Jim McNerney, selected to chair the President's Export Council

President Obama's remarks last week on the National Export Initiative and the agenda for export control modernization together signal his commitment to protect our national security while strengthening U.S. exports. In today's intensely competitive global economy, American economic leadership is increasingly at risk.

AIA is pleased that Jim McNerney, President and CEO of The Boeing Company, has been selected to chair the President's Export Council. The aerospace industry accounts for the largest trade surplus of any manufacturing sector in the United States and directly employs more than 600,000 workers. From small supplier companies to our large multinational corporations, our industry enhances American trade competitiveness around the globe.

Expansion of Export-Import Bank activity is particularly crucial to the entire U.S. civil aviation supply chain, as the vast majority of our products are sold into overseas markets.

Meanwhile, the Administration's priorities for export control modernization include a measure to reconcile different standards regarding classification of "dual national" importers by place of birth or current citizenship. Developing a new standard that maintains the highest focus on security while allowing for critical trade and technical cooperation with our closest allies is a long-standing priority for the aerospace industry.

The Administration's National Export Initiative and commitment to modernize our export control system clearly demonstrate the President's interest in supporting the U.S. aerospace and defense industry. AIA looks forward to working with the Administration to support these initiatives.

SOURCE Aerospace Industries Association