Global (English)

State Department visits Memphis

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“Foreign policy is economic policy,” said Charles Rivkin, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs to business leaders at the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce. ”Trade is not just global, it benefits local businesses. Even though 98% of America’s businesses are SMEs, only 1% export. By negotiating new trade agreements, our key is to help SMEs at the same time.”

Rivkin also visited overnight operations at the FedEx World Hub saying FedEx is one of ‘America’s greatest trade ambassadors’ as the company has grown based on the principles of open markets and open skies.

The Secretary’s visit highlights the critical importance trade is to Tennessee, where over $40 Billion in exports continue to support jobs and opportunity throughout the state where over half of Tennessee exports go to countries with existing free trade agreements.