Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves addressed the National Association of District Export Councils’ Annual Export Conference on May 13, 2024. He expressed his gratitude to Jonathan, Vice-Chair Anne Burkett, and their team for organizing the event. He also acknowledged the significant role played by the District Export Councils (DECs) in promoting understanding of exporting value and providing essential support to local trade ecosystems.
Graves reflected on the evolution of U.S. exports, noting that from $126 billion in goods and services exported in 1974, U.S. exports topped $3 trillion in 2023. He emphasized that DECs' engagement in trade promotion activities is invaluable to the Department of Commerce.
The Deputy Secretary discussed challenges faced by trade and U.S. competitiveness in recent years, including supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by the pandemic and geopolitical struggles such as Russia's aggression in Ukraine. He highlighted aggressive efforts by adversaries like China to control supply chains and exploit chokepoints, posing threats to national security.
He affirmed President Biden and Vice President Harris's commitment to strengthening trade relationships since day one of their administration. They recognized these threats to economic security and have taken bold steps to address them, empowering the Department of Commerce as a central solution provider.
Graves outlined two key strategies: building resilient supply chains with allies and ensuring safety and security within tech ecosystems where companies operate, innovate, trade, and attract investment.
He elaborated on efforts towards building resilient supply chains through initiatives like the Council on Supply Chain Resilience and Supply Chain Center. These efforts aim at developing rapid reaction capabilities for real-time resolution of supply chain crises.
In addition to this, he noted that the Administration is eliminating America’s dependency on adversaries that could threaten national security and hinder economic competitiveness, particularly in critical technologies such as semiconductors.
The Deputy Secretary highlighted historic investments made by the Administration towards American competitiveness amounting to $1 trillion. These investments are aimed at enabling the U.S. to compete and win in the 21st-century global economy, focusing on clean energy, place-based economic development, and technological innovation.
Graves also emphasized the need for safety and security within tech ecosystems. The Department of Commerce is focused on countering malign actors that undermine economic and national security and hamper private sector growth. Measures taken include updated cybersecurity frameworks, export controls on sensitive goods, software, and technology, as well as intellectual property protection.
Lastly, Graves announced that Trade Winds, the largest federal government trade mission for U.S. Commercial Service staff each year, and the 2025 Trade Winds Business Forum will be hosted in Sao Paolo, Brazil with mission stops in Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile.
