Washington -
The chief executives from major corporations like IBM, Marriott and Lockheed Martin are joining President Barack Obama's export council.
The White House says Obama is adding seven new members to the council, which operates as an advisory committee on international trade.
Two major pharmaceutical executives will join: Ian Read, the CEO of Pfizer, and Kenneth Frazier, the president of Merck. The CEO of IBM, Virginia Rometty, is also joining.
Arne Sorenson, the president and CEO of Marriott, is another new member, as is Marillyn Hewson of Lockheed Martin. Other additions represent the eco-technology and electric power industries.
Obama plans to meet with the council on Thursday.
Obama in 2010 set an aggressive goal of doubling US exports by 2015 but the US now appears likely to miss that goal. - Sapa-AP