During the first half of 2007 alone, the Twin Ports exported more than $248.5 million in products and raw materials, a senior trade adviser with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce told a crowd of 60 business professionals Thursday in Duluth.
Transportation equipment accounted for $36.1 million, machinery for $35.6 million and nonmetallic mineral products for $16.8 million. Various other kinds of mining, metal manufacturing and other products made up the other $160 million.
And of that $248.5 million, Leslie Schweitzer said$171.4 million was the result, at least in part, of the North American Free Trade Agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
These NAFTA-like free trade agreements lead to more new jobs, Schweitzer said. "In most cases, America gains more jobs than it loses," she said, when free trade deals like NAFTA are approved.
She spoke at the Northern Networks Conference, sponsored by the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce.
