May

Ambassador Kirk is in Paris, France at the OECD Ministerial today.  Watch a short video below on how USTR is working to make it "cheaper, simpler, and faster" for American small businesses to export and grow.

On Tuesday, Ambassador Kirk met with Trade Minister Mari Pangestu of Indonesia for a wide-ranging discussion of the bilateral trade relationship. They welcomed progress made in advancing the relationship between the two countries and agreed to hold the next meeting of the U.S.-Indonesia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement in the next few months in Washington, D.C.

Ambassador Kirk and Minister Pangestu

In addition, Ambassador Kirk and Minister Pangestu agreed to explore ways to expand bilateral cooperation on trade and investment issues. This includes facilitating the expanded engagement of U.S. and Indonesian business leaders in upcoming discussions.

Ambassador Kirk emphasized the importance of making progress on outstanding market access issues, including customs procedures restricting U.S. exports of movies to Indonesia. They also discussed the status of the Generalized System of Preferences program. The two ministers exchanged views on the Doha round of negotiations and on the work they were doing together in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The U.S.-Indonesia trade relationship is growing rapidly. In 2010, U.S. goods trade with Indonesia rebounded from the global economic downturn by increasing to an all-time high of $23 billion, up 30 percent from 2009. U.S. exports led the increase, up 36 percent to $6.9 billion last year, supporting well-paying jobs here at home.

This afternoon, Ambassador Kirk met with Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang under the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). The meeting provided an opportunity for a broad discussion on the two-way trade and investment relationship as well as key issues relating to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. This dialogue was the culmination of two days of technical discussions last week in Montana covering in detail the full range of issues in our bilateral trade and investment relationship.

Ambassador Kirk and Minister Hoang discussed preparations for the next round of TPP negotiations, to be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam during the week of June 20, 2011. Ambassador Kirk updated Minister Huong on the outcome of the TPP Ministerial meeting held on the margins of the APEC meetings in Big Sky last week, including the commitment of ministers to conclusion of a high-standard agreement, with ambitious market access outcomes. Minister Hoang assured Ambassador Kirk that Vietnam is committed to that objective and would work toward a strong result in all areas, including goods, services, and investment.

Ambassador Kirk and Vietnamese Minister Vu Huy Hoang

Ambassador Kirk and Minister Hoang also discussed a range of bilateral trade issues, including addressing issues related to market access into Vietnam for U.S. beef and variety meat products, efforts to enhance intellectual property rights protection in Vietnam, and progress on reforms of Vietnam’s labor laws. Minister Hoang noted Vietnam’s interest in gaining market access for additional tropical fruits.

The United States and Vietnam have developed a robust trade relationship since Vietnam’s accession to the WTO and the launch of the TIFA in 2007. U.S. goods exports to Vietnam in 2010 totaled $3.7 billion, up almost 20 percent since 2009. U.S. exports of agricultural products to Vietnam totaled $1.3 billion in 2010, up more than 40 percent over the previous year.

Ambassador Kirk hosted the APEC 2011 MRT press confernece earlier today. Watch the video below.

Kamut International was founded by farmers Bob Quinn and Mack Quinn in 1990 with a dream to provide high quality organic food by selling a unique, ancient breed of wheat called khorasan. Although generic khorasan wheat is grown throughout the world, Kamut’s Montana-grown wheat guarantees certain qualities such as being organically grown, not hybridized or genetically modified, and having high nutritional values. The family-owned company has enjoyed a lot of success from selling khorasan which is known for the guarantee of organic production and preservation of the original seed.

Kamut knows that exporting can be a key ingredient to success in today’s global economy. Global consumer demand for higher quality, organic food is a huge driver in the company’s success and continued growth. In 2010 alone, Kamut’s global wheat sales grew by 39 percent. Kamut’s wheat became popular in the European market where Italians especially love it for homemade pasta. Today, the company exports to six continents throughout the world including the Asia-Pacific region. The company also partners with businesses who directly sell KAMUT grain to their domestic markets or in the form of processed foods.

Although demand for Kamut’s unique wheat is strongest in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region is becoming a highly lucrative growth opportunity. As purchasing power increases in these consumer markets, so does demand for better food. Currently, the company exports to APEC member economies Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, and is developing relationships with new partners in Taiwan and South Korea. These new partners are interested in selling products made from the unique Montana-grown wheat.

“We are optimistic about the potential for growth of interest in KAMUT® brand khorasan wheat in the Asia-Pacific region,” shares CEO Trevor Blyth. “We are looking forward to growing our business in this market and to supporting greater exports of organic wheat from Montana.”

More demand for Kamut khorasan wheat from around the world directly supports Montana farms and jobs. Not only would Kamut International’s agricultural partners be able to support more farming jobs, the company’s expansion would also lead to the creation of jobs in customer service, marketing, and trade protection efforts to support its international partners.

USTR is working in APEC on behalf of companies like Kamut to reduce trade barriers in the Asia-Pacific region and create more American jobs.

The Asia-Pacific region offers tremendous opportunities for U.S. exporters. In a world where 95 percent of consumers reside outside our borders, APEC comprises 40 percent of the global population. Many of these dynamic economies are growing faster than the world average and together generate 56 percent of global GDP in 2010. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market in the world for U.S. exports and receives over 70 percent of U.S. agricultural exports.

Today, USTR.gov is showcasing the importance of trade with the Asia-Pacific Region for Illinois’s businesses and workers.

Illinois’s goods exports in 2010 totaled nearly $50 billion. Of Illinois’s total exports, $33 billion, or 67 percent, went to markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The top three product categories to APEC member economies exported in 2010 were machinery, transportation equipment, and chemicals. 

Goods Exports Support Jobs for Illinois Workers: Jobs supported by Illinois’s goods exports are estimated to be 360,200. One-quarter (24.7 percent) of all manufacturing workers in Illinois depend on exports for their jobs, the ninth highest share among all 50 states. Although not measured, there are also additional jobs supported by Illinois’s exports of services (2008 data are the latest available).

A total of 16,902 companies exported goods from Illinois in 2008. Of those, 15,170 (90 percent) were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with fewer than 500 employees.

Small and medium-sized firms generated 22 percent of Illinois’s total exports of merchandise in 2008. Notably, small and medium-sized firms benefit from the tariff-elimination provisions of free trade agreements. The transparency obligations, particularly those in the customs chapters, are vital to small and medium-sized firms, which may not have the resources to navigate customs and regulatory red tape.

Ambassador Kirk made opening remarks this morning at the APEC 2011 Ministers Related to Trade session.  Watch his remarks below.

As part of USTR.gov’s APEC 2011 outreach, USTR.gov spoke to American business leaders about their companies, the importance of international trade, and how trade within the Asia-Pacific region can help their organizations grow. Today’s CEO discussion is with CEO of TicketRiver, Lance Trebesch.

TicketRiver.com Benefits from Increased International Trade

“Our competitive advantage is in the very quality of our software that runs the entire e-commerce website and order e-management system. This software is the heart of our company’s intellectual property and offering – in this case, our website. The value of this offering is what the customer sees, which includes our huge inventory of online templates. Our website is popular due to the e-commerce market demand for simple, easy-to-use web interfaces.

“Increased international trade provides more market access and opportunities for our company to engage in market expansion, which diversifies our revenue streams and contribute to company growth right here in Montana.

“When we launched Ticket River Australia 18 months ago, we were excited to see just how successful our business can be in international markets. Essentially, we just leveraged our existing U.S. digital assets – e-commerce code, online template, e-commerce management system – and planted that in Australia. Expanding into Australia has allowed us to create a brand new revenue stream and business, and now we have well over 1,000 customer in the Australian market.

“Our experience expanding our business into Australia and our proven success with an international customer base is driving our expansion plans into the Asia-Pacific region.”

“In markets like Australia, we’ve effectively addressed this market of consumers largely unfamiliar with e-commerce as a medium for transactions usually obtained through brick-and-mortar service providers. When we enter a new market like Australia, our success is attributed to a very competitive offering, because of the e-ecommerce experience the customer enjoys and the quality of product they receive.

“Our intellectual property is the basis for our high quality products that we offer in our markets in the U.S. and Australia. That is why we are strong advocates of intellectually property protection and enforcement to protect our assets and keep our company competitive, especially when we enter new international markets where U.S. laws no longer have jurisdiction to protect American companies. These protections are important to us are and protect how we can deliver our competitive e-commerce experience. Business and trade friendly regulatory structures also enable TicketRiver.com to set up business in new markets faster and thus generate faster returns on our investments.”

TicketRiver is Looking for Increased Market Access Abroad

“Before we launched the Ticket River Australia site, overseas customers had to order in the U.S. and have it shipped to them. Once we launched our business in Australia, we had many customers write to us to express their joy that we’ve made their lives easier.

“One customer wrote, ‘We are so happy you expanded to Australia! We have nothing like this in our country. Your site and the ease of use of the template and your product quality are just so excellent.’

“We are proud to have delivered ticket printing and ordering in a different way for Australians and introduced them to the a new e-commerce experience in printing. We are an example of a U.S. company that has really benefited from access to markets in the Asia-Pacific region because it has allowed us to capture the opportunity to introduce a new kind of product and build a sustainable market demand for our innovation.”

The Asia-Pacific Region is a Potential Growth Market for TicketRiver.com

“Our goal is to expand to all Asia-Pacific markets one day. More market access and intellectual property protection, greater ease of market entry, and stronger regulatory business environments makes our company more agile and able to expand our operations here at home.”

“By expanding into new markets, we create new jobs here in the U.S. When we build new revenue streams from new markets like the United Kingdom and Australia, we need more manpower to support the flood of new customers and first-time transactions. This adds jobs to our customer support team in the U.S. which helps our U.K. and Australian fulfillment providers and customers in those markets.

“Expanding into new markets also requires us to constantly improve and customize our software, which creates software development jobs here in the U.S.

USTR is working hard this week to create new opportunities for U.S. exporters like TicketRiverin the Asia-Pacific Region. Be sure to follow our progress on USTR.gov.

Today is day four of USTR.gov’s profiles of American businesses that can benefit from the work of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Teltronics, Inc. is a technology manufacturer specializing in communications, alarms management and contract manufacturing. This company provides innovative solutions to enhance the performance of communications and data networks. This enables its customers to increase their revenues, decrease costs, and improve productivity.

Since Teltronics began exporting their communications and alarms management products from their corporate headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Palmetto, Florida, they have placed products in 68 countries throughout the world, including several in the Asia-Pacific region.

Teltronics provides communications equipment to governments such as Brunei Darussalam, the Navy; Army; and other organizations in Chile, hospitals in Singapore and the metro in Taipei. They have exported their alarms management products to South Korea and Okinawa, Japan for the U.S. military. While about 10 percent (and growing) of Teltronics customers are abroad, the company maintains all of their manufacturing within U.S. borders.

“While serving companies worldwide, Teltronics continues to maintain most of our manufacturing in the US , which contributes to the stability of the local economy,” says Ewen Cameron, CEO of Teltronics. “We have invested in facilities that will allow us to expand manufacturing for our existing product lines and accommodate an increase in our contract manufacturing services business.”

Business in countries of the Asia-Pacific region currently account for about 5 percent of Teltronics’ total sales. Senior Vice President of International Sales Richard Begando anticipates these numbers to increase as Teltronics continues to expand their communications product lines to include IP-based paging, intercom, and mass notification.

“The Asia-Pacific Region holds four times more business opportunity than any other region in the world for certain Teltronics products. This is where the growth is. It’s where new businesses are sprouting up and existing businesses from around the world are moving too. Many of them need communications equipment,” said Mr. Begando. “Teltronics customers, as well as the clients in our target markets, are willing to pay a premium over our competitors for the features and capabilities our products offer.”

While the demand for Teltronics’ products in the Asia-Pacific are growing at a fast pace, the company is not able to capture its full business potential in the region because of trade barriers. USTR is working to reduce trade barriers within the APEC region so that businesses can compete on a level playing field.

As Teltronics increases sales to the Asia-Pacific region, the company may need to hire more people to support the increased demand for its technology and manufacturing. Increased demands for its products will lead to the creation and support of well-paying American jobs throughout the company’s supply chain, benefiting communities and workers across the country.

The Asia-Pacific region offers tremendous opportunities for U.S. exporters. In a world where 95 percent of consumers reside outside our borders, APEC comprises 40 percent of the global population. Many of these dynamic economies are growing faster than the world average and together generate 56 percent of global GDP in 2010. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market in the world for U.S. exports and receives over 70 percent of U.S. agricultural exports.

Today, USTR.gov is showcasing the importance of trade with the Asia-Pacific Region for Michigan’s businesses and workers.

Michigan’s goods exports in 2010 totaled $44.5 billion. Of Michigan’s total exports, $35 billion, or 79 percent, went to markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The top three product categories to APEC member economies exported in 2010 were transportation equipment, machinery, and chemicals.

Jobs supported by Michigan’s goods exports are estimated to be 269,900. More than one-quarter (27.8 percent) of all manufacturing workers in Michigan depend on exports for their jobs, the fifth highest among the 50 states. Although not measured, there are also additional jobs supported by Michigan’s exports of services (2008 data are the latest available).

A total of 11,796 companies exported goods from Michigan locations in 2008. Of those, 10,651 (90 percent) were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with fewer than 500 employees.

Small and medium-sized firms generated 13 percent of Michigan’s total exports of merchandise in 2008. Notably, small and medium-sized firms benefit from the tariff-elimination provisions of free trade agreements. The transparency obligations, particularly those in the customs chapters, are vital to small and medium-sized firms, which may not have the resources to navigate customs and regulatory red tape.

As part of USTR.gov’s APEC 2011 outreach, USTR spoke to local business leaders about their companies, the importance of international trade, and how trade within the Asia-Pacific region can help their organizations grow. Today, USTR.gov talked with Spencer Williams, CEO of West Paw Design about how exporting to APEC member economies can help grow his businesses and support jobs in Montana. Watch the video below.

Today, Ambassador Kirk arrives in Big Sky, Montana for the 2011 APEC Trade Ministerial.  To kick-off the meetings, he wrote a blog post on WhiteHouse.gov regarding the importance of trade within the Asia-Pacific region for American businesses and workers.  Read the blog post below.  

Expanding Trade to the Asia-Pacific Region, Supporting American Jobs
Posted by Ambassador Ron Kirk on May 18, 2011 at 03:30 PM EDT

This year, the United States is hosting Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) annual meetings for the first time since 1993. As part of these efforts, I am leading meetings in Big Sky, Montana this week with 21 of my fellow Ministers Related to Trade. This week, we are working to advance common APEC objectives that complement President Obama’s forward-looking, export-focused trade agenda.

APEC is the premier forum for facilitating sustainable economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the region, and the Asia-Pacific region is the largest market in the world for U.S. exports. In fact, APEC economies represent nine of the top 15 export markets for U.S. goods. Over 60 percent of U.S. goods exports and 70 percent of U.S. agricultural exports in 2010 were to APEC economies.

Tomorrow, my fellow ministers and I will meet with business leaders from the United States and other APEC economies to work on concrete, practical measures that will help to level the playing field across the region. In particular, we will discuss ways to make it cheaper, faster, and easier for small businesses to trade around the region. Because if we can make it easier for exporters to enter different markets throughout the Asia-Pacific, then those businesses can grow more quickly and hire more workers here at home.

The United States is working in our APEC host year to build toward a seamless regional economy in the Asia-Pacific. To this end, we’ll discuss ways to strengthen regional economic integration and expand trade, promote green growth, and advance regulatory cooperation and convergence. Successful efforts in these areas will enhance export opportunities for U.S. businesses of all sizes in support of American jobs.

During the meetings, USTR.gov will be updated in real time to keep you fully abreast of our work. So be sure to visit our APEC 2011 page and follow us on Twitter to get the most up-to-date information on the progress of APEC meetings in Montana.

Ambassador Ron Kirk is the United States Trade Representative

Today is day three of USTR.gov’s profiles of American businesses that can benefit from the work of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

King Arthur’s Tools is a small, family-owned business that packs a big punch. Based in Tallahassee, Florida, King Arthur’s team of innovators design and export specialized chain saws and other tools.

King Arthur’s Tools provides convenience and efficiency for other businesses, supporting numerous niche markets. These markets include wood working, wood carving, wood turning, taxidermy, equine and boviine hoof trimming, musical instrument-making, log homes, remodeling homes, and the construction industry. CEO and President Arthur Aveling even invented the world’s smallest miniature chainsaw (2” diameter) to trim a horse’s hoof. This product took the equine and hoof trimming industry into the 21st century and increased King Arthur’s Tool’s market share by 400 percent.

Exporting since 1992, King Arthur’s Tools now sells its products in 53 countries and partners with distributors in 17 countries. King Arthur also partners with other U.S. manufacturers that provide supporting components. These products are shipped to King Arthur’s facilities for assembly, packaging and distribution throughout the world right from the capital of the Sunshine State.

King Arthur’s Tools is enjoying enormous and rapid success overseas with these niche markets. One area of the world that is helping to drive King Arthur’s growth is the Asia-Pacific region. King Arthur’s Tools currently export to almost all the member economies in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC): Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Canada, Chile, China, Taiwan, Peru, and Russia. These countries represent 20 to 30 percent of the company’s total export markets. The company’s CEO is a big advocate for lowering tariffs and reducing trade barriers.

“We are on the cutting edge of products that could better serve numerous markets if barriers were lowered, and it would add local jobs to the local economy of Tallahassee as well as the manufacturing plants we work with in the USA. King Arthur’s Tools is a rapidly growing company and we are justifiably proud that our products are Made in the USA,” says Mr. Aveling.

Mr. Aveling says an enhanced economic relationship between the economies of this region and the U.S. would provide a better business environment for American innovators to better serve its customers and increase exports.

“If the trade barriers were lowered we would do more business in the Asia-Pacific arena. In certain cases, we’ve had the products returned because excessive customs duties have been levied on the products when they get to the point of entry. Then we’ve had to go through many time-consuming obstacles to finally get the product to our customers. On occasion, we’ve lost business through this process. Lowering tariffs and custom duties would be of tremendous assistance to expanding our export markets, no question about that.”

Today, King Arthur’s team consists of only 14 employees, but Mr. Aveling says that the company’s sales have also created employment in supporting industries based in the United States. King Arthur’s Tools is looking forward to a stronger trade relationship between the United States and APEC member economies. Increased market access and ease of entry into markets across the Asia-Pacific region can lead to expansion of its operations in Tallahassee and hire more workers in the community.

The Asia-Pacific region offers tremendous opportunities for U.S. exporters. In a world where 95 percent of consumers reside outside our borders, APEC comprises 40 percent of the global population. Many of these dynamic economies are growing faster than the world average and together generate 56 percent of global GDP in 2010. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market in the world for U.S. exports and receives over 70 percent of U.S. agricultural exports.

Washington’s goods exports in 2010 totaled $53 billion. Of Washington’s total exports, $37 billion, or 69 percent, went to markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The top three product categories to APEC member economies exported in 2010 were transportation equipment, agriculture products, and food manufactures. Washington Exported $36.8 Billion in Goods to Asia-Pacific Countries in 2010.

Jobs supported by Washington’s goods exports are estimated to be 258,300. More than two-fifths (41.4 percent) of all manufacturing workers in Washington depend on exports for their jobs, the highest share among all 50 states. Although not measured, there are also additional jobs supported by Washington’s exports of services (2008 data are the latest available).

A total of 8,480 companies exported goods from Washington locations in 2008. Of those, 7,627 (90 percent) were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with fewer than 500 employees.

Small and medium-sized firms generated nearly one-fifth (19 percent) of Washington’s total exports of merchandise in 2008. Notably, small and medium-sized firms benefit from the tariff-elimination provisions of free trade agreements. The transparency obligations, particularly those in the customs chapters, are vital to small and medium-sized firms, which may not have the resources to navigate customs and regulatory red tape.

Today is day two of USTR.gov’s profiles of American businesses that can benefit from the work of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Alltech, Inc., is a leading innovator in the animal health and nutrition industry, based in Nicholasville, Kentucky. The company is ranked seventh among global animal health companies and is the only privately-held company in the top ten list. Alltech engineers natural scientific solutions to deal with animal health and nutrition industry challenges across all animal species. Alltech is best known for pioneering breakthrough natural yeast fermentation and enzyme technologies.

Alltech has been growing at an average annual rate of 20 to 25 percent, and attributes its business overseas to be essential to its success. Alltech’s sales expanded after entering the Chinese market in 1995, and the company has since been well aware that its growth opportunities are in the Asia-Pacific region. The growth of the Asia-Pacific region has created demands in key industries that are aligned with the core of Alltech’s business. Today, Alltech supports over 600 U.S. jobs in eight production facilities across the country.

Greater economic relationships between the U.S. and the APEC member economies can help U.S. biotechnology companies like Alltech meet the rising demand for its expertise and export its innovative solutions and products to consumers in the region.

“Without a doubt, given the size of its population, demographics, rising income levels and the affinity and desire for meat consumption, the Asia-Pacific region offers the greatest opportunity for Alltech. Rising affluence in growing proportions of the population is driving food production and consumption,” says Vice President Steve Bourne. “Our products and services can address the increasing demand for high standards in food safety by improving the performance and profitability of livestock production, which ensures economic viability and sustainability.”

As much as Alltech’s technology and expertise could help the booming agricultural industries of the increasingly dynamic Asia-Pacific economies, trade barriers can prevent the company from competing on a level playing field. Alltech is currently charged import duties in the region up to 35 percent.

“These high tariffs can lead to a significant disadvantage in pricing compared to our local competitors in the marketplace and hence the ability of our product to improve performance and profitability for the country’s own livestock industry,” explains Mr. Bourne. "Lowering tariffs in the Asia-Pacific markets on U.S.-imported goods would enable Alltech to be more financially able to continue producing its goods in the U.S. and supporting U.S. jobs.”

Increased market access and friendlier regulatory environments would increase Alltech’s ability to expand into more markets in the Asia-Pacific, impacting company growth and overall viability to be able to increase its employment in the U.S. As the company grows, it could lead Alltech to need more people in research, development, and production. The expansion in Alltech’s operations would also increase employment opportunities in supporting industries in the services sector such as technical support and consulting.

For companies like Alltech, USTR is working in APEC to create better business environments and address barriers to trade and investment across the region.

As part of USTR.gov’s APEC 2011 outreach, USTR.gov spoke to American business leaders about their companies, the importance of international trade, and how trade within the Asia-Pacific region can help their organizations grow. Today’s CEO discussion is with President and CEO of Spika Welding, Tom Spika.

Spika Welding Benefits from Increased International Trade

“Spika has become recognized as an industry leader in the field of specialized work platforms, primarily focusing on aviation maintenance support. Our products have proven their value in aviation maintenance facilities within every branch of the United States military, as well as throughout various commercial industries. We have now begun investigating and pursuing opportunities in the global marketplace, and are finding a strong need and desire for the unique equipment we offer.

“Our company is small, with less than 30 employees, and is situated in rural Montana. Primarily dependent on agriculture, Lewistown, with a population of 7,000, benefits considerably from small non- agricultural industries such as ours to diversify and strengthen its economy. With $3-4 million in annual sales, Spika's contribution of ‘outside money’ to our local economy through wages, supplies, and capital investments is important to our community and our state. If we are able to secure sales from new and active markets outside of our country's borders, the growth and success of our company will translate into additional jobs and opportunities for our community.”

Trade Barriers Can Negatively Impact Spika Welding

“Our greatest obstacles to succeeding in bringing in these sales, however, are the cost of freighting large equipment across the ocean and the regulations, duties, and other trade barriers that add cost and complexity to the sale. While transportation costs will always add significantly to the customer's cost, there is opportunity to greatly reduce or eliminate these other costs of export through implementation of more open free trade agreements and elimination of restrictive regulations and taxation.”

Spika Welding is Looking for Increased Market Access Abroad

“Spika offers unique designs and products that continue to set new standards for OSHA-compliant work platforms. Our initial findings indicate that industries in many countries, primarily within the aviation community, have not even seen products such as we offer. This demonstrates a strong desire to incorporate them into their maintenance operations.

We have already begun some initial marketing in Japan, with one $120,000 system installed there in 2011. We have established our first distributor in Tokyo who is actively marketing our products and was quite close to closing their first sales when the devastating earthquake struck, effectively tabling any anticipated sales indefinitely. While we expect sales to be stalled for the near term, we have high expectations as Japan begins to recover and rebuild.”

The Asia-Pacific Region is a Potential Market for Spika Welding

“While great opportunities for growth exist domestically for Spika, markets in numerous foreign countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, Brazil, Colombia, India, Russia, Israel, and others hold great potential for our company as well.

"Initial estimates indicate our small company could realize annual sales exceeding $1 to $1.5 million from each of those listed; considerably more in some, just from the aviation market. If we were to pursue sales into other industries, such as mining, manufacturing, and transportation, as well as oil and gas – and those numbers could increase considerably.

“It is evident that our company could grow significantly if we were to successfully develop these markets. Any reductions in restrictions and import/export duties to these countries will make our products more competitive and justifiable, translating into more opportunities for growth of our company and jobs for our community.”

USTR is working hard this week to create new opportunities for U.S. exporters like Spika Welding in the Asia-Pacific Region. Be sure to follow our progress here and check back for another CEO discussion.

The Asia-Pacific region offers tremendous opportunities for U.S. exporters. In a world where 95 percent of consumers reside outside our borders, APEC comprises 40 percent of the global population. Many of these dynamic economies are growing faster than the world average and together generate 56 percent of global GDP in 2010. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market in the world for U.S. exports and receives over 70 percent of U.S. agricultural exports.

Today, USTR.gov is showcasing the importance of trade with the Asia-Pacific Region for California’s businesses and workers.

California’s goods exports in 2010 totaled $143 billion. Of California’s total exports, $100 billion, or 70 percent, went to markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The top three product categories to APEC member economies exported in 2010 were computers and electronic products, machinery, and transportation equipment.

Jobs supported by California’s goods exports are estimated to be 821,000 in 2008. Nearly one-quarter (23.7 percent) of all manufacturing workers in California depend on manufacturing exports for their jobs. Although not measured, there are also additional jobs supported by California’s exports of services (2008 data are the latest available).

A total of 59,998 companies exported goods from California locations in 2008. Of those, 57,461 (96 percent) were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with fewer than 500 employees.

Small and medium-sized firms generated more than two-fifths (44 percent) of California’s total exports of merchandise in 2008. Notably, small and medium-sized firms benefit from the tariff-elimination provisions of free trade agreements. The transparency obligations, particularly those in the customs chapters, are vital to small and medium-sized firms, which may not have the resources to navigate customs and regulatory red tape.

As part of USTR.gov’s APEC 2011 outreach, USTR spoke to local business leaders about their companies, the importance of international trade, and how trade within the Asia-Pacific region can help their organizations grow. Today, USTR.gov talked with Barry Wood, CEO of Powr-Grip about how exporting to APEC member economies can help grow his businesses and support jobs in Montana. Watch the video below.

The work of the  Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum is important to promote trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region, and to improve economic cooperation in the region as well. Some APEC efforts include addressing non-tariff trade barriers to create a better business environment for companies like Formaspace to compete on a level playing field and reach more customers.

Formaspace is a small company based in Austin, Texas that designs and manufactures custom technical furniture, accessories, and services for professional workplaces. The company opened in 1981 as a cabinet shop and has grown into an international manufacturer, employing more than 40 local workers.

Today, Formaspace exports nearly 20 percent of their products abroad. Chief Executive Officer Jeff Turk has found that “’Made in the U.S.A.” is the world’s premier brand,” because many of Formaspace’s international customers are willing to pay a premium for its high-quality products.

“Our products are 100% made in the USA. All our raw materials are supplied within the U.S. Our steel is made here. Our wood and pulp products are made here. Our plastics are made here. We are exporting our products, so whether the company making our steel knows it or not, everyone benefits from trade,” said Mr. Turk.

However, trade barriers currently limit Formaspace’s opportunity to be more competitive abroad and expand its presence into additional international markets, including those in the highly lucrative and dynamic economies of the Asia-Pacific region, and the future success of Formaspace can really benefit from the opportunities in this region.

“Formaspace has had several sales opportunities with large multinational companies where our furniture was acknowledged to be superior in design and construction, but due to tariffs and other barriers to trade in the country, our client had to select a local provider. These barriers represent a tax on global efficiency – somewhere in the world a guy is sitting at a less than ideal workbench because we couldn’t access his market efficiently,” said Mr. Turk

The work APEC is doing can help businesses like Formaspace allows companies to sell more competitively in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, and South Korea, and to be more prepared to expand. Mr. Turk also states that Formaspace’s decisions to invest in several markets in the Asia-Pacific region depends on factors like non-tariff barriers that affect the company’s ability to compete on a level playing field with local as well as other foreign competitors.

Mr. Turk has big plans for Formaspace’s future. The company is on its way to generating almost $11 million in sales revenue with hopes to double revenue in three years. Greater economic cooperation and dialogue between the APEC member economies would lead to better business opportunities for U.S. companies to be more competitive in the region and more profitable overall. These opportunities would lead Formaspace into a more viable position in the future to invest in the expansion of operations in Austin and support more U.S. jobs.

The Asia-Pacific region offers tremendous opportunities for U.S. exporters. In a world where 95 percent of consumers reside outside our borders, APEC comprises 40 percent of the global population. Many of these dynamic economies are growing faster than the world average and together generate 56 percent of global GDP in 2010. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market in the world for U.S. exports and receives over 70 percent of U.S. agricultural exports.

Today, USTR.gov is showcasing the importance of trade with the Asia-Pacific Region for Texas’s businesses and workers.

Texas’s goods exports in 2010 totaled $207 billion, the largest figure of the 50 states. Of Texas’s total exports, $137 billion, or 66 percent, went to markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The top three product categories to APEC member economies exported in 2010 were computer and electronic products, chemicals, and machinery.

Jobs supported by Texas’s goods exports are estimated to be 731,800. More than one-quarter (26.3 percent) of all manufacturing workers in Texas depend on exports for their jobs. Although not measured, there are also additional jobs supported by Texas’s exports of services (2008 data are the latest available).

A total of 26,265 companies exported goods from Texas locations in 2008. Of those, 24,294 (92 percent) were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with fewer than 500 employees.

Small and medium-sized firms generated nearly one-third (33 percent) of Texas’s total exports of merchandise in 2008. Notably, small and medium-sized firms benefit from the tariff-elimination provisions of free trade agreements. The transparency obligations, particularly those in the customs chapters, are vital to small and medium-sized firms, which may not have the resources to navigate customs and regulatory red tape.

Excitement is building here in Big Sky, Montana in the runup to the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Trade Ministerial. More than 20 trade ministers from around the world are joining Ambassador Kirk to work on building a seamless regional economy in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia-Pacific region presents major opportunities for American businesses to grow more jobs here at home by building on our Asia-Pacific trade, and the Obama Administration is working to enhance those opportunities through APEC. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market in the world for U.S. exports, and receives more than 60 percent of U.S. goods and agricultural exports.

Today, USTR.gov launched a dedicated APEC 2011 page - a one-stop shop for APEC 2011 updates. Throughout this week, USTR.gov will highlight top exporting states, spotlight small business exporters and their experiences in the Asia-Pacific region, and conducting on-the-ground video interviews with local business leaders. We’ll also provide real-time updates and news on the progress we make here in Montana.

So be sure to check our APEC 2011 page soon and often – it’s going to be an eventful week here in Big Sky.

This week's trade spotlight is on World Trade Week.  Today, Ambassador Kirk wrote a blog spotlighting World Trade Week and encouraging American small businesses to export their products and services around the world on www.WhiteHouse.gov. You can read the blog post below.

Creating More Export Opportunities for American Small Businesses
Posted by Ambassador Ron Kirk on May 16, 2011 at 10:57 AM EDT

As President Obama has proclaimed this week to be World Trade Week, I would like to take this opportunity to especially encourage small businesses across the country to consider the advantages of exporting to one of our trade agreement country partners. Over a quarter million American small businesses from every state sell goods and services to foreign customers around the globe, and these export sales sustain millions of well-paying American jobs.

In fact, the U.S. International Trade Commission estimates that both direct and indirect exports by small firms which supply inputs or services to larger companies supported four million jobs in the United States in 2007. That is why President Obama launched the National Export Initiative, with the goal of doubling U.S. exports and supporting millions of additional U.S. jobs by the end of 2014.

Most U.S. small businesses which export begin by selling to our neighboring partners, Canada and Mexico. However, the United States has negotiated trade agreements with a total of 17 countries. It can be easier, cheaper, and faster for businesses to sell globally in partner countries due to the reduced tariffs at the border.

To help even more small companies the Administration recently launched a new free online tariff tool. U.S. exporters now have an online resource that streamlines tariff information for goods going to 20 foreign markets with which the U.S. has negotiated trade agreements. This information has never before been available free of charge in one searchable database. This new tool makes it easier for small businesses to grow and prosper through exports.

We are moving forward with a robust trade agenda to create even more opportunities for small businesses to thrive in the global economy. For instance, the pending U.S.-South Korea trade agreement presents significant new export opportunities for small businesses. South Korea is the eighth largest market worldwide for American small business goods exports. In 2009, almost 18,000 U.S. small and medium companies exported $8.4 billion in merchandise to South Korea.

As part of my small business outreach around the country, I recently met the CEO of Princeton Healthcare of Atlanta, Georgia. Princeton Healthcare is a small business exporter of medical technology products such as electrocardiographs and anesthesia machines to hospitals. They currently employ 10 workers. Princeton Healthcare has exported to South Korea in the past, and is looking for additional opportunities in the South Korean market.

The trade agreement will help Princeton Healthcare better compete in a competitive technologies and services market. By opening up South Korea’s $580 billion services market, Princeton Healthcare can better connect U.S. manufacturers with customers in South Korea.

This year the President and I hope that thousands more small businesses will take advantage of trade agreements, and join the Obama Administration in the work of the National Export Initiative.

Ambassador Ron Kirk is the United States Trade Representative.

Today, President Obama signed a proclamation regarding World Trade Week. Below is the proclamation.

WORLD TRADE WEEK, 2011

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

American businesses embody the ingenuity and entrepreneurship that has defined our Nation since its founding, and they consistently reinvent themselves to adapt to changing times. As we recover from a historic economic recession, enterprising commercial leaders continue to look beyond our borders to supply the world with innovative and technologically advanced products and services. Millions of jobs in the United States are tied to exports, and our world continues to grow more interdependent.

World Trade Week is a time to highlight the vital connection between the global economy and the prosperity of our own country. Our 21st-century economy requires American businesses and workers to compete in an international marketplace. To ensure our success, we must advance a robust, forward-looking trade agenda that emphasizes exports and domestic job growth.

Last year, my Administration launched the National Export Initiative, an effort to marshal the full resources of the Federal Government behind America's businesses, large and small, and help them sell their goods, services, and ideas to the world. Though the United States remains a leading exporter, this Initiative is redoubling our efforts to ensure American companies have free and fair access in trade, and it is building on our successes in export-driven growth. Through this effort, we can help even more American companies grow, compete, and thrive in global markets and help reach our goal of doubling exports in 5 years by 2015. In turn, those companies will be able to hire more American workers to produce the goods and services they sell to customers around the world.

By out-innovating, out-educating, and out-building the rest of the world, we can keep Americans working and export more of the high-quality products and services for which our workers and companies are admired. With a commitment to winning the future, we can continue to lead the world in attracting the jobs, businesses, and industries of tomorrow.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 15 through May 21, 2011, as World Trade Week. I encourage all Americans to observe this week with events, trade shows, and educational programs that celebrate and inform Americans about the benefits of trade to our Nation and the global economy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

On May 4, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Textiles Gail Strickler traveled to Yadkinville, North Carolina to participate in the official opening of the REPREVE® Recycling Center at Unifi’s state of the art G. Allen Mebane Industrial Complex. Unifi is a producer of polyester and nylon textured yarns. The company develops branded yarns that provide unique performance, comfort, and aesthetic advantages.

REPREVE® is Unifi’s brand of recycled fibers that can be used in apparel, automotive, seating, and paneling fabrics. The 50,000 square foot, REPREVE Recycling Center enables Unifi to recycle post-industrial and post-consumer polyester waste, and in the future, fabrics and garments. Unifi estimates to recycle over 400 million bottles into REPREVE in 2012 in its REPREVE Recycling Center.

The opening featured a ribbon cutting ceremony, tours and a program of speakers. Bill Jasper, chairman and CEO; Roger Berrier, president and COO; John Mowbray, editor and publisher of EcoTextile News; Gail Strickler, Assistant United States Trade Representative for Textiles; and Kim Glas, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles and Apparel and Chairman, CITA, all spoke at the ceremony.

The building was built with environmental benefits in mind. Features include:

• 67 skylights to take advantage of natural sunlight

• Light fixtures controlled by sensor technology to reduce energy use

• Low flow fixtures and motion sensors anticipated to reduce water use by 34%

• Many building materials were bought regionally and comprised of recycled content

• Energy Recovery Kit that captures and re-utilizes heat in the production of REPREVE chip

This development and investment in the latest in textile and environmental technology is American ingenuity at its best. Innovation such as this will help the U.S. to continue to play a leading role in the global textile supply chain.

The guest blog below is written by Michael T. Roberts, Special Counsel to Paramount Farms International in Lost Hills, California.

High tariffs can stagnate an otherwise ripe market. There is no better example than the tariff on pistachios in India, which, until this year, carried one of the highest pistachio tariffs in the world at just over 30 percent.

Paramount Farms has followed this issue closely as the world’s largest vertically integrated grower and processor of pistachios. In tandem with our grower partners, we farm 125,000 acres (50,000 hectares) of pistachios in California’s San Joaquin Valley, which deliver 450 million pounds (204 million kilograms) of nuts annually. Our pistachios are sold worldwide under two brands: Wonderful® Pistachios and Everybody’s Nuts!® Pistachios.

For the last 10 years, our industry has worked closely with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and other federal agencies to reduce the tariff in India. Ultimately the combination of commercial and governmental advocacy, diplomatic efforts, and an India-focused approach paid off, and nearly two months ago Indian leadership reduced the tariff on pistachios from 30 percent to 10 percent. This news resulted in tremendous excitement throughout California’s Central Valley, and I had the good fortune of actually being in Delhi to see the enthusiasm locally for this win-win development.

People had good cause to celebrate in both locations. This tariff reduction, coupled with more efforts in outreach and advertising, will result in a dramatic increase in the consumption of California pistachios in India. When India’s tariff on almonds was similarly lifted in 2000, consumption there went from 48 million pounds annually to over 101 million pounds annually in just five years.

Such elevated demand will lead to sustained jobs stateside. Paramount Farms’s operations, along with our grower partners, employ over 6,000 people who work in the United States farming, processing, marketing and selling pistachios. The market increase in India will bolster these good jobs at home. India’s economy will also benefit from the tariff reduction. Paramount Farms alone has already made substantial investments in India, and will spend even more on local outreach, advertising, sales and marketing. This translates into greater economic opportunities in India, along with increased access to a healthy snack option.

India’s reduced tariff and market expansion is the result of sustained dialogue between U.S. industry and the U.S. and Indian governments, and is a great example of thoughtful policy providing a benefit for both trade partners. We at Paramount Farms look forward to working with all of our allies in this success to make sure this potential is realized and sustained.

Today, Ambassador Kirk was a guest speaker at Congressman Adam Smith’s annual Ninth District Day. This event brings constituents from the Seattle-Tacoma area to Washington, D.C. for a day of briefings and discussions with top policymakers in the United States government.

Ambassador Kirk outlined the positive impact of trade on Representative Smith’s district, and he described how the Obama Administration’s trade agenda aims to double exports in support of Washington State jobs. For example, in the communities around the Ninth District, there are more than 66,500 jobs in the manufacturing sector that are expected to benefit from the U.S.-South Korea trade agreement. Ambassador Kirk noted that today staff from USTR and Congress began the next step, working together on the draft implementing bill, needed to move forward with this trade agreement.

Ambassador Kirk and Congressman Adam Smith

Overall, in 2009, the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area exported $36.9 billion worth of goods in a wide variety of sectors, including: Transportation Equipment ($25.8 billion); Computer and Electronic Products ($2.5 billion); Miscellaneous Manufacturing Products ($1.3 billion); and Processed Foods ($1 billion).

Today, on a rainy day in Washington, D.C., 15 USTR staff members ran in the 30th Capital Challenge. It is a three-mile race for runners and wheel chair athletes from the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government, as well as members of the media. Proceeds from the race benefit the Special Olympics of Washington, D.C.

Under the rules of the race each team must have a senior official of the agency as its captain. The three USTR teams were led by Stan McCoy, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intellectual Property and Innovation; Luis Jimenez, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Legislative Affairs; and Jim Sanford, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Small Business, Market Access, and Industrial Competitiveness. USTR teams included runners from nine offices within the agency. Jim Sanford also took home the award for fastest sub-Cabinet level Male.

Among executive branch teams, USTR’s “Fast Trackers” took fifth place honors. “Deal Makers” and “Special Three-Oh-Run” finished in 15th and 23rd places, respectively.

This week, Ambassador Kirk will be delivering remarks in recognition of World IP Day. Established by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) Member States in 2000, World IP Day Day (officially observed on April 26) focuses global attention on the critical contributions of creativity and innovation to economic growth. This occasion also emphasizes the importance of protecting intellectual property rights to foster advancement in the arts, science, and beyond.

American creativity and innovation help drive the U.S. economy. American ingenuity is a major competitive advantage in world markets. Intellectual property-intensive industries support an estimated 18 million jobs in the United States.

USTR takes its stewardship of U.S. creativity and innovation through trade policy very seriously, and fights for enhanced protection of U.S. intellectual property rights (IPR) throughout the world. Because now, national economies are more closely linked than ever through international trade and new technologies, our trade agreements include state-of-the-art protections of intellectual property rights.

In addition to negotiating and enforcing such agreements, USTR also uses the “Special 301” process to continue a dialogue with our trading partners and to press for reforms and enhanced IPR vigilance. On Monday, May 2, USTR released the 2011 Special 301 Report that includes an open invitation to all trading partners listed in the report to cooperatively develop action plans to resolve IPR issues of concern.

See statements of support regarding this year’s Special 301 Report below.

“USTR’s Report signals strongly the Administration’s commitment to protect our nation’s creative industries abroad through strong copyright protection, reducing piracy through more effective enforcement, and toppling market access barriers, steps that will help boost U.S. exports, create good jobs here at home, and contribute to U.S. economic growth, in line with the Administration’s goals.”

- Statement by Eric H. Smith, counsel to the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA)

“The USTR’s Special 301 report is a stark reminder of the challenges facing the strongest and most reliable American exporters – the creators of filmed entertainment. Movie theft, especially online, is a growing threat – not only to the 2.4 million men and women working in the motion picture and television community, but also to the health of the American economy as a whole…We thank the Ambassador Ron Kirk for his continued commitment to enhancing protection for American products abroad, and workers at home.”

- Statement by Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA)

“USTR continues to shine the light on illicit practices around the globe that must be addressed in order to expand trade in legitimate products and services. We thank them and their colleagues in other agencies for their diligence and vision in identifying such practices, and in demanding that U.S. trading partners adopt legal or enforcement reforms designed to achieve better copyright protection, particularly in connection with digital commerce.”

- Statement by Neil Turkewitz, Executive Vice President, International, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)