On Tuesday, Ambassador Kirk invited leaders from the United States Hispanic Chambers of Commerce to participate in a briefing about the U.S. trade agreements with Colombia and Panama. They also discussed President Obama’s trip to Latin America in March and his broader trade agenda. During the briefing, held via conference call, Ambassador Kirk gave opening remarks and answered questions. Additionally, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Miriam Sapiro, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for the Western Hemisphere John Melle, and Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Latin America Bennett Harman participated in the conference call.
The trade agreements with Colombia and Panama are part of the Obama Administration’s robust trade agenda to support jobs for American workers and to help the U.S. leadership in the global economy. The agreements will provide the opportunity for American manufacturers, service providers, farmers and ranchers to sell more goods and services around the world and support more jobs here at home. During the briefing participants asked questions about the trade agreements, export opportunities in Latin America, progress on the cross-border trucking with Mexico and the role of small businesses in international trade.
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has local chambers throughout the country and represents 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States. Members from local chambers throughout the U.S. participated in the briefing.
