Washington, D.C. ? Continuing a mission launched in 1986 to promote international trade and boost high-paying jobs and economic activity in Iowa, Sen. Chuck Grassley today announced he will host scores of international ambassadors, economic ministers and trade representatives on his sixth biennial tour of Iowa, from August 11-15, in 14 Iowa communities.
Grassley said the ambassadors will get rural and urban tastes of Iowa during the week-long "meet-and-greet" trade tour through Northern, Eastern and Central Iowa. Scheduled visits include stops in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport, Clinton, Maquoketa, Dubuque, Dyersville, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Clear Lake, Mason City, Hampton, Marshalltown, and Des Moines.
"Iowa is a rising star in the global marketplace," said Grassley. "This trip will afford members of the international diplomatic corps an opportunity to see a slice of the real America. What's more, it will offer key international trade leaders a fresh perspective about our state, including high technology advancements, sophisticated financial and insurance services, educational facilities, quality manufactured goods, raw commodities, and value-added agricultural products."
As chairman of the International Trade Subcommittee in the U.S. Senate, Grassley works to help secure fair trade for U.S. exports. Considering Iowa's economic dependence on international trade, Grassley focuses on ways to break down barriers blocking market access to Iowa farmers and manufacturers. Looking out for such unfair trade barriers, Grassley is keeping tabs on trade agreements for U.S. genetically modified crops, including Bt corn, and other American exports to Europe, South America and the Pacific Rim. At the first-ever meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Grassley provided a voice for American agriculture at the negotiating table last December in Singapore.
Fostering good relations with new and existing trading partners is an integral part of Grassley's effort to showcase Iowa's people, products and places. As in previous years, Iowa families will open their homes to host the international guests overnight. Scores of testimonials indicate these home stays provide a strong measurement of the tours' successes.
According to Ambassador Mohammad Bin Hussein Al-Shaali, of the United Arab Emirates, who attended Grassley's 1995 Ambassadors Tour, Iowa's "...hospitality is legend and your goal of fostering global relations...was certainly attained with great success."
Grassley tips his hat to the Iowa families and host communities who are helping to make the 1997 Ambassadors Tour a success. Completely funded by private individual and corporate sponsors, Grassley also is working with the Iowa Department of Economic Development to maximize the benefits of this sixth international trade visit to Iowa.
Please note ? A complete schedule and list of countries sending trade representatives will be available by the end of this month.