U.S. Department of Commerce
07/26/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/26/2021 10:25
Secretary Raimondo Lauds Renewed Commitment to Attract International Students and Bolster U.S. Education Exports
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo issued a statement on today's release of a new Joint Statement of Principles in Support of International Education, which aims to increase the competitiveness of the U.S. education industry and attract more international students to educational institutions across the country. The announcement was made at the EducationUSA Forum by Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken and Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona.
'For generations, the United States has proudly served as the premier destination for international students to pursue degrees, obtain world-class workforce training, and make meaningful contributions to our communities and the nation's economy. These students' dreams and successes would not be possible without the unwavering support of a robust U.S. education industry-colleges and universities, public and private schools, and local programs all underpinned by education products, service providers and technologies made in America.
'The Department of Commerce is proud to support the competitiveness of our education sector, which in 2020 ranked as the sixth largest U.S. service export at $39 billion, a $32.3 billion trade surplus benefiting our economy. Educational service exports are generated when international students pay for tuition, housing, books, and other fees, to study in the United States. NAFSA estimates that international students studying at U.S. colleges and universities supported nearly 416,000 jobs during the 2019-2020 academic year.
'Through the Department's International Trade Administration, we promote the U.S. education sector by providing public and private organizations with the tools and platforms they need to attract the some of the best and the brightest minds to the United States. We facilitate trade promotion programs, provide market analysis, and compile data that help states and the education sector address challenges faced by increased global competition. We also engage in commercial diplomacy and advocacy to assist institutions with market entry and to achieve business wins.
'I thank the teams at the Departments of State, Education, Homeland Security and Commerce who contributed to this policy framework, which will better position the United States to welcome the next generation of international students.'