Ambassador of the Month Archive

OCO Global Founder and CEO Mark O’Connell to Deliver OC World Trade Week Keynote Address

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Mark O’Connell, founder and CEO of OCO Global, will answer the question, “Is Globalization Dead or Still Working Undercover?” during his keynote address at the Greater Irvine Chamber’s sixth annual Orange County World Trade Week (OCWTW) Breakfast and Forum on Wednesday, May 13, 7– 11 a.m., at the Irvine Marriott, 18000 Von Karman Ave. O’Connell’s work in international trade and investment spans more than 20 years, initially in the private sector for a Saudi investment fund, before moving on to Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government export agency. He spent six years in the management consulting division at PricewaterhouseCoopers specializing in trad...

USMCA Passes Senate, Awaits President Trump’s Signature

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) passed the U.S. Senate and the deal is now awaiting President Donald J. Trump’s signature. The California Chamber of Commerce supports the USMCA based on an assessment that the agreement serves the employment, trading and environmental interests of California, the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and is beneficial to the business community and the California and national economies. “Irvine is the economic center and economic powerhouse of Orange County. Our companies—whether global organizations or local businesses—have a significant impact on the region’s trade economy. To ensure we continue to succeed economically, the passage of the USMCA by th...

US Trade Deficit Shrinks to Smallest in Three Years

Monday, January 13, 2020

The U.S. scored the smallest trade deficit since October 2016 as tariffs slowed the flow of imports into the country. With imports down while U.S. consumption continues to rise, American workers grabbed a larger share of domestic demand. The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services for November 2019 was $43.1 billion, down 8.2% on the previous month and down 19.6% on the year-earlier figure. The November decline is due to a $3.9 billion decrease in the goods deficit to $63.9 billion and a slight decrease in the services surplus of $0.1 billion to $20.8 billion. Good imports of $201.1 billion in Novembe...

USMCA Deal Could Have Big Impact on California Farming

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have finally come to an agreement on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement deal, which will replace NAFTA. The deal may have a big impact on industries all throughout California. Relief may be right around the corner for California farmers, in the form of a new USMCA trade deal. “I think getting this done will be a big win for the economy,” Representative Doug LaMalfa said. “This is the template for how all trade deals should happen,” Representative Josh Harder said. Both Republicans and Democrats say USMCA will help California farmers and companies sell their products, while als...

California Businesses Breathe Sigh of Relief over Deal to Update NAFTA Trade Pact

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

There is little overall difference between the old North American Free Trade Agreement and the Trump administration’s replacement. But California businesses are just relieved to finally have some certainty they can plan around. Selwyn Joffe, chief executive of a Torrance auto parts manufacturer, had 3,000 workers in his Tijuana factories and was all set to add hundreds more this year. As he listened to President Trump, though, he got cold feet. Even as U.S. trade officials were renegotiating the 1994 agreement, which slashed tariffs among the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, Trump continued to excoriate NAFTA as “the worst trade deal” eve...

Greater Irvine Chamber Part of Nationwide Coalition Urging Congress to Pass USMCA

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

The Greater Irvine Chamber is part of a coalition of chambers of commerce and business and agriculture organizations from across the United States to urge members of the United States Congress to support the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The agreement is critical to the nation’s economic future because it will preserve and strengthen U.S. trade ties to Canada and Mexico. “The recent ‘handshake’ agreement between the administration and lawmakers signals historic progress toward the modernization of trade rules that will benefit international commerce for America and our region,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “Irvine is the economic cente...

House Democrats Support Updated Trade Deal With Mexico And Canada

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

House Democrats and organized labor have thrown their support behind an updated trade agreement among the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. "This is a day we've all been working to," declared House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "There is no question, of course, that this trade agreement is much better than NAFTA. But in terms of our work here, it is infinitely better than what was initially proposed by the administration." Democrats endorsed the trade deal after winning stronger enforcement of labor and environmental provisions, and stripping a measure that would have locked in long-term patent protection for certain pharmaceutical products. "It's an agreement that Democrat...

Commentary: California Trade Mission to Mexico Sows Seeds for Mutual Benefits

Friday, November 29, 2019

The recent California trade mission to Mexico made enormous strides to build positive relations with our neighbors to the south. And that was no accidente, given the importance California places on its cultural, economic and environmental relationship with Mexico. A formal delegation of California government and business leaders visited Mexico earlier this month to reaffirm our mutual friendship, to build on the accomplishments and good intentions of those who have preceded us, and to once again reaffirm that California is truly a place where all dreams are welcome. The results of the visit exceeded expectations: strengthened relations and bold commitments for future direction an...

No Deal on USMCA, but Democrats Point to Progress

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Democratic lawmakers left the capital for the Thanksgiving break without a final agreement on President Trump’s revised North American trade deal, prolonging a difficult negotiation with the administration on one of the president’s trade priorities. But top House Democrats insisted that they were closing in on a deal on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that would satisfy their remaining concerns. Talks will continue over the break, and a vote to ratify the deal could come in the following weeks, they said. “We’re going to stay right at this for the next week,” said Representative Richard E. Neal of Massachusetts, the chairman of th...

Money Wise with The Money Guys KOCI Radio Hosts Interview Bryan Starr on Irvine’s Economic Strength

Wednesday, November 06, 2019

Greater Irvine Chamber President and CEO Bryan Starr discusses Irvine’s economic strength with KOCI radio hosts Andrea Graham, an LPL Financial consultant; and LPL Financial registered principals William O’Connor, founder and president, Applied Financial Planning; and Sean Walker. Starr discussed the importance of the passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and its impact on Orange County, which makes up nearly 10% of California’s population. He explained that Mexico is the largest recipient of Orange County exports, which are concentrated in high-tech sectors, including electronic components, computers, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment. Starr also addressed Irvine’s impressive status, refuting misinformation on businesses migrating ou...

CalChamber, Business Leaders Join Lt. Governor in Trade Delegation to Mexico

Monday, October 21, 2019

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis led a California government and business delegation, Oct. 1–4, to Mexico City to collaborate and sign new agreements with Mexico on a number of key issues, including renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, clean technology, trade, and commerce. The mission was the first international delegation of the Newsom administration. Participants included about 20 state agency representatives and 20 private sector leaders, including two members of the California Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors—Stuart Woolf of Woolf Farming and Processing, and Jennifer Haley of Kern Oil & Refining Co. The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) helped organize an...

USMCA Is Good for California’s Economy and Good for Trucking

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Southern California receives many blessings by virtue of its latitude. Sunny weather and beautiful beaches make this corner of the country one of America’s natural treasures. But its location on the map has an even greater significance than its panoramic beauty, making it a pivotal part in our nation’s economic engine. As a key border state and home to our largest port, Southern California is a vital gateway of global commerce essential to the prosperity of the United States. That is why it is essential for California’s Congressional delegation to be a leading voice in support of the United States-Mexico-Canada trad...

Where the US-Japan Trade Deal Falls Short of Trans-Pacific Pact Abandoned by Trump

Monday, October 07, 2019

U.S. President Donald Trump has called his new trade deal with Japan a “phenomenal” victory for U.S. farmers. But don’t expect America’s Land O’Lakes butter to knock New Zealand’s Anchor or France’s President brands off store shelves in Japan, the world’s third largest economy. Butter is one of several U.S. dairy products that will not get improved access to Japan’s 127 million consumers under the limited bilateral trade deal signed by Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sept. 25. The deal’s full text has not been released and remains classified, but congressional aides, trade experts and industry groups briefed on i...

Bryan Starr, US Chamber of Commerce Urge Congressional Passage of USMCA

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

As a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 (CCC100), Bryan Starr, president and CEO of the Greater Irvine Chamber, has taken an active and consequential role in advocating for the congressional passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). During a September visit to Washington, D.C., Starr and other chamber executives from across the nation convened to discuss how the new North American trade agreement will bolster American businesses, local economies, and the national economy; and detrimental effects should it not pass ratification. “Irvine is the economic center and economic powerhouse of Orange County. Our companies—whether global organizations o...

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