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  • USTR Froman & Congressman Meeks Highlight JFK Internat'l Airport as Hub for Internat'l Trade, Combat Illegal Wildlife Traffickin

    • Combating Illegal Wildlife Trafficking Incorporated in Trade Agenda

    June 16, 2014

    AMF-JFKNew York, NY – U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Rep. Gregory Meeks (NY-5) today toured facilities at John F. Kennedy International Airport that serve to keep trade safe and help combat illegal trafficking in wildlife. At the event, Ambassador Froman and Congressman Meeks emphasized the benefits of President Obama’s trade agenda and highlighted the role that JFK International Airport plays in exporting Made-in-America goods while supporting high quality, local jobs.

    “President Obama’s trade agenda will unlock opportunity by boosting Made-in-America exports to the world, supporting jobs, growing our economy, and strengthening the American Middle Class,” said Ambassador Froman. “Major export hubs like JFK International Airport make an invaluable contribution to the United States economy while also working to help keep trade safe. Today we got a first-hand look at the work officials at JFK are doing to bolster the fight against international illegal trafficking in wildlife, which is a priority in two of the largest trade agreements we are negotiating and part of the Obama Administration’s broader strategy to combat wildlife trafficking.”

    “I greatly appreciate Ambassador Froman taking time out of his demanding schedule for a tour of the John F. Kennedy International Airport, and a roundtable at York College,” said Representative Meeks. “Ambassador Froman was able to see first-hand the efforts at the airport to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and intercept the pirating of intellectual property. The tour highlighted JFK Airport as a critical link between the increased trade activity that USTR pushes for and the security and commercial interests of our nation.”

    “The high demand for wildlife products is having a devastating impact, with iconic species like elephants and rhinos facing the risk of significant decline or even extinction,” said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, who planned to participate but was unable to attend due to travel complications. “The President's strategy to combat wildlife trafficking, including decreasing demand at home and abroad, is important to strengthen our nation's leadership on countering the global security threat posed by the criminal markets that encourage poaching and illegal trade.”
     
    Illegal international trafficking in wildlife has escalated in recent years, including due to increased demand for items like rhino horn and elephant ivory in Asia. This is a global crisis that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is working to address by expanding efforts to fight illegal wildlife trafficking in the Trans-Pacific Partnership with the Asia Pacific region and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union. International wildlife trafficking poses a threat to global security because it involves criminal elements of all kinds, including some terrorist entities.

    A fact sheet concerning trade, illegal wildlife trafficking, and national security is available here.

    For information about how trade effects the lives of everyday American businesses, follow us on twitter @USTradeRep, and U.S. Trade Representative Froman @MikeFroman.