Answer: International trade lowers the cost and increases the variety of U.S. consumer purchases, benefits U.S. workers who make exports and those who rely on imports as key inputs, and helps fuel innovation, competition, and economic growth. The United States is the world's largest economy and the largest exporter and importer of goods and services. Trade is critical to America's prosperity - fueling economic growth, supporting good jobs at home, raising living standards and helping Americans provide for their families with affordable goods and services. Countries that are open to international trade tend to grow faster, innovate, improve productivity and provide higher income and more opportunities to their people. Open trade also benefits lower-income households by offering consumers more affordable goods and services.
