U.S. Chamber President Embarks on Economic Mission to Brazil and Colombia

"We can create new U.S. jobs by expanding trade with our South American partners," Donohue Says

BRASILIA, BRAZIL—Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today began an economic mission through Brazil and Colombia, meeting with business and government leaders to discuss opportunities to expand commercial links, successfully conclude key trade pacts, strengthen intellectual property rights, and boost energy security.

"U.S. companies already have significant business relationships throughout Latin America, but there is extraordinary potential for future growth," Donohue said. "I'm traveling to Brazil and Colombia to underscore our interest in deepening and strengthening these relationships, which will create more exports and jobs for our own country."

While in Brazil, Donohue will applaud its emergence on the global stage and urge its continued leadership in energy and the Doha trade negotiations. This will be conveyed during meetings with Dilma Rousseff, chief of staff to President Lula; Celso Amorim, Minister of Foreign Relations; Miguel Jorge, Minister of Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade: and José Temporão, Minister of Health. He will also meet with members and leaders of the American Chambers of Commerce in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, as well as officials from the Federation of Industries of the State of Sao Paulo (FIESP) and the Brazilian National Confederation of Industries (CNI).

During a meeting with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe in Bogota and in an address to the American Chamber of Commerce in Colombia, Donohue will underscore the U.S. Chamber's continued support for congressional approval and implementation of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

"It's time to remove the barriers that are blocking all our countries from leading the drive toward an economic recovery," Donohue said. "From the United States to Brazil to Colombia, leading economies in this Hemisphere must move toward finding global solutions to an economic recession that is hitting every corner of the world."

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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