UCSD to host California International Trade Council, February 23-25
02/14/2005
Paula Cichocka,
The California Council for International Trade's 7th Annual Trade Policy Forum will be held February 23-25, 2005 on the campus of the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS), at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The two-day meeting is a high-level forum for discussion of international and domestic trends and developments impacting California's position as one of the globe's leading players in foreign trade. The conference fee is $800, but members of news media are invited to attend without charge by registering with the contact below.
Policy guidance will be provided by UCSD faculty and a substantial contingent of high-level guest speakers including the U.S. Secretary of Commerce for International Affairs, Grant Aldonas, who will present an overview of the Bush Administration's trade policy agenda. UCSD scholars who will address the meeting include Wayne Cornelius, Peter Cowhey, Ambassador Jeffrey Davidow, Richard Feinberg and Barry Naughton.
Other speakers include Robert Ellsworth, a member of the U.S.- China Economic Security and a former member of Congress, who will chair a discussion on U.S.-China trade. At least three current members of Congress are on the speakers list, as well as Douglas Bereuter, former member of Congress and current president of the Asia Foundation and Dr. Abraham Lowenthal, president of the Pacific Council on International Policy. Discussion topics will include trade protection, post-MFA textile issues, transportation infrastructure, bilateral and regional trade agreements and continued U.S. membership in the World Trade Organization.
California-specific issues to be addressed at the Forum include Sacramento's role in helping California's companies to compete in international markets, California's trade relationship with Mexico, outsourcing's effect on the state's job growth and the education needs of California's youth as they enter a global marketplace. A highlight of the Forum will be an initial discussion of how to reconcile homeland security and immigration concerns with the need for Mexican migrant workers in key industries that drive California's economy.
IR/PS Media Contact: Paula Cichocka, (858) 534-1465, pcichocka@ucsd.edu
