Proclamation 9449-World Trade Week, 2016
Issued 2016-05-13 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Obama issued a proclamation designating World Trade Week in 2016. This is a ceremonial observance that brings national attention to the importance of global trade for the American economy. The proclamation itself doesn't create any new laws or impose requirements on anyone—it's simply an official statement expressing the President's views on trade and its role in the economy.
The proclamation highlights that over 95 percent of potential customers for American businesses live outside U.S. borders, and notes that small businesses employ more than half of all Americans and represent 98 percent of the nation's exporters. It discusses the administration's work on trade agreements, particularly the Trans-Pacific Partnership (which involved 12 countries representing nearly 40 percent of the global economy) and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union. The proclamation also mentions the administration's efforts to enforce existing trade laws and the renewal and expansion of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, which provides job training to American workers.
This matters because it's a way for the President to draw public attention to trade policy during a designated week of observance. Like similar presidential proclamations dating back to George Washington, it represents the executive tradition of marking important issues or causes without requiring congressional approval or creating binding legal obligations.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This proclamation designates "Proclamation 9449-World Trade Week, 2016" — a ceremonial observance that brings national attention to world trade. Presidents have issued ceremonial proclamations since George Washington, and they fall squarely within the executive tradition. They do not create new law, direct federal spending, or impose legal obligations on citizens.
Ceremonial proclamations like this one are purely declaratory. They express the sentiment of the President on behalf of the nation, drawing public awareness to causes or communities. They require no congressional approval and face no constitutional challenges.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 Proclamation 9449—World Trade Week, 2016 May 13, 2016 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation The United States of America cannot afford to sit on the sidelines of the global economy. With over 95 percent of our Nation's potential customers living outside our borders, trade agreements are a vital part of our agenda for creating jobs and growing our economy—and smart trade agreements that level the playing field for American workers and businesses are a vital piece of middle-class economics. During World Trade Week, we reaffirm the importance of global trade, and we redouble our efforts to pursue trade deals that reflect American values and give our people a fair shot at success. America's small businesses employ more than half of all Americans, and they represent 98 percent of our Nation's exporters. I am committed to a trade agenda that includes strong, enforceable provisions in our agreements that help our businesses—large and small—support higher-paying jobs and ship products stamped "Made in the USA" around the world. My Administration has ramped up enforcement of our trade laws like never before. Last year, I renewed and expanded the Trade Adjustment Assistance p