(April 2, 2009) The California Chamber of Commerce emphasized the importance of exports to the economic recovery of California and the nation in a congratulatory letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke last week, shortly after the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed his appointment.
In a position paper accompanying the letter from CalChamber President Allan Zaremberg, the CalChamber pointed out that the Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce is an indispensable resource for California as it strives to increase its exports, invigorate its economy and create meaningful jobs.
Almost every industrialized country has much higher per capita expenditures on export expansion than the United States, the CalChamber noted. Many nations provide subsidies to their beginning or small and medium-sized exporters.
The CalChamber is hopeful that appropriate funding will be available to make the U.S. Commercial Service and export assistance a core part of the economic recovery package. Export assistance is an essential tool in economic recovery. Helping U.S. firms find foreign buyers for products and services and finalize those sales delivers direct stimulus to retain or expand employment.
As President Barack Obama’s commerce secretary, Locke will work to foster and promote American economic development at home, and will be an influential ambassador for American business and industry abroad.
Locke, the first Chinese American to serve as commerce secretary, will oversee a department that, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is charged with expanding the country’s broadband infrastructure, bringing economic development to communities hardest hit by the recession and putting Americans to work under programs run by the Census, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
The CalChamber supports free trade worldwide, expansion of international trade and investment, fair and equitable market access for California products abroad and elimination of disincentives that impede the international competitiveness of California businesses.
Nominee Comments
While speaking to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on March 18, Locke reiterated his belief in fair trade and his faith in the U.S. economy.
“We must look over the horizon and prepare for the new economy that will emerge when this recession passes,” Locke told the committee. “More than free trade, I believe in fair trade.”
At his confirmation hearing Locke said that he intends to reduce the trade deficit, open new markets and direct resources to saving jobs and boosting economic growth.
Gary Locke
Locke was elected the 21st governor of the state of Washington in 1996, making him the first Chinese American governor in U.S. history and the first Asian American governor on the mainland. In 2000, Locke as overwhelmingly re-elected to a second term. He served as chair of the Democratic Governors Association and gave the Democratic response to the State of the Union address in 2003.
Locke is widely praised in Washington state for winning a nationwide competition to bring to the state the production of Boeing’s newest jetliner, the 787, which created thousands of jobs in Washington, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Locke successfully aligned leaders from state, county and local government, businesses and unions, communities and tribes in this comprehensive, successful effort.
Locke launched Washington’s Competitiveness Council with business and labor leaders working together to position the state for success at home and around the world. During the eight years of his administration, the state gained 280,000 jobs.
Staff Contact: Susanne Stirling