Washington Council on International Trade
13th Annual Senators' Trade Conference
Maintaining Washington State's Competitiveness in Uncertain Times
Friday, October 24, 2008
7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Seattle Sheraton Hotel
1400 6th Avenue
Seattle, Washington
Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell
presented
Washington Council on International Trade's
13th Annual Senators' Conference
Maintaining Washington State's Competitiveness in Uncertain Times
Friday, October 24, 2008 • 7:30 am - 2:00 pm
Sheraton Seattle Hotel
1400 6th Avenue
Seattle, Washington
National policymakers and influential business leaders discussed the biggest challenges to America's international competitiveness that will impact
Washington's future economic growth:
• How will the fallout from the financial crisis on Wall Street impact relations with our trading partners? • Will the next Trade Representative have a mandate to negotiate new trade agreements? • Can Washington State's Ports remain competitive against increasing international competition? • How will America’s ballooning national debt hinder critical infrastructure development and other domestic spending needs needed to keep our economy globally competitive?
Speakers Included:
U.S. Senator Patty Murray
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell
U.S. Representative Adam Smith
Ms. Anne Kim, Director, Middle Class Program, Third Way
Mr. Ed Gresser, Author, Freedom from Want and Director, Trade and Global Markets Project, Progressive Policy Institute
Representative from the office of Homeland Security
Numerous Business and Community Leaders
Additional topics discussed:
- How will our trade agenda be impacted by global challenges such as increasing energy demand and climate change?
- Dealing with the most difficult but critical challenges for U.S. competitiveness: education and health care reform, workforce preparation, immigration policy and H-1B visa reform
- Emerging trends in balancing global business transportation efficiency with the need for secure borders
- Thoughtful ideas about what we can do better to ensure more of our fellow Washingtonians realize the benefits that global commercial engagement brings to our communities