader in the global 
                marketplace and ranks at the top of almost every 
                measure of global competitiveness. Our businesses, 
                workers, and farmers remain the most innovative, 
                productive, and adaptable in the world. The United 
                States is also the world's largest exporter.

                Trade is a significant and increasingly important 
                contributor to U.S. economic growth. Exports accounted 
                for 13 percent of U.S. economic activity in 2008, and 
                they support millions of jobs in the United States. In 
                difficult economic times, it is even more important for 
                American industry to take advantage of every 
                opportunity for export-driven growth. That is why I 
                will work to open more markets to U.S. exports, 
                including in such important job growth industries as 
                energy efficiency, clean energy, and health information 
                technology.

                Imports can also benefit the United States by 
                increasing consumer choice while lowering prices for 
                millions of working families. In addition, imports can 
                support employment for retailers, distributors, the 
                transportation sector, and domestic manufacturers which 
                rely on global supply chains to make products for both 
                the U.S. and international markets.

                We must ensure that the benefits of trade are spread 
                more widely. This can be achieved by training and 
                supporting Americans and ensuring that trade agreements 
                provide the economic opportunities that Americans 
                deserve. Workers who lose their jobs through no fault 
                of their own deserve the chance to be retrained for a 
                new economic environment. That is one of the reasons I 
                signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 
                2009 (ARRA), which improves Trade Adjustment Assistance 
                to help families that are struggling now. For the long 
                term, the ARRA also invests in an education system that 
                will prepare our children to compete and succeed in the 
                global economy.

                We will negotiate future trade agreements to create 
                opportunities for all Americans. My Administration is 
                committed to building on existing trade agreements and 
                bilateral investment treaties in an open and 
                transparent manner. In consultation with the American 
                people, the Congress, key stakeholders, and our trading 
                partners, I am developing a plan of action for pending 
                free trade agreements. I will also work with our 
                trading partners to advance a strong market-opening 
                agreement for agriculture, industrial goods, and 
                services through the Doha Development Round and through

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                other negotiations. Together, we can build a trading 
                regime that spreads its benefits among Americans and 
                also benefits workers in our partner countries.

                Transparency and inclusiveness are central principles 
                we must adhere to as we seek to expand trade. When 
                trade agreements are negotiated in consultation with 
                the American people, the benefits of trade can be 
                understood more broadly. Through open dialogue, the 
                concerns of American and foreign workers can be 
                addressed and the environmental consequences of trade 
                agreements can be identified and mitigated.

                With a transparent, free, and fair framework, we can 
                make trade a powerful contributor to the revival of the 
                U.S. and global economies.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim May 17 through May 
                23, 2009, as World Trade Week. I encourage all 
                Americans to observe this week with events, trade 
                shows, and educational programs that celebrate the 
                benefits of trade to our Nation and the global economy.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand 
                nine, and of the Independence of the United States of 
                America the two hundred and thirty-third.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-11123
Filed 5-8-09; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P