On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross honored 32 U.S companies and organizations with the President’s “E” Award. Secretary Ross stated:

“Job creation is a top priority for the Trump administration. As we kick off World Trade Week, it is a pleasure to honor these companies who increase our domestic exports and create good paying jobs for the American people.”

The recognition is well-deserved. The organizations show the benefits of engaging in the global economy as opposed to shrinking from it. Yet this is World Trade Week – not just World Export Week – and imports support millions of American jobs too. So we propose the creation of a President’s “I” Award to honor companies whose imports create good paying, American jobs.

Who should be honored with an inaugural President’s “I” Award? We humbly submit the following companies using the GSP program for consideration:

  • MS International in Orange, California: The family-owned business doubled its domestic capex and created 280 new jobs (+30%) between August 2015 and December 2016. Like the GSP benefits, the hiring spree has continued in 2017.
  • Xpres LLC in Winston-Salem, North Carolina: When import tariffs went up, this small business had to delay key investments and rely upon temporary workers. Since GSP was renewed and tariffs reduced, it has hired 17 full-time employees (+64%) and started providing employees with new benefits.
  • Thompson Traders in Greensboro, North Carolina: After seven years of hard work to “break even” in 2013, this start-up had to lay off 8 of 20 employees because GSP expired and tariffs went up. With GSP back in place, it has hired 13 new workers (+108%) and initiated a program to try to manufacture in the United States.
  • Univeral Arquati in Santa Clarita, California: The small business froze hiring and investments when U.S. tariffs increased and its products became lost competitiveness to similar Chinese imports. With GSP renewed, it has created 12 new jobs (+19%) and made additional investments to increase future growth opportunities.
  • Kona Bicycle in Ferndale, Washington: The small business put development of new models – and their associated jobs – on hold when U.S. tariffs on its imports increased. Since duty-free benefits resumed, Kona has hired 9 new workers (+33%): 5 in product development and sales (reported at the link) and 4 more at a new showroom in Bellingham, Washington (not reported previously).
  • PolySource LLC in Independence, Missouri: A supplier of thermoplastic resins and compounds to American manufacturers of global consumer goods (e.g., autos, aerospace products), the small business delayed 2 new hires as a result of new tariffs. PolySource created 5 new jobs (+45%) in the year after GSP renewal eliminated tariffs.
  • B&C Technologies in Panama City Beach, Florida: The small business is in its fifth facility – each bigger than the last – in the last 14 years. Yet GSP expiration prevented it from completing required renovations. Since GSP renewal, B&C has hired 3 new workers (+11%) and hopes to hire at least 5 more soon.

If your company has a similar story, leave it in the comment section below or contact Dan Anthony from the Coalition for GSP.