“Today the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) released a new report requested by United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk. The report, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Characteristics and Performance, shows that by exporting indirectly through wholesalers and as producers of intermediate inputs, U.S. small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a larger role in the export economy than is suggested by traditional trade statistics…The USITC’s third report about SMEs examines the export performance of U.S. companies engaged in manufacturing, distribution, and services, and identifies trade barriers that disproportionately affect SME export performance. The report also analyzes new data sets for the first time to examine the performance of U.S. SME services firms. The USITC found that SME exporters of services generated more revenue per firm and grew faster than non-exporting services firms.”