APCAC Washington Doorknock 2019

AMCHAM joined 12 other Asia-based Chambers as part of the Annual APCAC Doorknock to Washington D.C. held from July 14-18. APCAC for those who recall our successful Business Summit last year,  is the loose council of 28 American Chambers under the banner of the Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers. This July, much of the discussion focused on trade issues and the impact of U.S. – China trade measures and its subsequent impact on the rest of the region.  

The first day was spent hearing from members of the current Administration including Kelly Ann Shaw, Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council; APCAC, Special Advisor for East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Office of the Vice President.  The highlight of the day was Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State who provided 30 minutes of his busy day to speak to the group. 

Meetings with think-tanks and other political experts made up most of the second day. The wide array of people provided additional context to ongoing issues and the general landscape as we move towards election year. In the afternoon, the group adjourned to the Capitol Building where members of Congress and the Senate were able to come by to speak to us in between the calling of votes as the Government were in session.  This year we were able to see Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL), Rep. Suzan DelBane (D-WA), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Sen Bob Menendez (D-NJ) amongst others. 

The third day was the one that required very comfortable shoes as we made our way to the offices of a set of Representatives and Senate for meetings with key staff or the officers themselves,  to allow them the opportunity to hear directly from people working in the region. The four day program was capped with a half day event with the National Center for APEC who held an Asia Pacific Policy Forum on Promoting Economic Opportunity and Prosperity across the Asia-Pacific with Moody’s Richard Cantor (Chief Credit Officer,  Moody’s Investors Service) providing the opening remarks.