New Export Act Aims to Triple U.S. Goods to Africa and Latin America in 10 Years: What It Means for American Jobs

This bill, officially titled the "Increasing American Jobs Through Greater United States Exports to Africa and Latin America Act of 2025," sets an extremely ambitious goal: increasing U.S. exports of goods and services to Africa and Latin America/Caribbean by a massive 200 percent in real dollar value over the next ten years. To hit this target, the President is required to develop a comprehensive strategy for investment, trade, and development across these regions, submitting the final plan to Congress within 200 days of the bill becoming law. This isn't just a memo; it’s a detailed, government-wide plan designed to unlock new markets for American businesses and, in theory, create more jobs back home.

The 200% Challenge: Who’s Steering the Ship?

Achieving a 200% increase in exports is a huge lift, and the bill outlines exactly who is responsible for trying to make it happen. The Secretary of Commerce is tasked with appointing two new heavy hitters: a Special Africa Export Strategy Coordinator and a Special Latin America and the Caribbean Export Strategy Coordinator. Think of these people as the dedicated project managers for this massive trade push. Their job involves coordinating efforts across the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee, the State Department, the Export-Import Bank, and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). This is a big deal because it forces all these agencies—which often operate in their own silos—to work from the same playbook to support U.S. exporters.

For the average American worker, this means if you work in manufacturing, tech, agriculture, or services that sell internationally, the government is about to put significant resources into finding new customers for your products in two massive, growing markets. For example, a small software company in the Midwest currently exporting to Europe might suddenly find the Commerce Department’s new coordinators helping them navigate regulatory hurdles to secure a contract in West Africa, essentially expanding their customer base dramatically.

Putting Boots on the Ground and Training the Team

The bill recognizes that you can’t just send a strategy document overseas; you need people who know how to execute it. First, the bill mandates that the Secretary of Commerce and other trade officials conduct joint trade missions to Africa and Latin America/Caribbean within one year. These missions aren’t just photo ops; they’re designed to connect U.S. businesses directly with foreign buyers and governments.

Second, and perhaps more important for long-term consistency, the bill requires standardized training for all U.S. economic officers stationed overseas—from the Commercial Service to the State Department and USAID. This training must cover the nuts and bolts of key financial tools like the Export-Import Bank and the DFC. The goal is simple: no matter where a U.S. business lands, the local embassy staff should be able to clearly explain how American financing and development tools can help close a deal. This cuts through the bureaucratic confusion that often plagues international business, making it easier for U.S. companies to compete.

The Fine Print: Balancing Trade and Development

While the primary focus is on boosting U.S. exports, the bill includes a crucial clause that acknowledges the real-world impact on the buying countries. The strategy must ensure that promoting U.S. exports also helps stabilize economic growth, improves secure supply chains, and creates jobs in the countries buying our goods, rather than causing economic disruption there. This is a smart check on pure export-at-any-cost policies. For instance, if the U.S. is exporting subsidized agricultural goods, the coordinators must ensure that this doesn't accidentally crush local farmers in the recipient country. This provision attempts to balance the needs of American exporters with the necessity of sustainable, long-term trade relationships, suggesting a more ethical approach to market expansion.