As technology, supply chain resilience, and economic security become increasingly central to United States foreign policy and national security, trade and investment policy has taken on a leading role in advancing American interests abroad. Critical minerals, energy, artificial intelligence, and other strategic sectors have emerged as key areas for collaboration with allies and partners as Washington works to align markets, guard against adversarial manipulation, and leverage economic gains to create national security advantages.<br><br>Join Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade William Kimmitt for a discussion with Executive Vice President Joel Scanlon on how the Trump administration’s trade and investment strategy is reshaping economic partnerships with allies across areas like industrial policy, digital services, and strategic competition.

Advancing American Interests through Trade, Investment, and Commercial Diplomacy: A Conversation with Under Secretary of Commerce William Kimmitt

Hudson Institute Events Podcast

# Full Transcript

**Podcast:** Hudson Institute Events Podcast

## Transcript

Well good afternoon everyone. Thanks for being here. I'm Joel Scanlon, Executive Vice President here at Hudson. It's our great honor today to welcome Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, William Kimmitt. The International Trade Administration, which he leads, is the Department of Commerce's principal arm for advancing American competitiveness, promoting exports and inbound investment, and enforcing fair trade. There are few issues, if any, more clearly identified as a priority of President Trump's than trade.

And few administrations in which the Commerce Department has played such an active and defining role. The President and Secretary Lutnick have undertaken an ambitious effort to rebalance the international trading order to better serve American workers, industry, and national security. ITA has been central to that monumental undertaking. Under Secretary Kimmitt has stressed the American business and innovation to the forefront of U.S. foreign policy. Among many other initiatives, the Under Secretary has launched the American AI exports program,

sought to deepen defense and technological cooperation among Quad partners, and signed bilateral critical minerals frameworks. He has leveraged the strength of American industry to help build a network of partners that grow stronger through commerce, strategic investment, and balanced trade. The Under Secretary comes to his job uniquely prepared, both from his prior experience in senior government roles and his experience in private practice. In the first Trump administration, he served as counselor to the United States Trade Representative,

advising on trade policy and legal matters, advising on trade policy and legal matters, playing a key role in the implementation of the USMCA, and with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US. In his private practice, he has advised clients on trade, geopolitical risks, supply chain assessments, and investment exposure. He brings an elite understanding of how trade rules are written, enforced, and most importantly, how they affect American workers and businesses. We're delighted to have you here at Hudson. Welcome. The podium is yours.

Thank you for that. Thank you for that. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for that. Thank you for that kind introduction, Joel. And thank you to Hudson Institute for hosting me today. Hudson has long understood something that too many institutions in Washington forgot. Economic strength, industrial capacity, and national security cannot be separated. For decades, Hudson has served as a catalyst for serious discussion and the development of important policy ideas at the intersection of those issues. For too long, Washington behaved as though our

economic strength and our national security could be separated. But the foundation of American strength was built on the recognition that the ability to produce is a source of national powe...

Advancing American Interests through Trade, Investment, and Commercial Diplomacy: A Conversation with Under Secretary of Commerce William Kimmitt

Transcript

Built for investment professionals

Every day you wait, your competitors are finding
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Advancing American Interests through Trade, Investment, and Commercial Diplomacy: A Conversation with Under Secretary of Commerce William Kimmitt

Transcript

Built for investment professionals

Every day you wait, your competitors are findingedge in conversations you're not hearing.

Every day you wait, your competitors are finding
edge in conversations you're not hearing.