Top News
Secretary Gutierrez Discusses Free Trade Agreement, Cuba, in Interactive Online Forum
Washington (March 13)—In an interactive “Ask the White House” forum, Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez discussed the pending U.S.-Columbia Trade Promotion Agreement and America’s support for the Cuban people. “The world is not standing still…this agreement with Colombia is a bellwether for the direction our country will be going in,” he said. Gutierrez is co-chair of the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba along with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. (More)
Gutierrez Highlights Department’s Role in American Competitiveness
Washington (March 13)—Appearing before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez highlighted the broad range of important issues in which the Department of Commerce is engaged. “Over the next year, the Department will continue to focus on American competitiveness, measuring American life, growing American exports and protecting America’s environment.” (Testimony)
Coolest Winter Since 2001 for U.S., Globe
Washington (March 13)—Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that the average temperature across both the contiguous U.S. and the globe during climatological winter (December 2007-February 2008) was the coolest since 2001, according to scientists at NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. In terms of winter precipitation, Pacific storms, bringing heavy precipitation to large parts of the West, produced high snowpack that will provide welcome runoff this spring. (More)
File Photo
President Bush Urges Passage of U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Washington (March 12)—President George W. Bush made remarks to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and urged Congress to pass trade agreements, particularly the U.S. Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement that advances the economic and national security interests of the United States and shows the Colombian people that democracy and free enterprise lead to a better life. (Remarks) (Fact Sheet)
Secretary Gutierrez Praises 2008 Momentum in Export Success
Washington (March 11)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today issued a statement on the release of the January 2008 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report by the Department’s Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis: “Last year we exported $1.6 trillion in goods and services, making America the number one exporter in the world. The time is ripe for our businesses, ranchers and workers to expand markets to seize maximum exporting potential for our American goods.” (More) (Fact Sheet)
International Trade Administration Releases Video Presentation on the Benefits of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Washington (March 11)—In a video released by the International Trade Administration, Under Secretary for International Trade Christopher Padilla highlights the benefits of the pending free trade agreement between the United States and Colombia. Padilla uses a grocery bag full of U.S. and Colombian products to demonstrate the economic benefits of the trade agreement, and the need to level the playing field for American farmers, businesses and workers. (Video Release) (Transcript)
EDA Photo
EDA Assistant Secretary Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony for Specialty Auto Parts Manufacturer
DeLand, Fla. (March 10)—Economic Development Administration (EDA) Assistant Secretary Sandy Baruah (far right) joined U.S. Representative John Mica (center) in a groundbreaking ceremony for specialty auto parts manufacturer BBK Performance, Inc.’s Volusia County production and distribution facility. An FY 2004 EDA investment in the State of Florida Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development helped this organization invest in regions throughout Florida that were impacted by Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie. (More)
Gutierrez Announces Record Tourism in 2007
Washington (March 10)—In remarks to the National League of Cities, Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez announced that 2007 set an all time record for international tourism, with visitors pumping $122 billion into the U.S. economy from over 56 million international visitors supporting 8.5 million American jobs. "This is yet another record-breaking year for the US travel and tourism industry and another year in which it produced a healthy trade surplus," Gutierrez said. (Remarks) (Press Release) (Tourism Fact Sheet)
NOAA Photo
NOAA Launches Final Two Buoys Completing U.S. Tsunami Warning System
Washington (March 10)—The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) deployed the final two tsunami detection buoys in the South Pacific, completing the buoy network and bolstering the U.S. tsunami warning system. This vast network of 39 stations provides coastal communities in the Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico with faster and more accurate tsunami warnings. (More)
NOAA Photo
Hurricane Forecasters Bring Preparedness Message to Caribbean and Mexico
Washington (March 10)—The Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Air Force Reserve will host a series of public events the week of March 23rd in five coastal communities in Mexico and the Caribbean to urge residents to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. The public is invited to meet with National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read and tour the Air Force Reserve Command’s WC-130J “hurricane hunter” aircraft. (More)