Special Representative Syed Launches ‘Commercial Diplomacy USA’ Tour with Visits to Reno, Nevada and Irvine, California

State Department Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs Dilawar Syed launched his Commercial Diplomacy USA tour with visits to Reno, Nevada, and Irvine, California, April 17-20.  The trip puts into action Special Representative Syed’s commitment to democratizing access to U.S. government programs and tools in underserved regions and applying a whole-of-government approach to commercial diplomacy.  The ‘Commercial Diplomacy USA’ tour will continue at the Cities Summit of the Americas in Denver, Colorado this week, and in Houston, Seattle, and Detroit, in May.  The tour shines a spotlight on regions and industries which are critical to building U.S. competitiveness in strategic sectors and demonstrates how commercial diplomacy supports the creation of well-paying American jobs through expansion overseas.

The visits come on the heels of Special Representative Syed’s travel to African and European countries, including Cabo Verde, Portugal, Moldova, and Albania, where he promoted the U.S. private sector as a force for good and a sustainable development alternative to non-market actors.  In Reno and Irvine, Special Representative Syed stressed strategic competition in critical sectors and emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation to America’s global leadership.  Syed discussed with local officials and industry groups the strategic imperative of America’s competitiveness in the industries of the future, including the Nevada Battery Coalition, Orange County Chambers of Commerce, dozens of startups and Fortune 1000 companies.

Reno and Irvine business leaders lauded federal programs, including CHIPS and the Inflation Reduction Act, for providing the policy certainty to invest in renewable energy projects.  Industry representatives also outlined challenges in competing abroad, including supply chain disruptions exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and fierce competition by Asian and European companies in emerging markets.  Syed highlighted federal resources for U.S. companies, including the State Department’s Direct Line for American Business, the Department of Commerce’s Export Assistance Centers, and interagency initiatives aimed at evening the playing field for U.S. companies, including commercial advocacy and Deal Teams.