International Trade Administration’s Post

In 2024, ITA made significant strides in promoting U.S. businesses and workers, strengthening supply chains, and driving innovation in international trade. Through these efforts, the U.S. has underscored its leadership in manufacturing, travel & tourism, technology, and many other areas. Read about ITA’s 2024 key accomplishments and how these efforts enhanced U.S. economic security and inclusive economic opportunities: https://lnkd.in/gxUaubY5

Looking back at 2024, International Trade Administration made huge strides to strengthen U.S. economic security and promote inclusive economic opportunities. Check out ITA's Year-in-Review for our achievements on strengthening U.S. competitiveness across international markets, including: 🌏 Strengthening American Supply Chains 🏭 Promoting Strong Trade Enforcement for U.S. Businesses and Workers 🤝 Strengthening Economic Cooperation with Indo-Pacific Nations 🛂 Strengthening Outbound Investment Security 🧳 Surpassing Travel and Tourism Goals Looking Ahead: ITA will continue to empower U.S. businesses and workers to compete and succeed globally, while fostering innovation and ensuring a level playing field in international trade. https://lnkd.in/ecuBcyBM

Under the leadership and vision of President Biden, 2024 was a year of incredible progress at the International Trade Administration (ITA). Together, we worked to drive innovation, strengthen U.S. businesses, and build a more resilient global economy. Here’s how ITA delivered on this vision: 💡 Strengthening Supply Chains: - Launched SCALE, a pioneering risk assessment tool evaluating 400+ critical industries (AI, quantum computing, hydrogen!). - Hosted the first-ever Supply Chain Summit with 3,700+ participants. Secured game-changing commitments through the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement. ⚖️ Promoting Trade Enforcement: - Administered 700+ AD/CVD orders, a record effort to combat unfair trade practices. - Launched the Global Scrap Monitor for steel and aluminum transparency. 🌏 Enhancing Indo-Pacific Cooperation: - Facilitated $23B in sustainable infrastructure investments during the Clean Economy Investor Forum. - Advanced agreements with 14 IPEF nations to build stronger, fairer supply chains. 🚀 Modernizing Export and Investment Promotion: - Introduced tools like the Global Business Navigator and Exporter Roadmap. Supported 93,000 U.S. clients (80% small businesses!) and facilitated $109B in exports—creating 320,000 jobs. 🔐 Securing Outbound Investments: - Established the Outbound Investment Security Program to address risks in sensitive technologies. ✈️ Bolstering U.S. Travel and Tourism: - Advanced the National Travel and Tourism Strategy, positioning the U.S. to attract 90M international visitors annually by 2026—a year ahead of schedule! As I prepare to move on from this chapter of my career, I couldn’t be more proud of what the ITA team has accomplished. Their dedication, creativity, and commitment to advancing U.S. economic interests have been nothing short of inspiring. I know this incredible team will continue to deliver innovative solutions and drive real impact for American businesses and workers. It has been an honor to contribute to this mission, and I’ll always carry with me the lessons learned and the relationships built during my time here. https://lnkd.in/eyBBn9hT

#ExportSuccess | The International Trade Administration (ITA) announced a series of new initiatives to advance U.S. #competitiveness and #trade in the digital economy. These initiatives will provide tailored #resources for U.S. businesses to leverage and will help strengthen U.S. #leadership in the digital economy.

2000 Years Later ! Did you know The Old Silk Road rules still shapes the modern international trade? The Silk Road, a vast network of trade routes that connected East and West over 2,000 years ago, laid the foundation for today’s global trade. More than a conduit for silk, spices, and goods, it was a channel for cultural exchange, technological innovation, and economic growth. Today, the principles of the Silk Road—global connectivity, economic collaboration, and cross-cultural exchange—continue to influence modern trade. How the Silk Road Parallels Modern Trade Networks - Global Interconnectedness. Just as the Silk Road connected distant empires, today’s trade networks link economies worldwide through complex supply chains. The Silk Road pioneered the idea of economic cooperation that now underpins modern international agreements. - Cultural and Knowledge Exchange. The Silk Road facilitated the spread of ideas, religion, and art between cultures. Similarly, today’s trade fosters cross-cultural connections, introducing new technologies, ideas,and lifestyles across borders. - Infrastructure and Logistics. The Silk Road relied on intricate logistics to cross deserts and mountains—just as modern trade relies on advanced infrastructure like ports, railroads, and digital tracking. Initiatives like China’s Belt and Road reflect the ancient route’s legacy by enhancing connectivity across continents. - Economic Development. Silk Road cities like Samarkand thrived as trade hubs, much like cities today benefit economically from trade. International agreements and open markets drive regional growth, job creation, and development, following the Silk Road’s example. -Adaptability and Innovation. Traders on the Silk Road adapted to changing markets and political landscapes. This adaptability remains key in today’s trade, especially in the face of global supply chain disruptions and shifting demands. -Building Trust. The Silk Road’s success depended on relationships and trust between merchants—a lesson still vital today for companies and countries in maintaining reliable trade partnerships. The Silk Road’s legacy lives on in modern international trade, inspiring global connectivity and economic collaboration. It reminds us that trade’s true impact lies beyond economic exchange; it’s about bridging cultures, fostering growth, and creating lasting connections.

Congratulations to the WTO on Its Official 30th Anniversary! On this January 1, 2025, we celebrate three decades of the World Trade Organization (WTO) , an institution that has been a cornerstone of building a more efficient, fair, and transparent international trade system since its founding. Over these 30 years, the WTO has solidified its role as a promoter of multilateral cooperation, innovation, and economic integration. As we mark this milestone, it is essential to highlight the thematic convergences between the WTO and ASAPRA, a strategic partner that shares the same values and goals for a robust and sustainable global trade system. Here are 10 shared priorities that unite their missions and underscore the importance of this strategic alignment: 1. Trade Facilitation Both the WTO and ASAPRA are committed to reducing obstacles and simplifying processes to ensure smoother and less bureaucratic trade flows. 2. Regulatory Harmonization They work toward aligning rules and practices to create a predictable and transparent global trade environment that benefits operators across different regions. 3. Economic Inclusion Both organizations aim to integrate small operators and emerging economies into the global trade system, fostering equity in international exchanges. 4. Modernization and Digitalization The WTO and ASAPRA advocate for adopting innovative technologies like electronic certificates and interconnected systems to accelerate and simplify trade operations. 5. Sustainability in Trade Both entities are committed to promoting environmentally respectful trade practices and greener supply chains. 6. Technical Training and Development They prioritize capacity-building initiatives through training and technical support, empowering economic operators to thrive in a rapidly evolving market. 7. Supply Chain Resilience Recognizing global challenges, both organizations strive to ensure secure and efficient supply chains, even in adverse scenarios. 8. Transparency in Operations The WTO and ASAPRA advocate for clear and predictable trade processes, enhancing trust among global trade actors. 9. Multisectoral Partnerships They promote collaboration among governments, the private sector, and international organizations to foster more integrated and efficient trade systems. 10. Continuous Innovation and Transformation Both organizations are committed to ongoing modernization, adapting to new global demands, and leading transformations in international trade. A Strategic Convergence As we celebrate the WTO’s 30th anniversary, we also recognize the value of synergies with strategic partners like ASAPRA. These thematic convergences underscore the role of both institutions in shaping a more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive global trade system. Congratulations to the WTO on three decades of leadership and progress in international trade! Here’s to many more years of innovation and multilateral cooperation.

I thought you might like the key takeaways from the Joint Statement of the First In-Person Meeting of the Trade Ministers of the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (August 1, 2024): 1. Commitment to Economic Integration and Trade:   - The participating countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic ties through the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP), complementing existing trade agreements and supporting regional integration. 2. Support for the Rules-Based Multilateral Trading System:   - The ministers emphasized the importance of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in providing predictability for businesses and promoting sustainable economic growth. 3. Focus on Labor, Environment, and Inclusion:   - New committees on Trade and Labor, and Trade and Environment were established to ensure that trade practices reflect values like labour rights, environmental sustainability, and economic inclusion. 4. Experts Dialogue on Trade Facilitation:   - The first annual Experts Dialogue on Trade Facilitation was held in Bogotá, focusing on key WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement obligations like pre-arrival processing and border agency cooperation. A Declaration on Good Practices for Pre-Arrival Processing was adopted to enhance the implementation of these practices. 5. Stakeholder Engagement:   - The statement highlighted the importance of dialogue between government officials and stakeholders to address intra-regional trade challenges and integrate stakeholder feedback into the Partnership’s work. 6. Action Plan for Upcoming Months:   - The ministers directed senior officials to advance several initiatives, including:    - Preparing a compendium on trade facilitation discussions (by October 1).    - Completing a survey on digital and electronic signatures to improve border processes (by August 15).    - Sharing an inclusive trade inventory to support SMEs (by September 15).    - Convening discussions on trade, environment, and trade and labour (by November 1).    - Fostering regional value and supply chains, starting with the medical device sector.    - Developing a program to share regulatory practices by 2025. 7. Acknowledgment and Future Meetings:   - The ministers thanked Ecuador for hosting the meeting and committed to continuing their work before the next Leaders’ Summit in Costa Rica. I hope you find this information useful 😃 ____ ____ I appreciate you stopping by 🙌🏻 . My name is Leslie Levy August, and I am a Global Services Specialist, Advisor, Investor, and Growth Architect. Would you like to be notified when I publish informative content? Hit 🔔. #economic #TradeIntegration #SustainableTrade #InclusiveEconomy #RegionalCooperation

🌍 Despite rising global tensions, recent trade agreements offer a glimmer of hope for cooperation. 🤝 According to the World Economic Forum, here are the key takeaways: 1. Global Cooperation Trends: The World Economic Forum's Global Cooperation Barometer highlights a shift towards rivalry and conflict, but trade remains a beacon of cooperation amidst these challenges. 2. Trade Deals as Cooperation Examples: Despite skepticism, major trade accords have been achieved, showcasing the feasibility of collaboration. 3. Trade Deal Examples: From digital partnerships to comprehensive free trade agreements, recent deals like the EU-Singapore Digital Partnership and the India-EFTA Free Trade Agreement demonstrate the potential for mutual benefit and growth. 4. Potential Benefits and Effects: These agreements aim to lower barriers, expand markets, and drive economic prosperity, offering hope for addressing complex global issues through collaboration. In a world marked by uncertainty, these trade treaties illustrate the power of cooperation to promote progress and stability. 🌟 #GlobalCooperation #TradeAgreements #Collaboration #EconomicGrowth 🌐 ____ ____ I appreciate you stopping by 🙌🏻. I am Leslie Levy August, a Global Services Specialist, Advisor, Investor, and Growth Architect. Would you like to be notified when I publish informative content? Hit 🔔. https://lnkd.in/ggSgYiFU

Asia-Pacific free trade pacts have been a big success for the U.S. (Bilahari Kausikan and Steven Okun for Nikkei Asia) At a dinner party last year, we got to discussing how 2024 was the 20th anniversary of the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and that this is a prime example of how "trade is strategy" and that FTAs tie together geopolitics and economics for the U.S. This led to Bilahari Kausikan, former Permanent Secretary at Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and I to co-author an Op Ed for Nikkei Asia highlighting how Washington's FTAs with Australia on the south side of the Indo-Pacific, Singapore in the center and South Korea in the north, give the U.S. a key advantage in its competition with China. Recognizing that the U.S. has admittedly experienced downsides from trade and globalization, especially in relation to China, which have effectively made trade a four-letter word in domestic politics, we write that those downsides have not come from Washington's FTAs with Australia, South Korea and Singapore and that those who want to see the U.S. competing with China from a position of strength should push for the next administration to make the opening of FTA talks with new regional partners and allies a priority. https://lnkd.in/gR24PdYE McLarty Associates APAC Advisors (Singapore)

The current decade has posed significant challenges to proponents of global trade, finance, and investment, as protectionism and nationalism have slowed the flow of goods and services across borders. Latin America, including #Brazil, exemplifies these challenges. Despite some progress, the region is hampered by poor infrastructure, complex customs procedures, and high trade barriers. Improving port efficiency is critical for economic growth and competitiveness. Brazil’s ports, including Santos and Itaquí, serve as models for modernization and expansion. Streamlining customs, investing in transportation infrastructure, and adopting new technologies are key strategies for enhancing performance. Sustainable practices and regional cooperation can further bolster these efforts. Jerry Haar, Global Fellow at the The Wilson Center and Professor of International Business at Florida International University, provides an insightful analysis of these issues. https://lnkd.in/enT_s4wJ