Today, Ambassador Kirk spoke at an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum as part of the 2011 APEC Road Show. Ambassador Kirk spoke with local business and government leaders, including Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, about how APEC can help increase exports and create jobs. He highlighted three areas that the U.S. is working on to build towards a seamless regional economy: strengthening economic integration and expanding trade; promoting green growth; and advancing regulatory cooperation and convergence. He also discussed ways that USTR is working to reduce barriers for small- and medium-sized businesses to help them increase exports to the region.
After the breakfast discussion, Ambassador Kirk hosted a roundtable with local business leaders where he highlighted ways in which USTR is working to help Chicago businesses increase their exports. He said the National Export Initiative is a key part of President Obama's plan to win the future, because it focuses on helping U.S. businesses and workers out-innovate and out-sell our global competitors. Chicago is the 7th largest exporting metropolitan area in the United States. Increasing exports from Chicago will support more jobs in Illinois and across America.
