Western Hemisphere Initiatives

Summit of the Americas

In April 2009, President Obama and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk participated in the fifth Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad  with leaders of nearly all other nations in the Western Hemisphere.

The President launched a new chapter of engagement that will be sustained throughout his administration.  He reiterated areas of opportunity for new partnerships, from stimulating the economy throughout the hemisphere, to alleviating poverty, to using the hemisphere's vast resources to revolutionize energy use as we know it.

Ambassador Kirk welcomed the opportunity to meet with stakeholders from the civil society, the private sector and youth forums at the Ministerial Dialogue held in Port of Spain to discuss the Summit.  The USTR applauded their commitment to increasing economic opportunities and investing in youth as the future of the region.

Port of Spain Declaration of Commitment
Port of Spain Chairman's Statement