The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National District Export Council successfully hosted the Fourth International Trade Symposium in Washington, DC. The Symposium was an annual event that is designed for small business exporters as an educational platform and engagement opportunity on key trade policy initiatives. This year the Symposium focused on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The Symposium was open to the public. In this year’s International Trade Symposium, attendees enjoyed listening to several aspects of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and joined discussions with the experts, industry representatives and with the officials at the key organizations in the U.S. and Vietnam government. Agenda of the Fourth International Trade Symposium was as in the following: Welcome by Philip Pittsford – National DEC, Chair Emeritus Opening Remarks by Mr. Vu Le Thai Hoang, Minister Counselor and Chief Political Officer, Embassy of Vietnam to the U.S. Panel: The Arguments for the Trans-Pacific Partnership: A Sector Focus – Jim Fatheree (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) – moderator – Manufacturing: Ken Monahan (National Association of Manufacturers) – Financial Services and Insurance: Christine Bliss (Coalition of Service Industries) – Agriculture: Dave Salmonsen (American Farm Bureau Federation – AFBF) Panel: Engaging Employees, Suppliers, Customers and Community on Trans-Pacific Partnership – Christopher Wenk (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) – moderator – Leslie Griffin (UPS) – Katie Hays (Caterpillar) – Susanne Stirling (California Chamber of Commerce) Keynote Remarks by Drew Quinn, Deputy Chief Negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, U.S. Trade Representative
