April 20, 2023

Duckworth Hosts Virtual Manufacturing and Trade Resource Fair for Illinois Businesses

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – During her webinar to provide support and guidance for Illinois’s robust trade and manufacturing sectors, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today spoke with small business owners and economic leaders from across the state about resources and her work to boost trade, manufacturing and workforce development for Illinoisans and all Americans. The Senator highlighted her congressional delegation visits to the Indo-Pacific to help position Illinois as an ideal place for trade investments as well as her work in D.C. to help bring manufacturing jobs to the state. Thanks in part to Duckworth’s advocacy, Illinois is expected to see billions more in global exports. Today’s webinar titled “An Introduction to Manufacturing and Trade in Illinois”, was co-hosted by the Illinois District Export Council.

“As a hub of agriculture, manufacturing and innovation, our great state is uniquely prepared for greater investment, including from our international partners, and folks across Illinois depend on high-paying and high-skilled jobs, workforce development and ultimately, a path for themselves and their loved ones to thrive,” Duckworth said. “Those are the sort of investments for working families that I’m pushing for every day in Washington. I look forward to continuing to work with leaders at all levels to help keep the economy strong, save money for working families and make sure Illinois can remain a competitive leader in trade and manufacturing.”

As a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Duckworth is committed to positioning Illinois on a global stage. Earlier this month, she applauded the regulatory change in Japan that will lead to an increase in imports from U.S. biofuel producers, supporting our farmers and growing Illinois’s economy. The announcement came after she traveled to Japan and Indonesia in February to strengthen economic ties and grow foreign investment in the United States. Last year, she traveled to South Korea and Taiwan where she met with business, government and trade leaders, which helped lead to a joint venture between Illinois’s ADM and South Korea’s LG Chem, as well as a commitment from Taiwan to purchase an estimated $2.6 billion of our state’s corn and soybeans.

The Senator also strongly supported the CHIPS and Science Act, which is helping ensure our nation can remain a competitive leader in research and development, science and manufacturing for generations to come.

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