(PTI): The US President pledges to double exports over the next five years to help create jobs, announcing new export goals during his State of the Union Address.

“We will double our exports over the next five years, an increase that will support 2 million jobs in America,” Obama said Wednesday during his first State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress.

Obama said also he wanted improved trade ties with Panama, Colombia and South Korea but stopped short of urging Congress to pass free trade treaties with those countries.

“If America sits on the sidelines while other nations sign trade deals,” Obama said, “we will lose the chance to create jobs on our shores.”

In his address, Obama also announced an initiative to help farmers and small businesses increase their exports to meet the goals.