California-UK After Brexit: Prospects for Partnership A New Year, A New Deal: The UK’s Future Relationship with California |
CalChamber Hosts Virtual Event for International Representatives with Governor Newsom and Lt. Governor Kounalakis |
Overview
California is one of the 10 largest economies 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 229 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.
Canadian Consul General Visits CalChamber; Discusses Privacy, Trade, Workforce Development![]() (February 26, 2020) Representatives of the Canadian Consulate General from San Francisco and Los Angeles visited the California Chamber of Commerce yesterday in celebration of Canada Day in Sacramento, affirming that the updated United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) underscores a renewed understanding among the countries on the importance of mutual trading relationships.
Mexico Chief Negotiator Provides Insight
|
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.
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

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
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



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
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), is organizing a Cybersecurity Business Development Mission to Santiago, Chile; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Lima, Peru, March 1-5, 2021, along with an optional stop in Buenos Aires, Argentina on March 8, 2021.
Mission Participants Will: Learn about regional priorities, policy and regulatory changes, projects, and business opportunities. Make industry and government contacts. Have one-on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, or joint venture partners in Chile, Peru, and Uruguay with optional appointments available in Argentina. Participate in Networking Receptions. Solidify business strategies and advance specific project goals. Why You Should Join: The purpose of this trade mission is to introduce U.S. firms to rapidly expanding markets for cyber-security products and services in South America.
The mission will help participating firms and trade associations to gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance specific projects, with the goal of increasing U.S. exports to Peru, Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina. By participating in an official U.S. industry delegation, rather than traveling to Peru, Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina on their own, U.S. companies will enhance their ability to secure meetings in those countries and gain greater exposure to the region. By participating in the mission, U.S. companies will partake in customized, one-on-one, business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, and/or joint venture partners through which they may export their products and services to the region.
The Mission will provide opportunities for participants to have policy and regulatory framework discussions with foreign government representatives in order to advance U.S. cybersecurity sector interests and it will provide participants with an opportunity to meet with local governments and/or associations, to foster long-term partnerships, and to share best practices.
COVID-19 has impacted global trade and investment against a complex geopolitical backdrop. As companies around the world look for growth opportunities, how can Hong Kong play a role for US businesses? Hear about the latest situation and business sentiment on the ground in Hong Kong, which has been in the spotlight over the last two years. What are the facts? What are the key, emerging opportunities and how can companies explore them? This webinar co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office in San Francisco and the World Trade Center Los Angeles will share perspectives from Hong Kong investment leaders on how the region is attracting global players. How will Hong Kong maintain its role as Asia’s leading business and financial center? Join us to find out!
Ahead of St. Patty’s Day on March 17, join Asia Society Northern California on Thursday, March 4 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific for an off-the-record Executive Roundtable with Ambassador Declan Kelleher, who previously served as Ireland’s permanent representative to the EU and its ambassador to China on how Brexit is affecting intra-European cooperation, the complex relations between China and Europe, and how all these interactions impact the United States. By most metrics, the United States, European Union and China are the world’s most important economies and geopolitical actors. COVID-19 has amplified the importance of the crucial relationships between these global powers and placed a particularly bright spotlight on both the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Brexit and China-EU engagement. Isabel Hilton, CEO of the China Dialogue Trust and international journalist and broadcaster, will join us from London to moderate the discussion
Staff Contact
Susanne Stirling
Vice President, International Affairs