Made in America makes a comeback

Thanks to the resilience of U.S. workers and businesses of all sizes, “Made in America” is making a comeback.

According to data released last week by the Department of Commerce, American businesses exported $2.35 trillion in goods and services in 2014, hitting a record high for the fifth straight year. The United States sold more to our 20 free trade partners than ever before and logged record exports to more than 50 overseas markets.

This is good news all around — for our economy, workers and wages. After all, U.S. exports have been one of the primary drivers of America’s economic resurgence, contributing one-third of our economic growth since 2009 and supporting 11.3 million jobs in 2013. With those jobs paying up to 18% more, on average, than jobs not related to exports, trade promotion has an important role to play in boosting the incomes of middle class Americans.

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CNN