"World Trade Week celebrates trade as an economic and social engine for progress with a special focus on the services sector -- the largest sector in the private economy, providing more than 85 million jobs. These service sector jobs involve a wide range of industries, including banking and insurance, travel, entertainment, telecommunications, energy, and environmental services. We are proud that the United States is the world's top producer and exporter of services, exporting some $300 billion worth a year."

GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, World Trade Week 2001 Proclamation

"Services trade is the unsung hero of our  trade balance. World-wide, the U.S. trade deficit is set to surpass $450 billion. But while the gap in merchandise trade keeps growing, some economists see indications that the trend won't last the decade.  The reason: the growing U.S. trade in services, which now tops $250 billion annually and runs a surplus of $80 billion.  Both numbers, say economists, are poised to explode over the next 10 years."

Robert Litan, Director, Economic Series, Brookings Institution -Wall Street Journal December 4, 2000