Made In America: New Leadership with a New Focus
SBA Office of Manufacturing and Trade
Our mission is to enhance the ability of small businesses to compete in the global marketplace.
LEAD STORY
SBA Welcomes Administrator Kelly Loeffler
On February 20th, Kelly Loeffler was sworn in as the 28th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. She will serve as the voice for America's 34 million small businesses in President Donald Trump's cabinet. Read more here.
IN THE NEWS
Small Business Input Requested for President's America First Trade Policy
On Day One, President Trump announced his America First Trade Policy. It lays out the vision to protect American manufacturers and empower American innovators. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler's Day One Memo further declared SBA's commitment to "supporting the America First agenda by rebuilding American supply chains and investing in manufacturing to strengthen our economy and national security." Administrator Loeffler committed her agency to "promoting economic independence, job creation, and fair-trade practices to power the next blue-collar boom."
Pursuant to the America First Trade Policy Presidential Memorandum and the Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs Presidential Memorandum, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a Federal Register Notice on February 20, 2025, and invites comments from the public to assist with implementation. We are encouraging U.S. small businesses to provide their comments on a country-by-country basis to help the USTR in reviewing and identifying any unfair trade practices by other countries. The information provided by the public, including small businesses, will assist the USTR in recommending appropriate actions to remedy such practices and report to the President proposed remedies in pursuit of reciprocal trade relations.
Comments in response to the USTR's Federal Register Notice can be submitted at the USTR's Public Docket by March 11, 2025. For alternatives to online submission, please contact Catherine Gibson, Deputy Assistant USTR for Monitoring and Enforcement at 202-395-5725.
Calling All Inventors and Manufacturers!
Do you have a new design that you'd like to manufacture or are you looking for a new supplier? Under Administrator Loeffler, SBA is working to empower "Made in America" manufacturing. SBA programs have already powered tens of thousands of America's small business manufacturers. SBA also partners with the U.S. Department of Commerce's Supplier Scouting service to assist U.S. small businesses in identifying domestic suppliers with capabilities from across the country. If your small business could benefit from a no-cost national search to identify a new supplier or contract manufacturer, please complete the Supplier Scouting Opportunity Synopsis Form. Instructions are available in the Supplier Scouting Playbook and Scouting@NIST.gov.
SBA's International Trade Loan, combined with business counseling, can also help you plan for the technology, improvements, investments, or real estate necessary to reshore or build out your remanufacturing capabilities. To connect to further assistance, contact International@SBA.gov.
ICYMI
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 11, 2025
This is an interactive training, allowing you to complete an export readiness assessment for your company, and learn the tools and resources available to enhance your company's readiness to grow globally.
March 20, 2025
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Did you know the best way to boost your bottom line is to look outside our US borders? Selling internationally can help protect you from the ebbs and flows of one domestic market while granting you access to more buyers. Learn about access to markets, grants, and capital to help your small business enter the global marketplace!
March 20, 2025
While you don't need to be an expert in legal and tax matters, it's advisable to seek professional assistance in these areas. However, understanding some fundamental concepts is essential. Join us to familiarize yourself with relevant terminology that will help you engage more effectively with qualified international tax and accounting experts during your company's initial years of international expansion.
March 18-20, 2025
The 27th annual conference will be offered in-person in Washington, DC and includes keynote speakers, plenary sessions, breakouts, roundtables, and an exhibit hall. Topics will include regulatory updates, recent export enforcement investigations, compliance guidance, and more. A draft agenda is forthcoming, and registration is $1,750 per person.
March 25, 2025
Having trouble securing capital to meet your small business exporting needs? You can use SBA's international trade finance programs to cover short-term and long-term costs. Join this webinar to learn everything you need to know about SBA's financing programs and how to connect with your local Export Finance Manager.
TRADE MISSIONS
April 3-11, 2025 | Sao Paulo, Brazil
Join the U.S. Commerical Service in Brazil for Trade Winds, the largest U.S. government-led trade mission and business development forum. Trade Winds 2025 will feature meetings with U.S. commercial diplomats from over 15 countries in the Americas, exciting conference programming, and plenty of networking. "Forum Only" registration is available now for $750 per person now through March 1, all other activities are on a waiting list.
Summer Fancy Foods Show 2025 New York City
June 27-28, 2025 | Food Export Northeast and Midwest
June 29 - July 1, 2025 | Southern US Trade Association (SUSTA)
SUSTA Registration Deadline: March 29
The Summer Fancy Food Show is a competitive international tradeshow, traditionally the largest event solely focused on the specialty food industry in the US. It is known for featuring new and trendy food products and is a major platform for creating brand awareness and sales traction for emerging and established brands alike.
May 18-23, 2025 | Register by March 21
Explore market opportunities in North Africa by engaging in business meetings, networking events, and site visits within a growing export destination. Western U.S. exports to Morocco are valued at over $134 million, reflecting a 67% increase in the current year compared to the previous period. Participants will participate in market briefings delivered by U.S. officials, one-on-one business meetings, site visits, and personalized consultations.
CONTACT US!
Questions? Contact OIT’s International Trade Hotline via email at international@sba.gov or call 855-722-4877.
Inventor and Entrepreneur
1moDefinitely excited to have a leader concerned on bringing manufacturing to America. As Kelly stated in her Fox Interview, it’s national security.
I advocate 📈growth and prosperity for 🇺🇸American Manufacturers. 🚀
1moCongratulations on this new role and joining the mission to bring American manufacturing back.