The New Face of the U.S. and Opportunities it Presents

Pacific Links Geography Shared History Demographic links Economy

“ Foreign Policy is economic policy, and economic policy is foreign policy. They are one and the same. There’s no denying that, particularly in Asia-Pacific. … In the 21st century, a nation’s interests and the well-being of its people are advanced not just by troops or diplomats, but they’re advanced by entrepreneurs, by chief executives of companies, by the businesses that are good corporate citizens, by the workers that they employ, by the students that they train, and the shared prosperity that they create.” The U.S. Vision for Asia Pacific, East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii Secretary of State John Kerry, August 13, 2014

US Navy destroyers on maneuver in the Pacific

The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Walnut and a New Zealand seven-man assessment team depart American Samoa for Tokelau.

Disaster Relief – US Navy Ospreys at Tacloban airport shortly after super typhoon Haiyan, Nov 14, 2013

Re-balance – the Trade Context In 2014 the Asia-Pacific region was:  home to over 40% of the world’s population  60% of world GDP  44% of world trade In 2014, Asia-Pacific countries imported roughly U.S. $4 trillion of goods and services from outside the region. By 2022, the Asia-Pacific region will be:  home to 54% of the world’s middle class  and will account for 42% of global middle-class spending By 2022, imports of goods and services from outside the Asia- Pacific region are expected to increase to U.S. $10 trillion.

TPP – the U.S. perspective Trans-Pacific Partnership, U.S. Congressional Research Service, 2012

Investor Visas USCIS administers the Immigrant Investor Program, also known as “EB-5,” created by Congress in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. Under a pilot immigration program first enacted in 1992 and regularly reauthorized since, certain EB-5 visas also are set aside for investors in Regional Centers designated by USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth. All EB-5 investors must invest in a new commercial enterprise, which is a commercial enterprise: Established after Nov. 29, 1990, or Established on or before Nov. 29, 1990, that is: 1. Purchased and the existing business is restructured or reorganized in such a way that a new commercial enterprise results, or 2. Expanded through the investment so that a 40-percent increase in the net worth or number of employees occurs Commercial enterprise means any for-profit activity formed for the ongoing conduct of lawful business including, but not limited to: A sole proprietorship Partnership (whether limited or general) Holding company Joint venture Corporation Business trust or other entity, which may be publicly or privately owned

US Advantages Companies are choosing to locate in the U.S. after weighing its competitive advantages, including: Skills and productivity: The U.S. workforce is among the most skilled and productive globally – more than 30 percent more productive than Germany’s and nearly twice as productive as South Korea’s. Innovation: The United States is the global leader in patents, producing nearly 30 percent of all patents worldwide, and has 15 of the top 25 leading research universities. The United States also has over a third of the world’s total R&D investment, more than any other country. Energy: With a century of reserves, natural gas costs one third as much here as it does in Asia and our low energy costs overall are estimated to save U.S. manufacturers nearly $130 billion annually compared to Europe. Access to markets: Locating in the United States provides unparalleled access to the largest consumer market in the world and rapid access to global markets, with the United States having free trade agreements with 20 other countries and the most rapid export clearances of the 185 countries surveyed by the World Bank.

The New Face of the U.S. and Opportunities it Presents