The United States Bureau of the Census tracks foreign trade statistics. Visit the site at www.census.gov/foreign-trade and find the most recent versions of the “Profile of U.S.

Exporting Companies” report by entering this title in the search engine. Peruse the report and address the following questions:

(a) What types of firms export from the United States? That is, what is the breakdown by company type of U.S. exporters? For example, are the exporters mainly large or small firms? Do they operate mainly in the manufacturing, agricultural, or services sectors?

(b) What is the role of small and medium-sized exporters in U.S. trade? What percent of U.S. exporters are these types of firms, and for what proportion of total exports do they account?

(c) What countries are the three favorite targets of U.S. exporters?

According to the report, what factors make these countries the top markets for U.S. firms?

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