On September 1, Ambassador Kirk traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam to meet with senior government officials and discuss the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral economic relationship.

Related Information:

Press Release: United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk to Visit Vietnam

On August 29, Ambassador Kirk gave remarks at the ASEAN-U.S. Business Summit and participated in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministerial Meetings in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Related Information:

Press Release: U.S. Trade Representative Kirk Reports Regional, Bilateral Progress at ASEAN Meetings in Cambodia

On August 11, Ambassador Kirk traveled to give remarks at the Congressional Black Caucus Institute’s Annual Policy Conference.

On July 20, Ambassador Kirk traveled to Pittsburgh, PA to participate in a lunch and discussion hosted by the National Foreign Trade Council, tour the Pittsburgh Airport Facilities with United Steelworkers (USW) President Leo Gerard, and participate in a roundtable discussion with USW President Gerard and local business owners.

On Monday, July 9, Ambassador Kirk traveled to Ghana in support of the Obama Administration’s new Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) for Sub-Saharan Africa.  He met with members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana, visited the USAID West Africa Trade Competitiveness Hub, visited the Lucky Textile Mills (a garment production unit), toured the Cargill Cocoa Processing Facility Site in Tema, and gave remarks at the American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana Luncheon.

Related Information:  

On June 26, Ambassador Kirk and Acting Secretary Blank co-chaired with Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, the U.S.-Turkey Framework for Strategic Economic and Commercial Cooperation (FSECC) Meeting. Ambassador Sapiro participated in the Meeting.  Ambassador Kirk, Dr. Blank, and Ambassador Sapiro subsequently made remarks at a reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Francis Ricciardone.

On Monday, June 25, Ambassadors Kirk and Sapiro participated in a roundtable discussion with U.S. business leaders in Istanbul, hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Francis Ricciardone.  Ambassador Kirk then gave remarks at a Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Luncheon with Acting Secretary of Commerce Dr. Rebecca Blank, followed by a press availability.  Finally, Ambassadors Kirk and Sapiro participated in a roundtable discussion with Turkish business leaders at the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD).

On June 6, Ambassador Kirk traveled to Moscow to hold bilateral meetings with the Russian Government and deliver remarks at an event sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia.

On June 4, Ambassadors Kirk, Marantis and Punke traveled to Kazan, Russia to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meetings.

Related Information:

Blog Post: Weekly Trade Spotlight: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

On May 22, Ambassadors Kirk and Punke traveled to Paris, France to participate in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Meeting.

Related Information:

Speech: Statement of U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk at the OECD Ministerial Session on "Trade -- Toward a More Open Trading System and Job-Rich Growth"