The Foreign Service Journal, December 2018

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2018 13 TALKING POINTS Business Leaders Support Diplomacy A n Oct. 10 letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed by 96 U.S. and global business associations highlights the “strong interest of the American business community in working closely with the U.S. Department of State to promote America’s economic interests around the globe.” What follows is the text of the letter, along with the full list of signatories, because, well, wow. AFSA/JEFFLAU Business leaders from 46 states say they want to work closely with the State Department to promote U.S. economic interests around the world. Dear Secretary Pompeo, We are writing to underscore the strong interest of the American business com- munity in working closely with the U.S. Department of State to promote America’s economic interests around the globe. Our organizations represent the interests of millions of businesses of all sizes, sectors and regions, ranging from small, family-owned businesses to leading industry associations and large corporations. We appreciate your leadership in promoting American enterprise overseas. Foreign Service officers at U.S. embassies are instrumental in advancing the interests of American compa- nies around the world in ways that foster economic growth and job creation in the U.S. American businesses need their help engaging with foreign governments to level the playing field so that American businesses can compete and win in the global marketplace. U.S. businesses also rely on these personnel to improve govern- ment procurement processes, break down non-tariff barriers that shut out U.S. goods and service, and ensure that overseas parties honor contracts. We urge you to send more diplomats overseas with the mission to advance these important American economic and commercial interests, which ultimately support more American jobs. Foreign competitors are continually extending their economic reach into markets where America’s diplomatic presence is limited. The American Foreign Service Association has advocated to shift Foreign Service officers now in Washington to overseas posts to help U.S. businesses seize more commercial opportunities. We strongly endorse this concept. We thank you for taking crucial steps to restore America’s diplomatic strength. We look forward to working with you to advance U.S interests by extending the economic and commercial reach of American diplomats overseas. Sincerely, AdvancedEnergyEconomy~AirlinesforAmerica~AlabamaTruckingAssociation~AlaskaTruckingAssociation~AmericanAssociation of Exporters and Importers ~ American Trucking Associations ~ Arkansas Trucking Association ~ Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International ~Association ofWashingtonBusiness ~Business and IndustryAssociation of NewHampshire ~Business Council of Alabama ~ Business Council of NewYork State ~ California Trucking Association ~ Cargo Airline Association ~ Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce ~ Coalition of Service Industries ~ Colorado Motor Carriers Association ~ Connecticut Business and Industry Association ~ Council of the Americas/Americas Society ~ Express Association of America ~ Florida Trucking Association ~ Georgia Chamber of Commerce ~ Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce ~ Georgia Motor Trucking Association ~ Hawaii Trucking Association ~ Idaho Trucking Association ~ Illinois Chamber of Commerce ~ Illinois International Business Council ~ Illinois Trucking Association ~ Indiana ChamberofCommerce~IndianaMotorTruckAssociation~InternationalFranchiseAssociation~InternationalWarehouseandLogistics Association ~ Iowa Motor Carriers Association ~ Kansas Chamber of Commerce ~ Kansas Trucking Association ~ Kentucky Chamber of Commerce ~ Long Beach Chamber of Commerce ~ Louisiana Motor Transport Association ~ Maine Motor Transport Association ~ Maryland Chamber of Commerce ~ Maryland Motor Truck Association ~ Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce ~ Michigan Chamber of Commerce ~ Michigan Trucking Association ~ Minnesota Chamber of Commerce ~ Minnesota Trucking Association ~ Mississippi Economic Council ~ Mississippi Trucking Association ~ Missouri Chamber of Commerce ~ Missouri Trucking Association ~ Motor Carriers Association of Montana ~ Motor Truck Association of Connecticut ~ National Association of Manufacturers ~ National Foreign Trade Council ~ National Industrial Transportation League ~ Natural Gas Vehicles for America ~ Nebraska Chamber of Commerce ~ Nebraska Trucking Association ~ Nevada Trucking Association ~ New Jersey Business and Industry Association ~ New Jersey Chamber of Commerce ~ New Mexico Trucking Association ~ North Carolina Chamber of Commerce ~ North Carolina Trucking Association ~ North DakotaMotor Carriers ~Ohio Chamber of Commerce ~OhioManufacturersAssociation ~OhioTruckingAssociation ~Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce ~ Oklahoma Trucking Association ~ Oregon Business and Industry Association ~ Oregon Trucking Association ~ Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals ~ Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry ~ Pennsylvania Motor Trucking Association ~ Rhode Island Trucking Association ~ Sandy Springs Chamber of Commerce ~ Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council ~ Small Business Exporters Association ~ South Carolina Chamber of Commerce ~ South Carolina Trucking Association ~ South Dakota Trucking Association ~ Tennessee Chamber of Commerce ~ Texas Trucking Association ~ The Lexington Institute ~ Trucking Association of Massachusetts ~ U.S. Chamber of Commerce ~ United States Council for International Business ~ Utah TruckingAssociation ~VirginiaTruckingAssociation ~Washington Council on InternationalTrade ~WashingtonTruckingAssociations ~ Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce ~Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association ~Wyoming Trucking Association