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. |
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.
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
2022-Taiwan-Trade_Shows
- 2022 Taiwan Innotech Expo:
Date : Oct. 13-15, 2022
Registration Deadline: July 30, 2022
Location : Taipei, Taiwan
Official web site : https://inventaipei.com.tw
- 2035 E-Mobility Taiwan (www.e-mobilityshow.com.tw), originally on 10/26/2022, has been rescheduled to April 12-15, 2023.
This trade show will occur at the same place and same time with Taipei AMPA and Autotronics Taipei events.
TaipeiPLAS & ShowTech Taipei 2022 Fact Sheet
Creative Expo Taiwan (CET) 2022 is a showcase and trade platform of international cultural and creative merchandise and image licensing.
The application for a subsidy to this event is currently open.
This year CET presents two main sections: “Brand Fair” and “Cultural Concepts” covering three major exhibitions of Cultural and Creative Brands, IP Licensing cultural and curatorial exhibition.
Creative Expo Taiwan (CET):
Date: Aug. 10-14, 2022
Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Official web site: http://creativexpo.tw/
Buyer’s online application link: https://www.stss.com.tw/creativexpo/buyer/eng/
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan (MLIT) will host an annual Japan Infrastructure Investment Forum on August 23rd in cooperation with the federal Department of Transportation and California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA). This forum aims to strengthen the Japan-U.S. relationship in the areas of infrastructure and transport, focusing on the transition to zero emissions as well as digital technologies in infrastructure and transport areas. A networking reception, attended by the U.S. and Japanese governmental officials and companies, will be held in the end of the forum.
Conference Information:
[Time and Date] August 23, 2022 (Tue.)
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Registration
1:00 p.m. – 6:10 p.m. Keynote speeches, presentations
6:10 p.m. – closing Reception Party
[Venue] InterContinental San Francisco *The venue is still TBD
[Fee] Free! – advance registration is required (Up to 150 individuals)
[Sponsors] Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan (MLIT)
You can see the program in detail in following link:
https://fifth-infrastructureforum.com/eng
FYI Japan Infrastructure Investment Forum_v1
Invitation to the Japan Infrastructure Investment Forum
On behalf of the Colombo American Chamber of Commerce- AmCham Colombia, we would like to share with you a unique opportunity for ICT companies from California that are looking to expand their commercial and investment horizons in Colombia and Latin America.
This year the United States is partner country in ANDICOM 2022, an event that bring together the most important companies and stake holders ICT from the region. ANDICOM 2022 will take place in Cartagena, Colombia from the 31st of August – 2nd of September 2022.
AmCham Colombia is promoting the United States Pavilion through which companies from de US will have the possibility to promote their products and services with additional networking benefits. Additionally, companies that participate in the pavilion with a stand will participate in an opening reception organized by the US Embassy, with networking opportunities with high level government officials from Colombia and select private sector stakeholders.
Staff Contact
Susanne Stirling
Vice President, International Affairs