World Trade Center-Kansas City News: March, 2023
Apr 06, 2023
A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
Spring is in full swing at the WTC-KC. In March, we were honored to host the trade team from the Canadian Consulate in Chicago for a business roundtable. The team shared insights on the investment relationship between the U.S. and Canada, and on Canada’s biggest industries. Locally, we held our second “Talking Trade” networking event at the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce. WTC-KC, U.S. Commercial Service and Kansas Department of Commerce all presented on the services they provide for Kansas City companies looking to expand internationally. Attendees discussed successes and challenges in international business.
In April, we are focused on kicking off the second cohort of the Heartland Export Accelerator Program. We welcomed our new businesses at a luncheon in March, and this month, we will begin our programming, led by Kansas City experts.
To help our partners gather valuable data to improve their programming and processes, please consider completing the below surveys:
Please contact us with any trade needs.
Events
UPS Small Business Challenge
Apply by April 10
Apply here
KC World Trade Day
KC International Steering Committee
May 10
Save the Date
U.S.-China Agriculture Roundtable: Global Food Security
United States Heartland China Association
April 4-13
Register here
R&D and Talent Development in Semiconductors Webinar
U.S. Commercial Service
April 11
Register here
Kansas Governor’s Exporter of the Year Nominations Open
Kansas Department of Commerce
Due April 15
Nominate here
2023 KC SmartPort Annual Industry Briefing – The Electric Revolution
KC SmartPort
April 12
Register here
Offshore Technology Conference
U.S. Commercial Service
May 1-4
Learn more here
Doing Business with Japan
WTC-KC
May 23
Register here
Advanced Technologies for Methane Abatement Business Briefing (Algeria, Egypt, Libya)
USTDA
May 24
Register here
Doing Business with Italian Ports: Venice & Chioggia
U.S. Commercial Service and International Trade Administration
May 25
Register here
KC Rising Horizon 2023
KC Rising
May 25
Register here
ACE Export Compliance Webinar
U.S. Census Bureau
June 6-7
Register here
Infosecurity Europe
U.S. Commercial Service & International Trade Administration
June 20-22
Apply to Exhibit
Heartland Export Accelerator Public Showcase
WTC-KC
July 12
Save the Date
Food Expo Pro
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
August 17-26
Register here
Conference and Exhibitions on International Trade & Foreign Direct Investments for Manufacturing, Services, and Agriculture sectors
Global Expo – India
December 21-31
Dispatches from DC

Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS) formed a partnership that revolutionizes the use of nuclear-powered submarines between the three member countries, specifically for use in the Indo-Pacific region. This partnership was announced on March 13, 2023, resulting in implications far beyond the bounds of this treaty for the United States and its allies, China, and nuclear nonproliferation. AUKUS will provide new pathways for information sharing regarding nuclear technology between Canberra, London, and Washington. The production and usage of nuclear-powered submarines are projected to occur over the next three decades, rolling out in three phases, with expected delivery dates of new submarines by the U.S. to occur in the late 2030s and from Australia in the 2040s. Washington has been portraying AUKUS as a new kind of “nuclear stewardship,” referring to the safety and security of a state's nuclear stockpile, rewarding Australia’s good nonproliferation track record. However, China, the main critic of this treaty, states the spirit of the original Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is being violated.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson said this treaty is “walking further down the path of error and danger” according to a CBS news report. Although other foreign powers like India and Brazil do not believe AUKUS violates the NPT, and member countries say the treaty is in adherence to the NPT by not deploying any nuclear weapons. AUKUS is in place to properly protect and deter an invasion of the Indo-Pacific Ocean and send a needed warning message to an increasingly aggressive China. The full ramifications of this treaty and the United States and China’s relationship have yet to come to light; however, Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned of “conflict and confrontation” surrounding a variety of recent issues between the United States and China the Associated Press reports.
WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO

Trade Deals Under the Radar
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Yeutter Institute
- Listen here
The AUKUS Caucus
- The Trade Guys
- Listen here
RESOURCES

- CBP Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Statistics Dashboard by Husch Blackwell
- Net Zero’s Trade Imperative: A case study on the global demand for solar technology by Hinrich Foundation
- Sanctions 2022 in review by Dentons
- Tools for Women-Owned Businesses by EXIM Bank