Readout of Under Secretary Lago’s Trip to Farnborough International Air Show 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2022
Contact: Office of Public Affairs
publicaffairs@trade.gov
LONDON - Today, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago concluded her first official travel to the United Kingdom. From July 16-20, Under Secretary Lago led a delegation from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration to the Farnborough International Air Show (FIA). Her trip also included meetings with U.K. government officials in London to discuss emerging issues and opportunities associated with energy transition, digital trade, clean technology and strengthening coalition unity in the wake of Russia’s unlawful aggression towards Ukraine.
On July 17, Under Secretary Lago met with U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Jane Hartley and U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to discuss common goals in the aerospace, aviation and defense industries, their shared commitments to NATO, and ways in which the United States can continue to be closely aligned with the U.K. and European Union partners in support of Ukraine. Later that evening, she met with state delegations from Kansas and Alabama, and the following day with state economic development offices to discuss the local economic benefits associated with high-technology industry exports.
On July 18, Under Secretary Lago also attended FIA, which featured more than 230 U.S. companies in the aerospace, aviation, and defense industries, including women and minority owned businesses. Her visit included a tour of the U.S. Department of Defense aircraft corral where she thanked air crews and for their service and learned about the aircraft on display. She also toured the U.S. International Partnership Pavilion to discuss with event attendees the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to growing U.S. exports and jobs in high-technology and high-paying industries.
Under Secretary Lago also met with representatives of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to discuss the execution of a recently signed memorandum of understanding between the EBRD and ITA that will increase opportunities for U.S. small and medium-sized businesses, including minority and women-owned firms, by facilitating engagement between EBRD borrowers and decision-makers in U.S. industry. The memorandum focuses specifically on increasing engagement on the EBRD’s Green Cities Program.
On July 19, Under Secretary Lago participated in a roundtable discussion with the BritishAmerican Business Council, during which she highlighted ITA’s women’s economic empowerment initiative, which aims to improve the business environment for women, and listened to industry concerns regarding the U.K. digital regulatory ecosystem and transatlantic digital issues.
“It was truly an honor to represent the Department of Commerce at this historic event,” Under Secretary Lago said. “The Farnborough International Air Show is one of the world’s largest and most forward-looking events with cutting-edge aerospace, aviation and defense technology. The sheer number of U.S. federal and state agencies and companies in attendance is a signal to our international partners that the United States welcomes their business, partnership and collaboration.”
Joining Under Secretary Lago on the trip were ITA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing Monica Gorman and Advocacy Center Executive Director Cynthia Aragon, both of whom also participated in meetings regarding U.S. competitiveness, supply chain resiliency and U.S.-U.K. export promotion. For more information on the Farnborough Air Show, visit www.farnboroughairshow.com.
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About the International Trade Administration
The International Trade Administration (ITA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. ITA has more than 2,200 employees assisting U.S. exporters in more than 100 U.S. cities and 75 markets worldwide. For more information on ITA, visit www.trade.gov.
