Export Nation: U.S. Metros and National Export Growth

As job growth continues to lag behind the economic recovery, new policies should emphasize innovative directions to rebalance the U.S. economy away from excessive consumption and toward exports, innovation and production.

On Tuesday, July 27, the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings unveiled “Export Nation: How U.S. Metros Lead National Export Growth and Boost Competitiveness.” This report demonstrates the key role exports can play in stimulating and rebalancing our national economy through our 100 largest metropolitan areas, and concludes with a list of broad policy recommendations for increasing U.S. exports. What do our nation’s metros sell abroad and what are some of our critical exporting firms? What countries do our metro regions trade with? How many jobs in each metro area are in export-related industries?

Bruce Katz, vice president and director of the Metropolitan Policy Program, opened the session with James Rubin of BC Partners. Chrystia Freeland, global editor-at-large for Reuters, moderated a panel discussion focused on strategies that businesses, as well as federal and local governments, should employ to advance a national export initiative.

Watch Bruce Katz’s complete presentation »