Kaine, Secretary Pritzker Discuss Trade Opportunities with Richmond Business Leaders

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine kicked off a five-day swing through the Commonwealth by joining U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker to meet with local business owners in Richmond and discuss how increased trade opportunities for businesses, including trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, would – if agreed to – impact Virginia companies and the Commonwealth’s economy. 

“We heard from a variety of businesses in the Richmond area, who talked about the benefits of selling overseas, but also some of the challenges they see,” said Kaine. “We’re having a debate in the Senate soon about a trade pact that’s being negotiated with a dozen nations surrounding the Pacific—North America, South America and Asian countries. We want to make sure that, as we have that debate, we’re taking into account some of those concerns and challenges that these businesses are seeing.”

“President Obama's trade agenda is focused on strengthening the hand of U.S. businesses by opening more markets to American goods and services,” said Pritzker. “Thanks to world class ports of entry like Dulles Airport and the Port of Virginia, Virginia is an attractive destination for businesses looking to ship their goods around the world. Promoting new trade policies will benefit our businesses and middle-class workers both here in Virginia and across the country.”

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