Past CalChamber Council of International Trade (CCIT) Meetings
Australia Consul General Highlights Strong California Links for Clean Energy Projects
(September 13, 2024) Overlapping interests and shared values make Australia, the United States and California strong partners on economic, security and climate change issues, Australia Consul General Tanya Bennett told a California Chamber of Commerce breakfast audience last week.
Bennett was the featured speaker at the September 13 breakfast hosted by the CalChamber Council for International Trade. Her talk and lively exchanges with the audience underscored the many existing connections between Australia and the United States.
Digital Trade Offers Growth Opportunities for US, State Firms in Latin America
(March 12, 2024) Growth in digital trade represents a great opportunity for U.S. and California companies to expand ties with Latin America in general and Brazil in particular, according to speakers at a recent international breakfast meeting of the California Chamber of Commerce Council for International Trade (CCIT).
The speakers at the CCIT gathering on March 8 were Richard Kiy, president and CEO, and Shane Christensen, diplomatic fellow, both from the Institute of the Americas.
For 40 years, the Institute of the Americas — located on the University of California, San Diego campus in La Jolla — has promoted sound public policy and fostered cooperation between public and private sector stakeholders across the hemisphere.
Kiy commented that growth in digital trade doesn’t get as much attention as goods, yet services accounted for more than 33% of U.S. exports in 2020. Digital trade-related exports — information and communications technology (ICT) — made up close to 60% of the services exports, according to information compiled by the Harvard Growth Lab.
Strong EU-California Relations Help Strengthen Both Economies
(December 8, 2023) California is the farthest state away from Europe geographically, yet the closest in terms of values, a European Union (EU) representative told a California Chamber of Commerce breakfast gathering last week.
The speaker at the December 8 breakfast of the CalChamber Council for International Trade (CCIT) was Gerard de Graaf, Head of the EU Office in San Francisco and senior envoy for digital to the U.S.
de Graaf was among the 15 San Francisco area diplomatic representatives of California’s top trading partners who joined the CalChamber Board of Directors for dinner on Thursday, December 7. Also represented at the dinner were Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Chile and Ukraine.
Panelists Offer Thoughts on Upcoming Asia-Pacific Leaders Summit
(September 12, 2023) Representatives from three of the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) described for a California Chamber of Commerce audience on September 8 what’s at stake for their economies when APEC leaders meet in San Francisco the week of November 12.
The theme of this year’s summit focuses on creating economic opportunity for all through trade and investment, innovation, sustainable and inclusive growth.
China Influence Growing in Latin America; California Maintains Strong Trade Presence
(March 17, 2023) The United States is Latin America’s top trade partner, but China’s influence and economic stake in the region is growing, a leading expert on the Americas recently told a California Chamber of Commerce gathering.
Richard Kiy, president and CEO of the Institute of the Americas, spoke at the March 10 breakfast meeting of the CalChamber Council for International Trade. The breakfast was sponsored by Del Monte Foods.
Boom Time for India Promises Benefits for Relations/Trade with U.S., California
(December 13, 2022) Trade and investment opportunities in India were the focus of attention at last week’s international breakfast meeting of the CalChamber Council for International Trade.
Ambassador Dr. Nagendra Prasad, consul general of India in San Francisco, and Ambassador Atul Keshap, president of the U.S.-India Business Council, pointed out the many historical and economic connections between California and India.
Shared Values Form Core of Australia-California Partnerships on Climate, New Technology
(September 14, 2022) Multiple connections enhance continuing strong economic relations between Australia, the United States and California, Ambassador Jane Duke, Consul General of Australia in Los Angeles, told a California Chamber of Commerce breakfast audience last week.
Speaking at the September 9 gathering of the CalChamber Council for International Trade, the Ambassador pointed to private sector opportunities in sectors such as critical minerals, supply chains, quantum, defense and space industries, and green energy.
The breakfast meeting, attended by more than 30 representatives of the business community and the CalChamber Board of Directors, was sponsored by United Airlines.
Global Trade Issues with Touch of Politics Get Attention at CalChamber Forum
Photo by bryanpatrickphoto.com
(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:
- Arun Venkataraman, assistant secretary of commerce for global markets and director general at the U.S. Department of Commerce;
- Emily Desai, deputy director for international affairs and trade at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz);
- Dan Walters, longtime political columnist, CalMatters.
Innovation Drives Ireland-California Collaborations in Many Fields
(March 11, 2022) Ireland’s relationship with the United States and especially California is driven by innovation, Consul General Marcella Smyth told a California Chamber of Commerce audience last week.
Speaking at a breakfast gathering hosted by the CalChamber Council for International Trade on March 11 in Half Moon Bay, Smyth, the Consul General of Ireland in Los Angeles, cited the numerous partnerships between Irish and U.S./California entities.
German Consul General Highlights Opportunities for California Businesses
(December 14, 2021) California and Germany have many ongoing cooperative efforts underway already and there are more opportunities to come, German Consul General Oliver Schramm told a California Chamber of Commerce gathering last week.
Areas of mutual interest include energy policy and climate change, Schramm said at the December 10 international breakfast hosted by the CalChamber Council for International Trade and sponsored by CSAA Insurance Group.
What to Expect from Biden Administration on Asia Pacific Trade Matters
(December 4, 2020) A shift back toward coalition building in trade discussions will be the major outcome under a new administration, a longtime trade specialist told the California Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors last week.
The brief look at fundamental differences between the current and incoming administrations was presented by William Reinsch, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, based in Washington D.C., at the CalChamber Board online meeting on December 4.
Speakers Highlight Economic Vitality of Baja California Region
pla(March 3, 2020) The cross-border connections that make the Baja California region a dynamic economic center were the focus of a recent California Chamber of Commerce international breakfast meeting at The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla.
Speakers at the February 28 gathering hosted by the CalChamber Council for International Trade were Rubén Roa Dueñas, undersecretary of the economy for the State of Baja California, Mexico; and Ambassador Carlos González Gutiérrez, consul general of Mexico, San Diego.
The Automobile Club of Southern California sponsored the breakfast, which was held in conjunction with the CalChamber Board of Directors meeting.
Longtime Banking Executive/China Hand Describes Challenges of Doing Business in Transitional China
(December 10, 2019) An “on-the-ground” update on doing business in China was presented last Friday at the CalChamber Council for International Trade breakfast by Ken Petrilla, the U.S. representative of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Shanghai.
China is in the throes of an incomplete transition from a “tangible value economy” to an “intangible value economy,” said Petrilla, who also is managing director and U.S. representative of ChinaVest, a Shanghai-based merchant bank.
GO-Biz Adviser Outlines Strategy to Enhance State’s Global Competitiveness
(September 9, 2019) Leveraging existing programs is central to the administration’s strategy for improving California’s global trade competitiveness, according to the recently named senior international adviser at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).
Bud Colligan, named GO-Biz senior adviser for international affairs and trade in March, reviewed his activities over the last few months at the international breakfast meeting of the California Chamber of Commerce Council for International Trade on September 6.
The breakfast was sponsored by the Automobile Club of Southern California.
International Forum – Importance of Tourism, Trade, and Other State Issues Take Center Stage at International Forum
(May 29, 2019) California’s top issues, including tourism’s impact on the state, and federal initiatives to facilitate Indo-Pacific trade took center stage at the California Chamber of Commerce International Forum this year.The May 22 forum, moderated by Susanne T. Stirling, CalChamber vice president of international affairs, brought together nearly 200 attendees, including representatives from the business community, CalChamber Board members, representatives of the California consular corps and foreign economic partners, plus representatives of foreign, state, local and federal governments. The forum was sponsored by Frontier Communications.
This year’s forum speakers were:
- Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, who gave an overview of important California state issues;
- U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia Diane Farrell, who detailed several programs the Commerce Department has launched to promote international trade; and
- Visit California President and CEO Caroline Beteta, who reported on the state of tourism in California.
Multitude of Irish-U.S./California Trade, Investment Ties in Spotlight
(March 19, 2019) The strong trade and investment links between Ireland and the United States, as well as California, were celebrated last week at a California Chamber of Commerce breakfast held in conjunction with CalChamber Board events.
The CalChamber Council for International Trade meeting, sponsored by Frontier Communications, was one of several gatherings in the week leading up to St. Patrick’s Day featuring the release of the US-Ireland Business 2019 report by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Ireland.
Speaking at the March 15 breakfast were the Honorable Simon Harris, Irish minister for health and former minister of state; Carin Bryans, vice president of AmCham Ireland and managing director of JP Morgan Ireland; and Robert O’Driscoll, consul general of Ireland to the Pacific Northwest.
The three highlighted Ireland as a transatlantic hub and gateway to the European Union.
Netherlands Looks Ahead to Post-Brexit World
(December 7, 2018) The Netherlands looks ahead to changing trade relations in Europe as the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union, the Dutch Consul General explained to a California Chamber of Commerce gathering last week.
Gerbert Kunst, Consul General at the Consulate General of the Netherlands in San Francisco, summarized for attendees at the CalChamber Council for International Trade breakfast on December 7 some of the consequences of the UK exit from the EU, including:
- Brexit is anticipated to have a negative effect on the economy, as the Netherlands and the UK have historically strong trade relations. However, it also presents opportunities to Dutch businesses as they will have certain advantages over their UK competitors that will no longer be part of the EU.
- The European Medicines Agency, comparable to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will be relocating from London to Amsterdam in 2019, along with nearly 20,000 jobs.
- Certain international companies in the UK are considering moving to mainland Europe, and the European Banking Authority will be relocating from London to Paris.
U.S. Policy Expert: Trade Talks to Open Markets Work Better Than Tariff Wars to Boost Economy, Jobs
(September 7, 2018) In an era where “trade is invading every zone,” increased tariffs on imports are the wrong way to generate prosperity for U.S. businesses, a trade policy expert told a California Chamber of Commerce gathering last week.
John Murphy, senior vice president of international policy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that the rest of the world is moving forward in areas where the United States has stepped back from trade talks.
If the United States doesn’t get back to working on opening markets to American goods and services, “we’re going to be on the outside looking in,” Murphy said at the September 7 international breakfast of the CalChamber Council for International Trade.
May 23, 2018 International Forum: California Continues to Blaze Trail in Trade
(May 29, 2018) U.S. and California politics and trade priorities, global connections and the importance of exports were the topics discussed by an international trade expert, a veteran political columnist and an economist at the recent international forum presented by the California Chamber of Commerce.
The May 23 forum, moderated by Susanne T. Stirling, CalChamber vice president of international affairs, brought together nearly 200 attendees, including representatives of the business community, CalChamber Board members, representatives of the California consular corps and foreign economic partners, plus representatives of state, local and federal governments.
Former Mexico President Policy Adviser Foresees Close Race in This Year’s Election
(March 2, 2018) The campaign to be the next President of Mexico could be a close one, the director of the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies at the University of California, San Diego told a California Chamber of Commerce breakfast audience last week.
“So far, it seems that this is going to be a very competitive election,” Professor Rafael Fernández de Castro said at the March 2 international breakfast meeting sponsored by Blue Diamond Growers.
Consul General: United Kingdom Aims to Be Champion of Global Free Trade
(December 8, 2017) Leaving the European Union is not about the United Kingdom cutting itself off from the rest of the world, British Consul General Andrew Whittaker emphasized last week in remarks to a California Chamber of Commerce audience.
Speaking at the CalChamber International Breakfast Meeting in San Francisco on December 8, Whittaker said the UK sees leaving the EU as an opportunity to develop “more ambitious” trade agreements and become “a real champion of global free trade.”
The meeting was sponsored by Shell Martinez Refinery, whose general manager, Thomas J. Rizzo, is a CalChamber Board member.
NAFTA Central to U.S. Global Economic Competitiveness, Security
(September 8, 2017) The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is at the center of the nation’s future economic competitiveness and national security, an international strategist told a California Chamber of Commerce audience last week.
NAFTA has turned the United States, Mexico and Canada into a manufacturing powerhouse, Michael C. Camuñez, president and CEO of Monarch Global Strategies, said at the CalChamber international breakfast on September 8.
May 31, 2017 – International Forum
The importance of trade and the ability of U.S. and California companies to compete more effectively in foreign markets was the topic discussed by three international trade exports at a recent international forum at the California Chamber of Commerce.
CalChamber International Trade Issues and Priorities
CalChamber Reiterates Trade Priorities for New Administration, Congress, January 24, 2017.
March 2017 – CalChamber quarterly Board Dinner – with guest speaker from the US Chamber
Myron Brilliant, executive vice president and head of international affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, explains at the CalChamber Board of Directors dinner on March 2 how various U.S. trading partners have been reacting to presidential actions and statements in the early days of the Trump administration.
December 2016 – CalChamber quarterly Board Dinner – with Consular Corps guests
Transpacific Relations Emphasized
(December 9, 2016) Australian Consul General Chris Oldfield gives an overview of trans-Pacific trade issues and the longstanding close ties between the United States and Australia at a CalChamber international breakfast meeting sponsored by CalChamber Board member Diane Miller Miller of Wilcox, Miller & Nelson. Breakfast attendees also heard from Brian Peck, deputy director of international affairs and business development at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).
‘Europe Matters’ German Marshall Fund President Emphasizes
(September 9, 2016) Europe’s importance to both the United States and California was the focus of a recent California Chamber of Commerce international breakfast.
Featured speaker Dr. Karen Donfried, president of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, emphasized to attendees at the September 9 breakfast the need to “double down” on the transatlantic relationship “because it really matters to us. It’s critical that we as the United States continue to be the leader in this relationship.”
Doing Business in Latin America: Ambassador Explains Challenges
(March 4, 2016) Observations on conditions affecting companies doing business in Latin America were presented at a recent California Chamber of Commerce breakfast gathering by Ambassador Jamal Khokhar, president and CEO of the Institute of the Americas.
The March 4 talk and question-and-answer session covered topics ranging from the economy of Brazil, to the importance of trade to the three North American Free Trade Agreement markets and the dynamic potential that Argentina represents under the new government of President Mauricio Macri.
British Consul General Priya Guha Provides European Trade Insight to Californian Business Leaders
(December 4, 2015) CalChamber Council for International Trade hosts International Breakfast Friday, December 4, featuring British Consul General Priya Guha and GO-Biz Deputy Director of International Affairs Brian Peck. Consul General Guha provided insight on California relations with the U.K. and Europe, as well as information about the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP). Brian Peck gave a brief update on the international activities of GO-Biz.
China Investors Looking to U.S. Real Estate as Safer Way to Diversify Portfolios
(September 4, 2015) California and other U.S. real estate markets are likely to see an intensification of upward trends in Chinese investment due to the recent turmoil in China stock markets, a longtime Asia expert predicted at a breakfast gathering hosted by the California Chamber of Commerce Council for International Trade.
The stock market losses suffered will likely cause Chinese citizens with money to invest to diversify their portfolios into locations such as the United States and Canada, said Dr. Bruce Pickering, vice president of global programs and executive director of Northern California for the Asia Society, at the September 4 breakfast.
Normalized Relations with Cuba Could Open Trade Opportunities for U.S., State
(March 6, 2015) The potential for changed relations with Cuba to open economic and trade opportunities for U.S. and California companies was the subject of a lively talk at the recent breakfast forum of the California Chamber of Commerce Council for International Trade.
Dr. Richard E. Feinberg, professor of international political economy at the University of California, San Diego School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, shared his expertise on the history of U.S.-Cuba relations with members of the council at the March 6 forum scheduled in conjunction with the quarterly CalChamber Board events in Santa Monica.
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Gathering Highlights Trade Link to U.S. Jobs
(December 5, 2014) The importance of trade agreements and their impact on U.S. jobs was the focus of a recent international breakfast hosted by the California Chamber of Commerce.
Nearly 40 CalChamber Board members attended the December 5 breakfast to hear Ambassador Islam Siddiqui, senior advisor, global food security at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Brian Peck, deputy director of international affairs at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).
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Canada: Top U.S. Trade Partner Also No. 1 Market for California Services
(September 5, 2014) A fact-filled look at the many connections between Canada, the United States and California was the focus of a recent breakfast gathering hosted by the California Chamber of Commerce Council for International Trade.
Consul General Cassie Doyle, Canada’s senior representative for Northern California, Nevada, Hawaii and Guam, emphasized that bilateral trade between Canada and the United States is the largest in the world, with more than $2 billion in goods and services crossing the border each day for a total of $735 billion in 2013.
More information about the Canada-California trade and investment relationship is available at calchamber.com/canada.
Federal, California Trade Policies Overview at International Breakfast
UC Professor Explains China in Transition at CalChamber Gathering
(September 17, 2013) As China’s phenomenal economic growth of the last three decades is slowing, Chinese leaders are committing to a new round of reforms, a University of California, San Diego expert recently explained to a California Chamber of Commerce audience.
Market-oriented economic reform is one of three possibly contradictory priorities for the president of China, Barry J. Naughton, UC San Diego professor of Chinese economy and chair of Chinese international affairs, said at a CalChamber international trade breakfast on September 13.
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Barry J. Naughton
Forum Showcases Economic Benefits of Exports, GO-Biz, China Trade/Tourism
(May 21, 2013) Michael Masserman of the U.S. Department of Commerce discusses the National Export Initiative at the May 21 international forum. At right is Kish Rajan, director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).
Asia Society Executive Shares Expertise at CalChamber International Breakfast Forum
(March 8, 2013) Dr. N. Bruce Pickering, executive director of the Asia Society, Northern California, gives a sweeping overview of Asian history and how it affects trade relations of Asian economies with the United States and California at an international breakfast presented by the CalChamber Council for International Trade (CCIT) on March 8. From left are CalChamber Chair Fritz Hitchcock, Hitchcock Automotive Resources; Pickering; CCIT Chair Susan Corrales-Diaz, Systems Integrated; and CCIT Vice Chair Mark Jansen, Blue Diamond Growers.
Governor’s Jobs, Business Adviser Speaks on Growth, Trade at International Forum
(May 21, 2012) Michael Rossi (left), senior adviser for jobs and business development, Office of the Governor, answers questions at a May 21 forum hosted by the CalChamber Council for International Trade, chaired by Susan Corrales-Diaz (right).
Forum attendees included nearly 150 industry leaders and representatives of California foreign trading partners
Michael Rossi (left), senior adviser for jobs and business development, Office of the Governor, answers questions at forum hosted by the CalChamber Council for International Trade, chaired by Susan Corrales-Diaz (right).
CIT Guest Speaker: Ambassador Felipe Bulnes
(April 12, 2012) Chilean Ambassador to the United States Felipe Bulnes will speak today on California and U.S.-Chilean trade relations at the California Chamber of Commerce International Luncheon Forum.
Also attending the forum will be Ambassador Gabriel Rodriguez of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Chile; Consul General of Chile in San Francisco, Rolando Ortega; Rodrigo Ballivian, general manager of the American Chamber of Commerce in Chile; Agustin Hunees, president of the Chile-California Council; and Cristobal Barros, executive secretary of the Chile-California Council.
Ambassador Highlights Importance of Strong Trade with Mexico
(March 30, 2012) U.S. Ambassador to Mexico E. Anthony Wayne discusses the importance of a strong trade relationship with Mexico at the California Chamber of Commerce International Breakfast forum.
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CIT Guest Speaker: Ambassador Charles Shapiro
CalChamber Board of Directors Hosts Representatives of Major California Trading Partners
(December 1, 2011) The CalChamber Board of Directors hosted representatives of major California trading partners at the quarterly dinner in San Francisco. Not pictured, but also in attendance were Canadian Consul General Cassie Doyle and Hong Kong Investment Director Lawrence Tang.
CIT Breakfast Speaker: Dr. Peter Cowhey
(September 9, 2011) During the September CalChamber Board of Directors meeting, the Council for International Trade held it’s semi-annual breakfast forum, featuring Dean Peter Cowhey. Dr. Cowhey spoke on the three pending free trade agreements and answered questions about how trade policy impacts California businesses.
Dr. Peter Cowhey is Dean at the UC San Diego – School of International Relations. Dean Cowhey is an expert on U.S. trade, foreign and technology policy. He has published extensively on these subjects and is an engaging speaker.Dr Cowhey is pictured with Fritz Hitchcock, Hitchcock Automotive (left) and Susan Corrales-Diaz, Chair, CIT
CalChamber Hosts Reception for Governor to Meet Consular Corps
(June 1, 2011) On June 1 and 2, the California Chamber of Commerce hosted several events in Sacramento for the California buisness and international communities. Pictured left to right: S. Shariq Yosufzai, 2011 Chair – CalChamber Board of Directors, Allan Zaremberg, President and CEO – CalChamber, and California Governor Jerry Brown.
For More Information, click here.
Calmber Hosts US Ambassador to APEC
(June 1, 2011) Ambassador Kurt Tong discusses upcoming meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) at an international forum presented by the CalChamber Council for International Trade, chaired by Susan Corrales- Diaz (left). At right is Gary J. Goldberg, council vice chair.
Chilean Ambassadors Highlight Partnership Opportunities at CalChamber Lunch
(April 15, 2011) As a global leader in multiple areas, California can provide Chile with opportunities for innovation, education and economic growth, Ambassador Fernando Schmidt, Chile’s undersecretary for foreign affairs, told guests at the California Chamber of Commerce International Luncheon yesterday. Chilean Ambassador to the United States Arturo Fermandois joined Ambassador Schmidt in expressing hopes for a successful Chile-California partnership. top story
CalChamber Hosts European Union Ambassador
(March 10, 2011) E.U. Ambassador to the United States João Vale de Almeida presented his perspectives on E.U. relations with the U.S. in response to questions from CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg and other audience members at the CalChamber-hosted International Luncheon Forum.
CalChamber Forum: Assistant Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Commerce Briefs Council for International Trade
More information can be found a www.calchamber.com/APEC
Korean Ambassador Highlights Trade Agreement at CalChamber Forum
(September 8, 2010) Final approval of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will create American jobs, His Excellency Duk-Soo Han, ambassador to the United States from the Republic of Korea, told a California Chamber of Commerce gathering last week.
CalChamber Forum: Asia-Pacific, Exports, Economic Development
(May 17, 2010) Ambassador Demetrios Marantis, deputy U.S. Trade Representative (at podium), gives an overview of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) issues at the May 17 International Forum presented by the CalChamber Council for International Trade, chaired by Susan Corrales-Diaz (second from right). Other speakers were Joel Ayala (left), executive director of the newly created Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GoED); and Suresh Kumar, Assistant Secretary for trade promotion, U.S. Department of Commerce, who spoke on the President’s National Export Initiative.
U.S. Trade Policy Focus of CalChamber Forum
(March 11, 2010) Dr. Gordon Hanson (center), director of the Center on Pacific Economies and economics professor at the University of California, San Diego, comments on trade policies of the Obama Administration and some of the related politics at the March 12 International Breakfast Forum of the CalChamber Council for International Trade, chaired by Susan Corrales-Diaz (right). At left is CalChamber Chair Larree Renda.
Business Visas, Export Controls Among Trade Topics at CIT Breakfast Meeting
(December 4, 2009) Ro Khanna (center), deputy assistant secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce, chats with Frank Washington, CEO of Moon Shot Communications, and Susan Corrales-Diaz, chair of the CalChamber Council for International Trade and president / CEO of Systems Integrated, at the CalChamber CIT meeting in San Francisco. Khanna discussed U.S. Department of Commerce trade priorities, including business visa and export controls reform, intellectual property protection, intergovernmental cooperation and trade promotion, which will help U.S. companies increase exports while setting the country on a path to long-term, sustainable growth that creates jobs here at home.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Speaks at CIT Breakfast Forum
(September 11, 2009) Providing a federal outlook on prospects for approval of free trade agreements at the CalChamber International Breakfast Forum is Carlos Gutierrez (left), former secretary of commerce for President George W. Bush, former chairman and chief executive officer of the Kellogg Company, and now senior advisor to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. At right is CCIT Vice Chair Doug Youngdahl.
U.S. Trade Official Gives Overview of Obama Trade Policies, Priorities
(May 18, 2009) Stephen P. Jacobs (left), acting assistant secretary of the International Trade Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce, outlined the trade trategies, policies and priorities of the Obama administration to more than 70 guests at a May 18 forum presented by the CalChamber Council for International Trade. Attendees included CalChamber Board members Susan Corrales-Diaz (center), council chair, and Roger Baccigaluppi.
Asia-Pacific Prospects Focus of CalChamber Gathering
(September 5, 2008) Patricia Haslach (left), U.S. ambassador to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), gives an update on international trade issues and prospects in the region at a gathering of the California Chamber of Commerce Council for International Trade, chaired by Susan Corrales-Diaz (right).
Paul Oliva, principal with Oliva Global Communications and a member of the CalChamber Council for International Trade, talks about the potential for California to host the 2011 meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
California International Trade and Investment Study
Garrett Ashley (center), California undersecretary for international trade at the state Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, discusses the state’s International Trade and Investment Study. At left is Susan Corrales-Diaz, chair of the CalChamber Council for International Trade; at right is council vice chair Doug Youngdahl.
Change in California State Trade Leadership
(September 5, 2008) Garrett Ashley, under secretary for trade for the California Business Transportation and Housing Agency (BTH), is departing in October 2008. Under Secretary Ashley has been a true “Champion for Trade.”
Under Secretary Ashley’s successor will be Brain McGowan, deputy secretary for economic development at BTH. McGowan has a team that looks forward to incorporating international trade into its portfolio. The team has indicated a real interest and understanding of international trade and is anxious to continue to move the issue forward.
Here is a link to an “open” letter sent to Under Secretary Garrett Ashley as a means of expressing CalChamber CIT support for continuing the state’s activities in the international arena.