According to the Global Intellectual Property Center, about $5.5 trillion worth of trademarks, copyrights, and patents form the building blocks of our economy. The businesses that own those trademarks employ about 18 million Americans. U.S. free trade efforts are vital for maintaining an environment that safeguards those American jobs and supports the U.S. economy. Ambassador Kirk works to build upon and expand existing markets, supporting job growth in high-tech fields in California and across the United States.
Today, Ambassador Kirk joined David Drummond, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Google, for a tour of Google’s facilities in Mountain View, California. After touring the campus, he hosted a technology panel discussion with Silicon Valley executives to discuss a variety of critical issues for the technology industry. Panelists included executives from Google, Gilead Sciences, Microsoft, BayBio, OnLive, and Facebook.
Web live by Google, this morning’s panel discussion focused on innovation and trade policies. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of exports in growing the U.S. economy and creating American jobs. During the discussion, he reaffirmed the Administration’s firm commitment to the enforcement of global trade agreements and the development of new trade opportunities. Also discussed were the Trans-Pacific Partnership, U.S. market initiatives in China, and intellectual property concerns.
Ambassador Kirk leads a trade and technology discussion at Google
