Also, check out:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703428604575418680197041878.html
Interesting fact from the WSJ article ("In Toledo, the 'Glass City,' New Label: Made in China")
"China makes 45% of the world's glass, but it consumes virtually all of that amount. Every 15 minutes, its production is enough to clad a 100-story skyscraper".
A factor hindering US exports are the highly restrictive export controls (regulations that restrict sales of particular goods abroad for national security reasons). You cannot expect US companies to increase their exports significantly if they are not allowed to sell goods that foreigners actually want to buy.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575454313481209990.html
IMD’s THE WORLD COMPETITIVENESS SCOREBOARD 2010