Commerce secy to detail push to double exports

(AP) — The White House wants to double exports within five years, and on Thursday Commerce Secretary Gary Locke will outline how that's going to happen.

Locke will tell a National Press Club audience the National Export Initiative will expand trade advocacy, improve access to credit especially for small and medium-sized businesses and step-up enforcement of international trade laws.

In his State of the Union message, President Barack Obama announced the five-year push, saying the initiative would support 2 million jobs. Republicans applauded the effort.

Although experts say Obama's goal is achievable, the creation of jobs — an issue that some analysts believe contributed to the Democrats' Senate election loss in Massachusetts — is not as certain.