Anyone who doubts that global trade is good for South Carolina should consider a recent state Department of Commerce report on our state's exporting power. In 2003, S.C. exports to foreign markets were up 22 percent over 2002, with $11.7 billion in goods produced here sold to the rest of the world.

The top 10 nations to which S.C. goods were sold: Germany, Canada, Great Britain, Mexico, Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium, China, France and Australia. Money from those nations, in other words, flowed into South Carolina, enriching companies and workers in the auto, electrical machinery, medical instruments, organic chemicals, synthetic fibers and fabrics, and wood pulp industries.

Especially impressive is the nearly 60 percent increase in automotive exports during 2003, with BMWs from the Greer plant leading the way. During 2003, the automaker produced 166,000 cars in Greer, with 55 percent of those vehicles exported to other countries, chiefly Germany.

We mention all this because of the beating globalization has taken lately, especially in the campaigns of the Democratic candidates for president. Foreign trade may be responsible for the loss of some jobs in other states, but it's healthy for South Carolina.

Indeed, the only thing wrong with Commerce's rosy export report is that too few of the products our state produces for export come from Horry and Georgetown counties and the rest of the Pee Dee region. Our local and regional economic development agencies should look more aggressively for opportunities to bring the blessings of export to our part of the state.

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