Trade Group Calls for Continued Focus of Commerce on International Cooperation on Cross-border trade
December 4, 2008, Phoenix, AZ - Yesterday, President-elect Barack Obama announced the nomination of a third border-state elected official, Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM), to lead the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce). The Border Trade Alliance (BTA), as the leading tri-national organization representing more than 2 million stakeholders involved in border communities and trade, is encouraged by the strong representation of U.S. border states in President-elect Obama’s cabinet - a trend that points to the possibility of better inter-agency cooperation in improving North American border policies and furthering trade relations with Canada and Mexico. On Monday, Senator Hillary Clinton of New York and Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona were announced as the respective nominees to lead the U.S. Departments of State (State) and Homeland Security (DHS).
The BTA strongly encourages Governor Richardson and the Obama Administration to continue and expand the current focus at Commerce in strengthening cross-border trade and commerce between the United States, Canada and Mexico. In April, outgoing Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez addressed the significance of NAFTA trade and Commerce’s role as part of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) in strengthening it as a pillar of our national economy in a keynote speech before the BTA International Conference in Washington, D.C. SPP is the tri-national effort established in 2005 between the United States, Canada and Mexico to increase security and enhance economic prosperity of North America.
“This is a time that we believe that regional trade and regional competitiveness is as important as it has ever been and the focus on our borders could not be more timely,” noted Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, “Securing and facilitating legitimate travel and trade across common borders with our SPP partners will help build a safer, more competitive and economically dynamic North America.”
With nearly $800 billion in annual cross-border economic activity at stake, the BTA has continued to advocate for federal agencies, such as Commerce, State and DHS, to increase inter-agency cooperation as well as outreach toward their counterparts in Canada and Mexico to enhance North American competitiveness in global trade. In directing Commerce, Governor Richardson will become the leading economic diplomat of the Obama Administration. With international trade generating nearly one-third of U.S. GDP, improved relations with the two largest markets for U.S. goods is vital to sustain important industries such as manufacturing and agriculture as well the more than 12 million U.S. jobs dependent upon trade.
“I am optimistic. With these nominations, we now have the opportunity for collaboration among federal agencies for the protection of both our physical and economic security.” – Erin Ward, Chair of the BTA.
The BTA calls upon Congress, in its oversight capacity, and incoming Administration officials, such as Governor Richardson, to develop a comprehensive strategy to manage the difficult challenges and seize upon the tremendous economic opportunities at our shared borders with Canada and Mexico.
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