At the recent Society of American Business Editors and Writers (SABEW) Spring Conference 2015, Secretary Pritzker shared her latest efforts to promote global trade relations, including her recent presidential Trade Mission to China and an update on the Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability (TPA) Act of 2015.

Most recently, Secretary Pritzker and Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall led a trade mission to China with 24 outstanding U.S. firms that represent the gold standard in clean energy to encourage more American companies to supplement China’s existing capabilities and to play a bigger role in China’s clean energy future. The mission was an opportunity to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to a strong and constructive U.S.-China relationship. The China Trade Mission was successful in starting a dialogue surrounding the current challenges facing U.S. businesses trying to export to China and identifying additional market opportunities for companies.

Secretary Pritzker also discussed the progress of TPA legislation, which was recently introduced in Congress last week. In today’s global economy, American prosperity is directly tied to our ability to reach new markets and new customers beyond our borders. The TPA bill establishes a process to negotiate new trade deals, while simultaneously outlining Congressional priorities for the Administration to follow on these agreements. This legislation is good for America’s businesses and America’s workers as it would provide free trade with 65 percent of the world GDP and allow U.S. businesses to enter these foreign markets on a level playing field.

SABEW attracted some of the nation’s top journalists focused on business, economic or financial journalism. Secretary Pritzker’s discussion was moderated by Melissa Harris, business columnist for the Chicago Tribune.