President Obama has announced his intention to reorganize six trade and Commerce Department agencies.

Said Scott Paul, Executive Director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM):

"This morning we saw the monthly U.S. trade deficit climb for the first time in five months.  As the U.S. manufacturing sector tries to create new jobs, some questions come to mind:

1. Will this restructuring mean that trade enforcement grows or shrinks as a priority for the Administration?
2. Does this mean a more concerted focus on lowering our trade deficit, or not?

“The real question is: What will our trade and economic policy be going forward that will address our nation's unacceptably high trade deficit, the continued loss of manufacturing jobs, and the predatory, protectionist, and illegal trade practices utilized by our trade partners?  We need a new approach, not just a continuation of the status quo.   Moving boxes and people around won't change the approach, it will only divert attention away from the real challenge-- restoring economic growth and opportunity.   Let's first get that policy right, then we can decide how best to staff it.”