U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2009)

Department of Commerce

AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY
Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke
Remarks at the National District Export Council Conference
Washington, D.C.

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That's why business visa reform is my second trade priority.

The United States often makes it too difficult for foreign company executives to enter here to do business--a shortcoming that has had a tangible cost for American businesses by shutting out some of their best customers.

For example, the Association of Equipment Manufacturer Executives has reported that its members lose one in three Chinese buyers invited to attend major U.S. trade shows because their visas are denied--even though many of them have previously visited the United States on buying missions without incident.

And Boeing recently had to delay the delivery of a $250 million freighter because an inspector from the Chinese aviation authority didn't receive his visa on time.

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We need to use every lever of the U.S. government to promote our exports.

Whether that involves our State Department writing a letter on behalf of an American company that wants to do business in Russia, or our Department of Energy helping to facilitate renewable energy partnerships between US companies and the Chinese government, every federal department has a role to play in promoting American business.

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