Top News
Secretary Gutierrez Visits UPS Olympic Warehouse in Beijing
Beijing (May 14)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez toured UPS’s Olympic Warehouse in Beijing to see first-hand how the official sponsor of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be delivering the event to the world. In remarks to reporters after the tour, Gutierrez expressed his condolences on behalf of the United States to the people of China and all of the victims and family of the victims who have suffered from the earthquake in Sichuan province. Gutierrez is shown here during a December 2007 visit to China. (More)
NIST Finding Can Help Improve Radio Communication in Tunnels
Gaithersburg, Md. (May 14)—As part of a project to improve wireless communications for emergency responders, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have confirmed that underground tunnels—generally a difficult setting for radios—can have a frequency “sweet spot” at which signals may travel several times farther than at other frequencies. The finding, which uses extensive new data to confirm models developed in the 1970s, may point to strategies for enhancing rescue communications in subways and mines. (More)
Deputy Assistant Secretary Priest Addresses Textile Trade Policy
Washington (May 13)—International Trade Administration (ITA) Deputy Assistant Secretary Matt Priest addressed textile trade policy and implementation at the Annual Meeting of the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO). ITA’s Import Administration is the agency’s lead unit on enforcing trade laws and agreements to prevent unfairly traded imports and to safeguard jobs and the competitive strength of American industry. (More)
NOAA Issues Tornado Facts and Safety Tips
Washington (May 13)—The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued answers to common questions about tornadoes, including the difference between watches and warnings, and how to stay safe during a tornado. A tornado is a narrow, violently rotating column of air that extends from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground. The current average lead-time for tornado warnings is 13 minutes. NOAA Research is working to increase tornado warning lead-times much further. (More)
Assistant Secretary Bohigian Addresses U.S. Open Investment Policies
Washington (May 12)—As part of Invest in America week, International Trade Administration Assistant Secretary David Bohigian discussed U.S. open investment policies with journalists at the Foreign Press Center. Through Invest in America, the Department of Commerce promotes the United States as the best place in the world to do business and reinforces the unequivocal and long-standing commitment by the United States to open investment policies. (More)
Gutierrez and Schwarzenegger Highlight Trade, Investment and Economic Stimulus in California
Torrance, Calif. (May 12)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today toured a Hitachi plant in California to highlight the importance of foreign direct investment in creating U.S. jobs. The two also authored an opinion editorial in the Wall Street Journal that highlighted the need for America’s openness. They wrote, “As immigrants, we're proud of America and the strength it derives from being uniquely open to trade, to investment, and to ideas and people.” (Opinion Editorial)
NOAA Reports Coastal Waters Show Decline in Contaminants
Washington (May 12)—National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists released a 20-year study showing that environmental laws enacted in the 1970s are having a positive effect on reducing overall contaminant levels in coastal waters of the U.S. However, the report points to continuing concerns with elevated levels of metals and organic contaminants found near urban and industrial areas of the coasts. (More)
Secretary Gutierrez Travels to China and Korea for High-Level Meetings to Discuss Bilateral Trade
Miami (May 9)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez will travel to Beijing, China and Seoul, South Korea, May 14-16, to discuss bilateral trade and promote U.S. exports. “American businesses, workers, farmers and ranchers are exporting around the world at record rates,” Gutierrez said. “While U.S. exports of goods to China, now our third-largest export partner, grew by more than 18 percent in 2007, significant trade barriers to the Chinese market remain.” (More)
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Secretary Gutierrez Applauds 21st Straight Quarter of U.S. Export Growth
Miami (May 9)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today issued the following statement on the release of the March 2008 goods and services national trade statistics by the Department’s U.S. Census Bureau. This report shows the 21st consecutive quarter of U.S. export growth with exports increasing by 17.6 percent in the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the first quarter of last year. Imports over this period grew at a slower 12.0 percent rate. (More) (Fact Sheet)
In Austin, Texas, Gutierrez Highlights Stimulus and Trade as Key to Economic Growth
Austin, Texas (May 8)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez toured the Austin, Texas Regional Financial Center, a Treasury Department check printing and processing facility, to observe the first mass printing of economic stimulus checks. Beginning this month, 130 million Americans will receive rebates as part of President Bush’s more than $150 billion bipartisan economic stimulus plan. The Secretary highlighted the stimulus and the need to pass pending free trade agreements in an editorial for the Austin American Statesman. (Editorial)