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Featured Headlines Hong Kong Looks to Expand California Trade With Duty-Free Wine
Despite the recent global recession, Hong Kong has turned doldrums into opportunities by making duty-free wine a key catalyst for economic prosperity, Hong Kong Commissioner Donald Tong said yesterday. CalChamber,February 23, 2010
L.A. and Long Beach Ports are Loading Up on Jobs
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are bringing in a surprising new commodity: jobs. The first post-recession surge in employment at the nation's busiest seaport complex began this month and appears to be gathering momentum. Los Angeles Times, February 22, 2010
Mr. President, Enact This Trade Deal
President Obama announced a new goal of doubling American exports over the next five years as part of his strategy for creating U.S. jobs. The business community heard in the president's remarks a welcome signal that the White House views the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement as part of the plan for U.S. economic recovery and job creation. Wall Street Journal, February 18, 2010
The “Small Business Int’l Trade Enhancements Act of 2009” (S. 1196 – Senator Mary L. Landrieu D-LA),which would increase the total amount of available trade financing, adjust collateral requirements, and encourage better collaboration on small business export assistance among federal government agencies.
The “Small Business Export Opportunity Act of 2009” (S. 1208 – Senator Olympia Snowe R-ME ) , which would create a new Office of Small business Export Development and Promotion at the Small Business Administration. It would also increase the maximum export loan amount and create a grant program that matches funds for expenses incurred by small businesses that are actively working to start or expand export activities.
The “Trade Reform, Accountability, Development, and Employment (TRADE) Act” (H.R. 3012 - Congressman Mike Michaud D-ME), which would generate additional bureaucratic reporting requirements relating to international trade agreements on top of those that already exist, was introduced in the House on June 24, 2009. This legislation would place new roadblocks to future trade agreements intended to lower foreign taxes on U.S. exports and require the renegotiation of existing trade agreements. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is expected to introduce companion legislation in the Senate in July.
The following bills are related to international trade and have been introduced in the California State Legislature in the 2009-2010 Legislative Session.
Any CalChamber position is noted on the CalChamber Legislative website:
SB 657 (Steinberg; D-Sacramento) Human Trafficking
Mandates that “every retail seller and manufacturer doing business in this state” develop, maintain, and implement a policy addressing the eradication of slavery and human trafficking from their supply chain. The bill inappropriately makes California employers responsible for the actions of businesses with which they have no contractual relationship, are located in other countries, and could be engaged in activities that may best be handled on a diplomatic level.
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California Coalition
For Free Trade
A broad-based group of companies and business organizations working to secure a national free trade agenda, as well as, seeking approval of the Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.
This e-mail is being sent to members of the CalChamber Council for International Trade; CalChamber members with international interests; local, binational and American chambers of commerce abroad; the consular corps; California congressional delegation, selected U.S. and California government officials; and representatives of business and trade associations.
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