Tradeology, the ITA Blog

Antwaun Griffin is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Domestic Operations within the International Trade Administration’s U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, helping oversee all aspects of the Department’s trade promotion and export assistance services.

Griffin believes the U.S. government has played a critical role in giving American citizens the best chance possible to succeed. He’s had the opportunity to participate in that mission both with the Small Business Administration and the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.

You can read and respond to Griffin’s story on the Department of Commerce blog.

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Francisco Sánchez is the Under Secretary for International Trade

Under Secretary Sánchez (top right) witnesses a signing ceremony where American company GE will provide renewable energy technology to a Cambodian firm, SOMA Group. Representatives from both GE and SOMA were on hand for the event

As Under Secretary for International Trade, I have the privilege of working every day to expand opportunities for U.S. businesses, and strengthen the connections between different countries through trade and commerce.

Case in point: this past week, I accompanied Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Cambodia to speak at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) business forum and then traveled to Burma to address a U.S.-ASEAN Business Council business mission as well as announce the first U.S.-Burma business deal since the U.S. government eased restrictions on doing business with Burma last week. I also had the unique opportunity to meet many of Burma’s government reformers and opposition politicians, including Nobel Peace Prize winner, opposition leader, and (now) member of Parliament Aung San Suu Kyi.

These were important efforts because, as President Obama has said, the Southeast Asia region offers incredible potential for increased trade with the United States. Most notably, it is home to a rising middle class, which means more potential customers for U.S. products and services.

In fact, trade between the United States and ASEAN member nations has increased substantially in recent years. With a combined GDP of $1.5 trillion, the ASEAN region is our fourth largest export market and home to some of the world’s most important trade routes. In 2011, U.S. exports to ASEAN nations broke records – exceeding $76 billion for the first time.

It’s critical that we keep this momentum going. One way is through deepening our commercial engagement. This marks my fifth trip to the region in just over a year. Secretary Clinton herself was involved in the business forum from its onset. And President Obama traveled to the region just last November. Clearly, stronger commercial and political ties between the United States and ASEAN member nations are of utmost importance to this administration as we implement a much-discussed strategic “pivot” toward the Asia-Pacific region.

My trip to Burma came at an especially historic time. In fact, this weekend’s visit marks the first time U.S. government officials have participated in a high-level economic and business mission to the nation in decades. And, last Wednesday, two days before we arrived in Cambodia, President Obama announced that the U.S. would be easing restrictions on investment in the country, allowing U.S. companies to responsibly do business in Burma.

Discussions on energy, supply chain efficiency and infrastructure were among the most prominent at the forum in Cambodia, with important discussions happening between the private and public sectors. As an illustration, I witnessed American company General Electric (GE) announce a partnership with the SOMA Group, a leading Cambodian industrial company while we were there. The SOMA Group selected GE’s Waukesha gas engine technology to power a new rural, rice husk biomass-energy project designed to supply renewable electricity. So the opportunities for U.S. companies here are already starting to bear fruit.

Indeed, much was accomplished during this trip. Ties between the U.S. and all ASEAN nations are now stronger than ever and we were able to personally commend Burma for its ongoing reforms and make clear that we expect further rapid progress on its path to democracy and economic inclusion. The partnerships that were created and strengthened over the weekend will pay dividends—including the creation of good-paying, export-related American jobs–for years to come.

Juan Verde is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe in International Trade Administration’s Market Access and Compliance Unit.  

On Monday, the American Chamber of Commerce Lithuania proudly announced several U.S. firms had committed to participate in the first ever U.S. Department of Commerce Certified Trade Mission to Lithuania, including AT&T and Exelon.  I intend to meet personally with the U.S. and Lithuanian companies who are participating in the “Gateway” Trade Mission to Lithuania on September 26th to 27th, 2011.  I expect to learn from them the best ways ITA can help to expand U.S. exports, trade and partnerships with Lithuanian companies.

During the Certified Trade Mission, staff will organize matchmaking meetings for U.S. and Lithuanian businessmen, market specialists and government representatives will provide enriched presentations and consultations on market opportunities and ways of doing business in Lithuania. Before the Trade Mission, Lithuanian companies, according to their criteria, will be matched with potential U.S. business partners.

Sectors targeted for the trade mission include: information and communications technologies; client support centers; renewable energy (solar panels production, biomass production, wind power); and bio-plastics production.

AmCham Lithuania’s  press announcement discusses steps already taken by the trade mission organizers and supporters to encourage greater commercial cooperation between U.S. companies and Lithuanian companies, and notes many upcoming events to attract more companies to the trade mission. 

The National Export Initiative has a goal of doubling U.S. exports in order to create more jobs.  One way to increase exports is to make it easier for U.S companies to access international markets by providing U.S. companies the opportunity to meet with foreign businesses, trade associations, and foreign governments.   

Please take a look for yourself at this opportunity.   The AmCham Lithuania’s website  has invaluable information on the mission and it’s objectives.

Juan Verde is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe in the International Trade Administration’s Market Access and Compliance Unit. In this capacity, he leads the Department of Commerce’s efforts to help solve trade policy and market access issues facing U.S. firms seeking to grow their business operations in Europe and Eurasia.

Today I had the pleasure of welcoming Norwegian State Secretary for Trade and Industry Rikke Lind along with her esteemed delegation for the U.S. –Norway Informal Commercial Exchange (ICE) talks. These talks highlight our commitment to dialogue on issues that could benefit our industries’ participation in each others’ market –and spur innovation.

The agenda items ranged from increasing market access for certain environmentally friendly U.S. vehicles to increased protection for intellectual property rights for pharmaceuticals and digital content. We also discussed U.S. anti-dumping/countervailing duty measures on Norwegian salmon, science exchanges, Norway’s search and rescue helicopter procurement, and bottling taxes. I believe the Norwegian Government received informative briefings from various U.S. agencies on legislative and regulatory issues of concern, particularly in the area of trade security and shipping.

Several follow-up meetings will be held as part of our ongoing dialogue and work plan. I very much value Norway as a trading partner and I am grateful for the commitment of the State Secretary to working through and clarifying trade barriers.

Our merchandise exports to Norway increased by 11 percent in 2010, from 2009. Imports from Norway increased 22 percent in 2010 from 2009. U.S.-Norway trade in services has grown rapidly. U.S. exports of services to Norway rose from $1.4 billion in 2003 to $2.8 billion in 2009. U.S. imports of services from Norway rose from $1.4 billion in 2003 to $1.5 billion in 2009. I am confident those numbers will continue to rise and that our routine dialogue on trade issues plays a constructive role.

The ICE talks aim to reduce barriers to trade and increase market access.  The issues were brought to us by members of industry interested in achieving greater market access.  MAC has many bilateral dialogues to raise various trade issues in support of U.S. exports.  If you are encountering a trade barrier contact us at our Trade Compliance Center

Brian Beall is an International Trade Specialist working travel and tourism issues within the International Trade Administration.

The Travel Promotion Act, or TPA, has the potential to create new opportunities for U.S. travel and tourism exports and plays a critical role in supporting President Obama’s National Export Initiative and stimulating the U.S. economy.  The Department of Commerce is excited about today’s announcement by the Corporation for Travel Promotion’s (CTP) Board of Directors that travel and tourism industry veteran Jim Evans will lead the newly created CTP as its first CEO. 

This is an exciting time for the United States to engage in the global marketplace and proactively compete for international visitors.  After all, more international visitors to the United States means more people eating in our restaurants, staying in our hotels, shopping in our malls, visiting our attractions, and learning about our values and culture.

Since the TPA was signed into law on March 10, 2010, the Department of Commerce, through the International Trade Administration’s (ITA) Office of Travel Promotion and Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, has played a critical role in communicating progress on the TPA’s implementation to the travel and tourism industry.  The TPA established the CTP, a non-profit corporation created by Congress for the purpose of promoting international leisure, business, and scholarly travel to the United States and maximizing the economic and social benefits of that travel for communities across the country.   

The CTP’s Board is appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Travel Promotion, located in ITA, serves as the liaison office to the Board.  In September 2010, Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke appointed the 11 members of the Board, following consultation with the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security.   

For more information about the CTP, please visit: www.CorporationForTravelPromotion.com.

Juan Verde is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe in International Trade Administration’s Market Access and Compliance Unit.  He is passionate about helping U.S. companies find export opportunities, and has special expertise in renewable energy industry issues.

I am so pleased that last week Lithuania’s Energy Minister Arvydas Sekmokas is in Washington and meeting with U.S. Government officials and U.S. companies on Lithuania’s energy initiatives.  I think this is clear evidence that the Government of Lithuania wants to diversify its energy sources and it acknowledges U.S. industry expertise in the energy sector. 

Minister Sekmokas is also discussing plans for shale gas exploration and the Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant.  I had the honor of meeting with him at the Atlantic Council and I was impressed by the Lithuanian government’s dedication to energy diversification and independence.  I am fully supportive of these efforts in Lithuania and the Baltic region.

The press release on the U.S. company Cheniere’s  website underscores the opportunities to be found in Lithuania.   This week the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Klaipedos Nafta, the Lithuanian company that operates Lithuania’s crude oil and crude oil products terminal in the port of Klaipeda.  The press release states that the MOU will help “address Klaipedos Nafta’s future natural gas needs and assess LNG purchase and supply options.”

Also, I am very eager to see what additional commercial opportunities for U.S. companies will emerge from the first ever Department of Commerce certified trade mission to Lithuania in September.  Renewable energy is a key export sector targeted for this trade mission.  I plan to be there in September to see this historic and commercially exciting trade mission take off.  More information on the trade mission is available on the American Chamber of Commerce in Lithuania’s web site.

These opportunities in Lithuania are but a small fraction of the global renewable energy and energy-efficient export opportunities out there. In December 2010, Commerce Secretary Locke launched the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Export Initiative, or RE4I. The Initiative includes 23 commitments from 8 different federal agencies (Department of Commerce, Department of Energy, U.S. Trade Representative, State Department, U.S. Trade and Development Agency, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and U.S. Department of Agriculture) for new programs, actions, or deliverables that will help address the major export barriers facing U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE&EE) companies. The initiative also includes an export resource guide to help U.S. companies expand their sales overseas and explore new opportunities.

Nicole Y. Lamb-Hale is the Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services at the International Trade Administration

Assistant Secretary of Commerce Nicole Lamb-Hale visits a California Pizza Kitchen franchise at the Phoenix Mills Complex in Mumbai, India. Photo courtesy Sherwin Crasto, DNA

I am very proud to represent the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Government on the very first franchising trade mission to India.  To kick things off, the 15 U.S. franchising companies on the mission met with other companies that have successfully entered the Indian market.  There was also a great presentation from McDonald’s on how they have managed to succeed in franchising here in India.  McDonald’s opened up their first restaurant in India in 1996.  Today they are the largest restaurant chain in India.  Franchising offers great opportunities for U.S. companies and for Indian entrepreneurs to work together.  After that the companies on the trade mission had matchmaking meetings with potential partners here in India.  I had some great meetings with other U.S. companies on the kind of things they are looking for to succeed as well as the Indo-American Education Council and learned about some great opportunities for American educational institutions.  I was excited to talk with CNBC India, Reuters and Dow Jones about the mission, it’s objectives and all the great companies who are here looking for opportunities and told them about the National Export Initiative — or the NEI, as it is often called — and the many opportunities for collaboration between U.S. and Indian business.

We finished our first day with the welcome reception at the Consul General’s residence here in Mumbai.  Approximately 150 people attended the reception including our 15 trade mission companies, potential Indian trading partners, banks, and members of the U.S. government.  Consul General Paul Folmsbee and I gave remarks, stressing the importance of U.S. and Indian partnership.  I look forward to our next stop in Hyderabad and New Delhi later in the week.  With me on the mission are the following great U.S. companies.

1.  Applebees
2. BannaStrow’s Crepes and Coffee
3. CKR Restaurants
4. Denny’s Restaurants
5. FOCUS Brands
6. Johnny Rockets
7. Molly Maid, Inc.
8. One and Four LLC
9. Pollo Tropical
10. United Franchise Group
11. Wendy’s Arby’s International
12. Rita’s Italian Ice
13. Which Wich Superior Sandwiches
14. Wing Zone
15. Radio Shack