| San Francisco Announced as Host City for Asia-Pacific Leaders Meeting in Fall 2023 CalChamber, November 21, 2022 |
Overview
California is the fifth largest economy in the world with a gross state product (GSP) of more than $3 trillion. International-related commerce (including exports and imports of goods and services, plus investments) accounts for approximately one-quarter of the state’s economy. Although trade is a nationally determined policy issue, its impact on California is immense. California exports to over 226 foreign markets.
The California Chamber of Commerce supports expansion of international trade and investment, fair and equitable market access for California products abroad, and elimination of disincentives that impede the international competitiveness of California business.
Global Trade Issues with Touch of Politics Get Attention at CalChamber Forum (June 7, 2022) Common challenges facing the global community were the focus of an enthusiastic audience at the California Chamber of Commerce-hosted in-person International Forum last week. Speaking to the 175 attendees at the June 1 forum were:
CalChamber-Hosted Mexico Advocacy Day Lunch Focuses on Future of Bilateral Relationship On May 3, the California Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon for the 13th Annual California Mexico Advocacy Day in conjunction with the Consulate General of Mexico in Sacramento. The luncheon focused on the future of the bilateral relationship between California and Mexico as the bilateral partners emerge from the global COVID-19 pandemic. The California-Mexico relationship has remained strong, as Mexico continued to be California’s No. 1 export market in 2021. CalChamber Hosts Reception for Japanese Ambassador and Delegation On Monday, March 21 the California Chamber of Commerce hosted a reception for the Japanese Ambassador to the United States. Ambassador Koji Tomita was accompanied by a delegation including Hiroshi Kawamura, Consul General of Japan in San Francisco, and representatives from the business community together with California state government officials. The Ambassador was escorted to the CalChamber offices by the Lieutenant Governor of California, Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis, and Dee Dee Myers, Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), following the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on climate change and energy earlier in the day. Canadian Consul General Visits CalChamber (March 14, 2022) Post-pandemic return-to-work policies, energy resources, climate change and trade issues were among the topics of discussion when a team from the Canadian Consulate General in San Francisco visited the California Chamber of Commerce on March 14.
CalChamber-Hosted Lunch for UK Trade Secretary Provides Opportunity to Reiterate Shared Goals (July 16, 2021) Technology, agriculture and the California and British economies were among the topics discussed when the California Chamber of Commerce hosted a small luncheon for Britain’s trade secretary on July 14. The Sacramento stop by the Right Honorable Elizabeth Truss, member of Parliament, was part of a five-day visit to the United States. The CalChamber luncheon included Secretary Truss; the Honorable Joe White, British Tech Envoy and Consul General in San Francisco; and James Crean, Head of Trade Policy at the British Consulate General San Francisco. Susanne Stirling, CalChamber vice president for international affairs, welcomed the British guests together with CalChamber Board member Rick Fowler, chief operating officer at Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard. |
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World Trade Month Spotlights Importance of Global Trade to State, U.S. Economies |
CalChamber International Trade Issues and Priorities
There are numerous trade issues that affect the United States and consequently, California. Each region and issue page gives an overview, and links to related organizations and documents. To view the trade issues, please click here.
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CalChamber Outlines Trade Priorities for Congress, Federal Officials |
CalChamber Council for International Trade
CalChamber Council for International Trade hosts trade events, forums, and guests.
International Activities
Overview
Looking Out for Business
Through our lobbying team and committees, we monitor state and federal legislative issues, as well as multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations on behalf of Californians doing business abroad.
Making Connections
We work as a clearinghouse of information for international trade. We encourage our members to share their international expertise, while also bridging the gap between government agencies and private companies, here and abroad.
Getting Involved
We give you as many chances as possible to grow your international business. Each year, we sponsor/co-sponsor trade and investment missions, educational programs and conferences, as well as trade and catalog shows.
Trade Missions
CalChamber delegations have participated in the state’s trade and investment missions. Members and CalChamber officials often participate in trade events such as International Expos and the World Economic Forum. Board members and officials have accompanied six California Governors to various worldwide destinations, including Mexico City to discuss the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA.)
Lt. Governor Led Mission to Mexico – October 2019
From October 1-4, 2019 a delegation of California business and state agencies led by Lieutenant Governor Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis traveled to Mexico City for a trade mission to advance business, collaboration and partnership between California and Mexico.
The delegation was made up of 20 private sector leaders from the agriculture, energy, and clean-technology sectors, as well as approximately 20 representatives from an array of state agencies. Visit the blog to learn more.
Gubernatorial Trade Mission to Mexico – July 2014
Visit the blog to learn more about this successful trade and investment mission led by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., organized by the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Foundation for Commerce and Education, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with CalChamber.
Along with senior members of his administration and business delegates, Governor Brown traveled to Mexico City, the political capital and financial center of Mexico.
Gubernatorial Trade Mission to China – April 2013
The delegation traveled throughout China and attended the opening of the California Trade and Investment Office in Shanghai, California’s first official permanent presence in China in nearly a decade. With more investment deals from China than any other state, California is positioned to capture China’s growing foreign investment. Trade Mission Blog
Cuba Policy Trip
CalChamber Joins World Affairs Council on Cuba Policy Trip – April 2015
This nation-wide 20-member delegation met with high-ranking government officials, chatted with entrepreneurs in the emerging Cuban private sector, enjoyed the work of professional artists and musicians, heard from renowned historians and convened with diplomats and economists.
Awards
CalChamber’s Susanne Stirling Is Sacramento County Woman of the Year
CalChamber Vice President of International Affairs Susanne Stirling has been named Woman of the Year for Sacramento County by California Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa). The Senator recognized Stirling for her leadership and decades-long commitment to promoting economic development and cooperation between the state and other countries.“In many ways, California’s economy is tied to international markets, and Susanne brings a level of experience and knowledge that is critical as we successfully and safely reopen our state,” Senator Dodd said. “She has been an ambassador for international trade for many years and has continued to serve with distinction as we weathered this historic public health crisis. I’m proud to recognize her for her efforts to help our state’s business community.”
“I am deeply appreciative to Senator Dodd for this recognition,” Susanne Stirling said. “During this challenging time in our world with global-wide trade disruptions, my focus is to assist with the state’s economic recovery on behalf of the CalChamber through our international ties. International trade is a major part of the economic engine that benefits businesses, communities, consumers and our state’s prosperity.”
(CalChamber, March 25, 2021) Top Story
Trade Group Recognizes CalChamber’s Susanne Stirling as ‘Outstanding Woman of the Year in International Trade’
California Chamber of Commerce Vice President of International Affairs Susanne Stirling yesterday was presented with the “Outstanding Woman of the Year in International Trade” award by the Women in International Trade, Los Angeles (WIT-LA).
Stirling received the award during WIT-LA’s Global Trade Awards Gala in Manhattan Beach, which brought together 150 individuals from the international trade world to recognize and celebrate women who serve as role models and who have paved the way for others in expanding their own business. The Gala also promoted international trade by recognizing the impact it has on the growing economy and its importance to the Los Angeles area. (CalChamber, November 8, 2019)
CalChamber Receives President’s Export Award
The California Chamber of Commerce received the prestigious President’s “Excellence for Export Service Award,” the nation’s highest award to honor United States exporters.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke said that those honored at the November 2009 ceremony have “shown the foresight and ability to grow and prosper through a strong export strategy. Exporting U.S. manufactured goods and services plays an important role in rebuilding the American economy and creating jobs at home. With 95 percent of the world’s consumers living outside our borders, there is great potential to boost economic growth and create new jobs in America through exporting. Alert Article
CalChamber Receives Korean Presidential Citation
On December 6, 2012, the California Chamber of Commerce received the prestigious Presidential Citation from the government of the Republic of Korea for promoting U.S.-Korea trade and commercial relations, and specifically for contributing to the passage of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The CalChamber was an early supporter of the U.S.-Korea FTA, the culmination of a five-year process from negotiations, to passage and implementation.
Recent News
International COVID-19 Information Page, click here.
Diplomacy Matters:
California Leading the Way
NorCal World Trade Center Webinar featuring Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis; Consul General of Mexico in Sacramento, Liliana Ferrer; and Susanne Stirling, VP International Affairs, CalChamber; February 2021
Celebrating International Women’s Day Webinar with Women in International Trade, Los Angeles
Featuring Bella Heule, VP of Business Development, California Closets; Audrey Glover-Dichter, General Counsel, Organization of Women in International Trade; and Susanne Stirling, VP International Affairs, CalChamber; March 2021
News and Publications
Resources
- Events
- Trading Partner Portals
- Trade Statistics
- Foreign Direct Investment
- Consular Corps Information Packet
- FAQs
- more …
International Contacts
- Global Contacts, Organizations and Associations
- Global Resources and Contacts
- Country Contacts in California
- Foreign Consulates in California (A-L)
- Foreign Consulates in California (M-W)
- Binational Chambers of Commerce in California
- U.S. Government
- California State Legislative Pictorial Roster
- California Congressional Delegation Pictorial Roster
- California Government
- more …
Councils
Coalitions
- Alliance for Fair Trade with India
- *CalChamber California Coalition for Free Trade*
- Federation of International Trade Associations
- North American Rebound
- Trade Works for US
- U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB)
- USA * Engage
International Events
Exports from the United States of agricultural and related products to Mexico totaled $26.5 billion in 2022. Mexico is still one of the largest and most consistent markets for U.S. agricultural products. With the geographical advantage of a long land border and a new Foreign Trade Agreement that has eliminated duties on all agricultural and food products, Mexico is a natural market for U.S. exporters.
In addition to meeting with Mexican buyers, WUSATA participants will have the opportunity to meet with Central American buyers. Central American retail buyers will be flown into Mexico City to participate in the two-day conference/meetings between WUSATA companies and the category buyers of leading retailers in the region. Each participating WUSATA company will have tailored business meetings to showcase products to potential buyers. Business meetings will also be combined with networking events and speakers highlighting U.S. trends in the featured product category.
Please see the event website for further details.
InvestChile is organizing its 6th International #InvestChileForum 2022, where attendees can find out about emerging investment opportunities and Chile’s new economic strategies and FDI policies.
The Forum will take place on December 5, 6 and 7 and will be attended by high-level company directors and executives, Chilean economic authorities, representatives from the public sector and local businesspeople.
👉 If you are an international investor interested in participating in breakout sessions & B2B meetings, you can apply until October 21.
👉 To join us at the Inaugural Conference & International Seminar in Santiago or watch it on our streaming platform, pre-register now!
Don’t miss Chile’s most important investment forum!
After two years as a virtual event, EXIM is excited to return for a one day, in-person program filled with high level speakers, matchmaking, practical tools and resources, and more. This year’s Annual Conference will also feature a hybrid option allowing participants to attend virtually from around the world.
The 2022 conference will feature opportunities to network with peers, find potential sales, and hear from key industry executives, government leaders and other key stakeholders. Discussions will highlight major initiatives happening in export finance and the global export credit landscape – like the Make More in America initiative and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure, as well as the role EXIM is playing to support U.S. jobs and strengthen economic security through deeper commercial partnerships.
The conference will help U.S. companies make more in America, export more from America and expand their exporting opportunities in clean energy, high-tech transformational export sectors and other sectors and regions. Throughout the conference, attendees will hear from distinguished speakers representing the business, academic and government sectors and learn about EXIM’s support for companies large and small, product enhancements, and new tools to help U.S. exporters export worldwide.
More details will follow over the coming months, and registration will open in early July 2022. You can follow along for program updates on EXIM’s website: www.exim.gov.
Trade is a driver of economic prosperity. Join us as we set the stage for a successful 2023 for Northern California’s businesses. Our expert panel from the agri-business, technology, transportation and regulatory industries will review the top global regulatory, supply chain, and sourcing developments from this past year. They will also share their global business predictions to help you prepare for 2023. Don’t miss our last event of 2022!
EXIM’s 2022 Annual Conference is fast-approaching and is shaping up to be an excellent event you won’t want to miss!
This year’s theme —“A Brighter Future Through Exporting”— highlights the importance of U.S. manufacturing, supply chains, the global energy transition, and economic security through exports, and it will emphasize how public-private partnerships can fuel economic growth and commercial trade. The event will also shine a spotlight on diversity, equity, and inclusion in exporting.
The conference will feature discussions with leaders in business, finance, government, policy, and media as well as one-on-one consultation opportunities with EXIM staff and networking with other trade professionals in attendance.
Register now to take advantage of our early bird registration and visit the conference website for agenda and speaker updates.
Staff Contact
Susanne Stirling
Vice President, International Affairs