The negative sentiment towards free trade is misguided. Across the nation, international trade supports high paying jobs for millions of Americans.
As seen below, international trade is directly linked to millions of jobs across all 50 states. In 46 of the 50 states, trade-related jobs account for more than one-quarter of ALL jobs. In total, more than 1 in 5 jobs, or close to 41 million are reliant on trade. These workers earn 15-20 percent more than jobs in industries not tied to trade.
Hawaii has the largest percentage of jobs tied to trade, with 32.31 percent of all state jobs tied to trade. California has the most number of jobs tied to trade–4,869,200 jobs in the state are tied to trade.
Free trade cuts and reduces tariffs – taxes on trade – and other barriers to global commerce. Fewer barriers on American exports means less money taken by foreign governments out of the pockets of workers and business owners seeking to trade overseas. Fewer barriers on imports into the U.S. results in more competition and access to a greater range of products at lower prices for consumers across the country. Between 2009 and 2014, exports accounted for one-third of U.S. economic growth. In 2014 alone, the U.S. exported $1.6 trillion in goods and $710.6 billion in services. Not only does trade benefit workers and businesses, but it also benefits the average U.S. consumer in the form of lower prices for goods and services.
Free trade agreements have a history of success. Current U.S. FTA partners purchased 12 times more goods per capita from the United States than non-FTA partners. But the United States is falling behind other countries. The EU has agreements with over 50 countries and is the top trading partner with 80 countries, while the U.S. only has 14 free trade agreements and is the top trading partner with only 20 countries.
The fact is, trade is crucial to the livelihood of millions of Americans and promoting free trade will lead to further growth in the U.S. economy and higher paying jobs and wages for the American people.
Percentage/Number of State Jobs Tied to Trade (2015)
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|
|
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1. Hawaii |
32.31% (205,800) |
|
2. Connecticut |
30.96% (518,300) |
|
3. Florida |
30.92% (2,502,500) |
|
4. Maryland |
30.56% (812,700) |
|
5. Vermont |
30.50% (95,300) |
|
6. Montana |
30.43% (140,200) |
|
7. South Dakota |
30.37% (130,000) |
|
8. California |
30.33% (4,869,200) |
|
9. Georgia |
30.08% (1,283,800) |
|
10. Washington |
29.99% (945,700) |
|
11. Idaho |
29.97% (202,200) |
|
12. Mississippi |
29.93% (339,500) |
|
13. Missouri |
29.68% (826,700) |
|
14. Tennessee |
29.64% (857,200) |
|
15. Maine |
29.60% (180,500) |
|
16. Virginia |
29.48% (1,135,500) |
|
17. New Jersey |
29.48% (1,185,700) |
|
18. Arizona |
29.31% (772,800) |
|
19. New York |
29.30% (2,709,200) |
|
20. Nevada |
29.25% (367,800) |
|
21. Iowa |
29.21% (456,300) |
|
22. Alabama |
29.14% (567,500) |
|
23. South Carolina |
28.90% (579,300) |
|
24. Nebraska |
28.90% (290,800) |
|
25. Colorado |
28.88% (733,900) |
|
26. Arkansas |
28.83% (348,400) |
|
27. Illinois |
28.71% (1,711,100) |
|
28. Kansas |
28.64% (400,900) |
|
29. Kentucky |
28.62% (539,300) |
|
30. Pennsylvania |
28.41% (1,658,100) |
|
31. North Carolina |
28.38% (1,232,100) |
|
32. Massachusetts |
28.36% (990,700) |
|
33. Delaware |
28.30% (127,000) |
|
34. Rhode Island |
28.17% (136,500) |
|
35. Utah |
28.11% (387,200) |
|
36. Oregon |
28.02% (498,400) |
|
37. New Hampshire |
28.02% (183,900) |
|
38. Michigan |
27.99% (1,187,900) |
|
39. Louisiana |
27.81% (553,200) |
|
40. Ohio |
27.72% (1,502,600) |
|
41. Wisconsin |
27.72% (800,800) |
|
42. Minnesota |
27.61% (788,600) |
|
43. Alaska |
26.79% (90,900) |
|
44. Indiana |
26.78% (812,600) |
|
45. Texas |
26.61% (3,150,600) |
|
46. New Mexico |
26.42% (218,100) |
|
47. West Virginia |
24.48% (187,000) |
|
48. North Dakota |
24.48% (111,100) |
|
49. Wyoming |
24.35% (70,700) |
|
50. Oklahoma |
24.03% (401,000) |
Source: (Bureau of Labor Statistics, TradeBenefitsAmerica.org)