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Dec212015

U.S.-China Joint Fact Sheet on the 26th U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

Trade and InvestmentU.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)
As recognized by the joint Presidential Economic Fact Sheet issued during President Xi’s State Visit to the United States: “The United States and China highly value the important role the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) plays in promoting bilateral economic relations and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.”

Dec172015

Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker on the Confirmation of Steve Haro as Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs

About the U.S. Department of CommerceSteve Haro
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker issued the following statement on the confirmation of Steve Haro as Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs. In that role, Mr. Haro will serve as principal advisor on all matters before Congress, including managing the Department’s relationships with its 19 congressional committees of jurisdiction across the Department’s...

Dec172015

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One Year Later: Reflecting on a New Chapter in U.S.-Cuba Relations

Trade and InvestmentCubaCommercial DiplomacyPenny Pritzker
On December 17, 2014 President Obama made the historic announcement that the United States would no longer be held captive by the past and would instead move toward normalizing relations with the island of Cuba. This shift in policy was rooted in a fundamental desire to improve the lives of people in both our nations.

Dec152015

New Commerce Department Data Shows That Minority Entrepreneurship is Growing

DataEntrepreneurshipAlejandra Y. Castillo
The U.S. Department of Commerce today released the final results of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012 Survey of Business Owners (SBO), which found that business ownership in our nation is mirroring our increasingly diverse population. Minority-owned firms in the U.S. rose from 5.8 million in 2007 to 8.0 million in 2012, and employed 7.2 million people in 2012. While the number of minority-owned...

Dec152015

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NFL, Under Armour, GE & National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Announce Five Winners of Head Health Challenge III

InnovationHead Health ChallengeNational Football League (NFL)Under ArmourGeneral Electric
The National Football League (NFL), Under Armour (NYSE:UA), GE (NYSE: GE), and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) today announced the five winners of Head Health Challenge III, an open innovation competition to support the discovery, design and development of advanced materials that better absorb or dissipate impact.

Dec142015

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More than 6 Million People Tune in to Watch Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE) on ABC-TV’s Shark Tank

InnovationPresidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE)
When we started the Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE) initiative almost two years ago, we knew that our success would come as a result of powerful partnerships. In November, the hit American TV series Shark Tank illustrated the power of partnerships when it featured PAGE, and Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship Daymond John in a segment on the show.

Dec112015

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Are You Dreaming of a White Christmas?

DataEnvironment
For those of you dreaming of a white Christmas, this map depicts which places have the best chance of being a winter wonderland according to weather history. The “Historical Probability of a White Christmas” map shows the climatological probability of at least 1 inch of snow being on the ground on December 25 in the contiguous United States.

Dec102015

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews Announces Healthcare Trade and Investment Mission to Peru

Trade and Investment
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews today announced that he will lead a healthcare trade and investment mission to Lima, Peru from March 7-9, 2016. The trade mission will help U.S. companies launch or increase their business in Peru, focusing on pharmaceutical producers, medical device manufacturers, hospital operation and management services, hospital information systems, and eHealth...

Dec092015

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews Highlights Importance of Trans-Pacific Partnership at Retail Industry Leaders Association Meeting

Trade and InvestmentTrans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
Today, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews delivered remarks at the Retail Industry Leaders Association’s (RILA) Government Affairs Committee Meeting. Before a group of public and private sector leaders, Deputy Secretary Andrews discussed the importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership for retailers and how the trade agreement will benefit the retail industry. ...

Dec092015

Commerce Department Supports Gulf Restoration Council's Actions to Improve the Health and Resiliency of the Gulf Coast Region

EnvironmentGulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration CouncilRESTORE Act
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today delivered remarks and chaired a meeting of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council in Biloxi, Mississippi. During the meeting, the Council approved the Initial Funded Priorities List (FPL) totaling approximately $183 million of ecosystem restoration projects. Using funds from the settlement with Transocean Deepwater Inc., the Council is...

Dec092015

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Combating Corruption Together

Trade and InvestmentAnticorruptionTrans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
All of us have a shared responsibility to address threats to our long-term competitiveness. Corruption is one of the most serious threats to our businesses in international trade. As we observe International Anticorruption Day, it is clear that corruption still erodes public trust and hinders global economic growth – and the international community must continue to fight it aggressively.

Dec092015

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Presents Marilyn Hewson with the Business Council for International Understanding's 2015 Eisenhower Global Innovation Award

InnovationEisenhower Global Innovation AwardPresident's Export Council (PEC)Marillyn Hewson
On Tuesday, December 8, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker presented Marillyn Hewson with the 2015 Eisenhower Global Innovation Award at the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) 31st Annual Eisenhower Leadership Awards Gala.

Dec082015

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MBDA and Operation HOPE form new Partnership to Support Minority Business Enterprises

InnovationOperation Hope
Recently, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and Operation HOPE signed a memorandum of understanding designed to provide U.S. minority business enterprises (MBEs) with greater opportunities to access technical and financial resources. The official signing took place at the MBDA headquarters in Washington, DC.

Dec082015

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Delivers Remarks at the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship Meeting

InnovationNational Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE)
On Friday, December 4, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker delivered remarks at the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE) meeting. As an extension of the Economic Development Administration, NACIE is charged with identifying and recommending solutions to issues critical to driving the innovation economy. The Council serves as a vehicle for continuous dialogue...

Dec072015

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews Delivers Remarks at Launch of the American Central European Business Association

Trade and InvestmentTransatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP)American Central European Business Association (ACEBA)
Today, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews delivered remarks at the launch of the American Central European Business Association (ACEBA), a non-profit, one-stop platform for dialogue between American corporate executives and political leaders from Central European countries.

Dec042015

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Addresses President's Export Council

Trade and InvestmentPresident's Export Council (PEC)
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker delivered the opening remarks at a meeting of the President’s Export Council (PEC). The PEC serves as the principal national advisory committee on international trade and meets regularly to discuss new recommendations for resolving trade-related challenges among the business, industrial, agricultural, labor and government sectors.

Dec042015

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From Education to Housing Costs, the American Community Survey Provides 10 Years of Local Statistics for Every Community Nationwide

DataAmerican Community Survey (ACS)
For 10 years, the American Community Survey has provided U.S. communities with detailed information critical for making informed decisions about their people, places and economy. Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released the latest American Community Survey five-year statistics, allowing users for the first time to compare two nonoverlapping five-year data sets: 2005-2009 and 2010-2014.

Dec022015

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Closing Press Conference Remarks at the 26th Session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

Trade and InvestmentU.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)
Last week U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman led a U.S. delegation to Guangzhou, China for the 26th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT). Established in 1983, the JCCT is the primary forum for addressing bilateral trade and investment issues and promoting commercial opportunities between the United States and...

Nov252015

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U.S. Census Bureau Releases Key Statistics for Thanksgiving Day

DataCensus Bureau Facts for Features
In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims — early settlers of Plymouth Colony — held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest. This event is regarded by many as the nation’s first Thanksgiving. The Wampanoag Indians in attendance played a key role. Historians have recorded ceremonies of thanks among other groups of European settlers in North America.

Nov242015

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U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Kicks-Off Visit to Asia in Hong Kong

Trade and InvestmentPenny PritzkerTrans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
Last week, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker traveled to Hong Kong to signal the United States' continued commitment to deepening our trade and economic ties with the Asia-Pacific, and to gain greater insights into the commercial opportunities and challenges for American firms operating in the region.

Nov242015

Commerce Department Seeks Candidates for Digital Economy Board of Advisors

Operational ExcellenceInnovationBruce H. AndrewsDigital Economy
U.S. Commerce Deputy Secretary Bruce Andrews today announced the Department is seeking candidates to serve on a new Digital Economy Board of Advisors, which Commerce is establishing to give government a mechanism to obtain advice from leaders in industry and civil society. The board will provide recommendations on ways to ensure that the Internet continues to thrive as an engine of growth,...

Nov242015

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Spotlight on Commerce: Francis Gray, Primary Patent Examiner, United State Patent and Trademark Office

About the U.S. Department of CommerceOperational ExcellenceSpotlight on CommerceNative American Heritage Month
I am a patent examiner, so I review, evaluate and determine the outcome and patentability of applications in electrophotography, also known as printers. I decided to join the USPTO because I was intrigued by the agency’s mission and the vast opportunities it presented. I wanted to be a part of this complex world providing exclusive rights to new, novel inventions.

Nov232015

U.S. and Chinese Delegations Conclude the 26th Session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

Trade and InvestmentU.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman today led a U.S. delegation in discussions with Vice Premier Wang Yang and other Chinese government officials as part of the 26th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Guangzhou, China. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus also...

Nov232015

U.S. Department of Commerce and the Industrial Fabrics Association International to Host First-Ever Smart Fabrics Summit

Trade and Investment
Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced it will partner with the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) to host the first-ever Smart Fabrics Summit on April 11, 2016 in Washington, D.C. The Summit will provide a forum for public and private sector leaders in technology, apparel, and textiles to highlight recent developments in the smart fabrics industry, identify...

Nov232015

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Spotlight on Commerce: Cisco C. Minthorn, Senior Advisor for Native American Affairs and Associate Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs

About the U.S. Department of CommerceOperational ExcellenceSpotlight on CommerceNative American Heritage Month
As the Secretary’s Senior Advisor for Native American Affairs and Associate Director of her Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Office, I serve two distinct roles at the Department of Commerce.

Nov232015

Remarks by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker on November 22 and 23 at the 26th Session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

Trade and InvestmentU.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman today led a U.S. delegation in discussions with Vice Premier Wang Yang and other Chinese government officials as part of the 26th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Guangzhou, China. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus also...

Nov232015

Remarks from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker at the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) Opening Plenary Session

Trade and InvestmentU.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman today led a U.S. delegation in discussions with Vice Premier Wang Yang and other Chinese government officials as part of the 26th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Guangzhou, China. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus also...

Nov222015

Remarks from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker at the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) Program Highlighting Mutually Beneficial Healthcare Initiatives

Trade and InvestmentU.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman today led a U.S. delegation in discussions with Vice Premier Wang Yang and other Chinese government officials as part of the 26th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Guangzhou, China. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus also...

Nov222015

Remarks from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker at the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) Luncheon Recognizing the Importance of Bilateral Cooperation at the Local Level

Trade and InvestmentU.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman today led a U.S. delegation in discussions with Vice Premier Wang Yang and other Chinese government officials as part of the 26th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Guangzhou, China. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus also...

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