U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman announced the schedule of events for the 25th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), which will take place from December 16-18, in Chicago. Secretary Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman will host a high-level Government of China delegation, and for the first time, the JCCT schedule includes a full day of events designed to facilitate private sector engagement with officials from the U.S. and Chinese governments. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will also participate. The goal of this enhanced program is to expand the scope of the JCCT with engagement between businesses from both countries.
The program will include a roundtable discussion on bilateral investment hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Paulson Institute; a luncheon to celebrate the Gateway Cities partnership hosted by World Business Chicago; a cooperative travel and tourism program hosted by the U.S. Travel Association; and a discussion on developing a shared vision of economic leadership hosted by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs that will include remarks from Secretary Penny Pritzker, Ambassador Michael Froman, and Vice Premier Wang Yang.
Established in 1983, the JCCT is the primary forum for addressing bilateral trade and investment issues and promoting commercial opportunities between the United States and China. High-level plenary meetings are held annually and are co-chaired by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, the United States Trade Representative, and the Chinese Vice Premier in charge of trade and investment issues. Sixteen JCCT Working Groups meet throughout the year to address topics such as intellectual property rights, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, information technology, and travel and tourism.
Media who wish to attend must register by 5 p.m. EST on Friday, December 12.
Secretary Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Froman announced the following open to press events:
Wednesday, December 17
11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Investment Luncheon Program - Open Press
Hosted by: Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Organizer: World Business Chicago
Location: 300 E. Randolph Street, 30th Floor
For Press Registration and Credentialing, please e-mail World Business Chicago at WTNations[at]worldbusinesschicago[dot]com
Note: On-site press registration will open at 10:30 a.m.; with press set up required by 11 a.m.
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m: U.S.-China: A Shared Vision of Global Economic Partnership
Hosted by: The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, World Business Chicago
Location: Palmer Hilton House
Keynote Remarks, Open Press
For Press Registration and Credentialing, please contact Betsy Hushek at bhushek[at]thechicagocouncil[dot]org
Note: On-site press registration will open at 3 p.m.; with press set up required by 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 18
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.: JCCT Plenary Session Opening Remarks - Open Press
Note: Press Credential Pick-up will open at 7 a.m.; press equipment set up required by 8 a.m., with all press in place no later than 8:30 a.m. for the opening remarks.
4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.: JCCT Press Conference - Open Press
Location: Gleacher Center
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
450 N Cityfront Plaza Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
Note: Access to the press conference room opens at 3 p.m.; all press must be in place no later than 3:30 p.m.
Registration is required by 5 p.m. EST on Friday, December 12. All press must be registered, confirmed, and credentialed for any open press events. Media that is not registered by the deadline will not be allowed. Registered and confirmed press must bring confirmation email and credentials to all events.
To register for the Investment Luncheon Program organized by World Business Chicago, please contact WTNations[at]worldbusinesschicago[dot]com. To register for the U.S.-China: A Shared Vision of Economic Leadership hosted by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, please contact bhushek[at]thechicagocouncil[dot]org. To register for all other JCCT events open to the press, please contact Lorri Crowley at lorri.crowley[at]trade[dot]gov
