The world is often described as having a global economy. How important is international trade to the United States?

The jobs and economic growth in America depends on its trade and investment with the global market place. The export and import supports more than 39.8 million jobs, it means that each one person out of five.

The trade related jobs grew more than three times between 2004 to 2013. It exports more hundreds of billions of dollars to its customers in 234 countries outside America that consume US made goods and services. Foreign companies have invested and built facilities that employ more than 5.8 million workers. It clearly explains the importance of import and export for US economy.