“Trade agreements are not gifts of the United States [to another country] but gifts that we give ourselves,” said U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab. In a period of economic uncertainty, trade is an important driver of re-energizing economic growth, she emphasized at the 2008 Washington Conference on the Americas.

In the opening remarks at the 2008 Washington Conference, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas Shannon emphasized the “ultimately positive and hopeful” transformations that are occurring across the Americas and the importance of the U.S. to build policies around these changing dynamics.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez called for passage of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement and improvements in Cuba’s human rights at COA's annual Washington Conference on the Americas. He announced a May 21, 2008 White House event to “shine a spotlight” on political prisoners in Cuba.

Addressing attendees at the COA's Washington Conference of the Americas, U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings discussed the importance of educational exchange between the United States and the rest of the Western Hemisphere, saying that the more governments and higher education institutions work together to foster exchange, “the better prepared we will all be to respond to the challenges of our changing world.”

At the COA's Washington Conference on the Americas, Secretary Rice underscored that there has “never been a time in modern history” when the U.S. relationship with the hemisphere has been so critical. U.S. friendship is not contingent upon any ideological position; rather, the administration is committed to working with countries in advancing key development issues.

Speaking at the 2008 Washington Conference, Secretary Spellings discussed the importance of educational exchange between the United States and the rest of the Western Hemisphere. Read her remarks.

Speaking at the COA’s 38th Washington Conference, Minister Prentice highlighted opportunities to improve North American trade flow, boost infrastructure, and enhance energy security.