SBA Office of International Trade

Use Free Trade Agreements to Help You Sell to Foreign Markets

U.S. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are a great way to sell to international customers.  The U.S. has a number of FTAs in place that help small businesses enter and compete more easily in foreign markets (U.S. trade agreements). By reducing trade barriers and creating a more stable and transparent trading and investment environment, FTAs make it easier for U.S. small businesses to export products and services to these markets. FTAs also work to bring down trade costs that should provide a competitive advantage for small businesses compared to international competitors.

To build awareness of U.S. trade agreements, the opportunities they create, and of the resources available to help your business, SBA’s Office of International Trade is showcasing particular markets. 

On March 2, OIT jointly hosted a webinar Coffee with the Embassy of Colombia and SBA: Trade Opportunities Between the U.S. & Colombia highlighting the specific opportunities in the Colombian market, the benefits of the US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, and the resources available to support you in pursuing international sales in Colombia.

To help you figure out how to take advantage of a trade agreement, OIT has several resources to help. On OIT’s Trade Tools for International Sales website, you can explore all the U.S. trade agreements, including the US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. In addition, last year, we had a Learn to Trade Roundtable on Going Global with Trade Agreements that provides information on how to take advantage of trade agreements and resources available to help you.

As you pursue international sales, you should be sure to explore SBA’s State Trade Expansion Program and export financing options that can help you in your export journey.  If you have questions about selling internationally, SBA’s export programs, or want to be connected with your local STEP contact or SBA Export Finance Manager, please reach out to SBA’s International Trade Hotline toll free 855-722-4877 or email international@sba.gov.

Join SBA’s Next Learn to Trade Virtual Roundtable

“Accessing the Mexican Market”

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

2:00pm EDT

REGISTER

Want to learn about exporting to Mexico? Join SBA’s Office of International Trade for the next installment in our new Learn to Trade Roundtable Series on Accessing the Mexican Market. We will be joined by an expert from the U.S. Commercial Service Office in Mexico City.

In this 45-minute session, you will learn about the Mexican market – a top export destination for U.S. small businesses – and additional support and resources for small businesses selling to Mexico.

This session will cover:

• Overview of the Mexican market and its requirements
• Learn how to take advantage of US – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA)
• Resources to help you access the Mexican market

U.S. Minority Business Focused Trade Mission

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), is organizing an executive-led Minority-Business Focused Trade Mission (MBTM) to Southwestern Europe: Italy, Spain, and Portugal from Sunday, May 15, 2022 to Saturday, May 21, 2022. This mission is aligned with a key goal of the Biden-Harris Administration to build back better with equity. The purpose of the mission is to provide opportunities for U.S. companies to access the Southwestern European regional market and increase U.S. exports to the European Union (EU) region by connecting U.S. firms and trade associations to pre-screened business prospects. Trade mission activities will be designed to target the export assistance needs of minority businesses. These three European countries represent approximately 23% of the total European GDP, totaling over $3.1 trillion reaching a population of over 117 million. In 2020 U.S. exports to these markets reached over $34.4 billion. 2022 Minority-Business Focused Trade Mission (MBTM) to Southwestern Europe

  Learn to Trade: Export Controls

April 12, 2022 at 12:00 pm (Eastern)

Another helpful session in the Learn to Trade Roundtable Series on the topic: 

Understanding Export Controls.

This 45-minute session will provide you with an overview of the fundamentals of understanding and complying with U.S. export controls when selling internationally.  We will be joined by experts from the Bureau of Industry and Security. The session will cover:

• How to determine if your products are covered by U.S. export controls
• What red flags should small businesses look for
• What support is available if you need assistance
• Learn about USG resources to help small business exporters and manufacturers

REGISTER

Complying with U.S. Export Controls Seminar

March 15-18, 2022

Save the date. The U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) will be offering a virtual training seminar on how to comply with U.S. export controls.  For further information please contact the BIS Western Regional Office at (949) 660-0144, (408) 998-8806, or by email, or monitor the BIS Seminar Schedule for updates.

ROMANIA AEROSPACE & DEFENSE TRADE MISSION

Part One: ROMANIA DEFENSE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE – open to all companies with aerospace and defense products and services

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Click to Registration – deadline to register: March 15, 2022

Please join the U.S. Commercial Service in collaboration with the Economic Development Collaborative, Los Angeles SBDC Go Global, California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), and Virginia SBDC to learn about business opportunities with Romania’s Ministry of Defense and Romania’s defense industry. This two-hour webinar will provide you with in-depth insights on current and future requirements, where to find procurement opportunities, and how to bid on available contracts.

Part Two: ROMANIA VIRTUAL TRADE MISSION – open only to California companies with aerospace and defense products and services

April 1 – April 29

Click to Register – deadline to register: March 15, 2022

The U.S. Commercial Service in collaboration with the Economic Development Collaborative, Los Angeles SBDC Go Global and the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) will facilitate virtual meetings for 10 California companies with potential business partners including government officials and prime contractors in Romania. California delegates will first participate in the virtual conference to learn about business opportunities in Romania. Next, ten California companies will meet one on one with potential business partners in Romania. Questions? Contact Simona Racek at sracek@smallbizla.org .

VetsGoGlobal: Secure Sales Across The Globe

Join the U.S. Commercial Service for a complementary two-part webinar series to help you grow your international sales in 2022. Learn about export resources, international sales opportunities, access financing, and export tools. If you are a U.S. Veteran-owned or Service-Disabled Veteran-owned business, don’t miss this opportunity to learn about export resources, international sales opportunities, financing and export tools.

Cost: FREE

Event Information:

• SESSION 1: April 5 – Know Your Export Partners and Resources. Export Tools to grow your business.

• SESSION 2: April 19 – Choosing sales channels, foreign reps, and distributors. 

To Register: click here.

Question? Please email: bernadette.rojas@trade.gov

Trade Resources

SBA’s Trade Hotline

Do you have questions about tariffs or customs compliance, need information on new international markets, or advocacy on your behalf with a foreign government regarding a pending contract?  Please call the SBA toll free (855) 722-4877 or email your contact information and trade issues to international@sba.gov.

Can official advocacy help your business win deals?

In global procurement deals, our Advocacy Center may be able to provide you with assistance in the bidding process. They’ve helped hundreds of companies be successful. Learn more about Advocacy services and get answers to all your questions.

Tips for choosing a sales channel.

There are several options for selling to a new foreign market, and intermediaries that can help you find buyers and partners. Watch our short video and then keep reading on the web page to learn more. Which approach is right for you?

What does it mean to be export ready?

Wondering when it’s best to start looking for international sales opportunities? Watch our short video and check out an assessment to help determine if your business is in an ideal position for growth.

New Reports to Plan Your Global Business 

Grow internationally with our Market Intelligence!  Produced by U.S. Commercial Service trade experts at U.S. embassies and consulates, check out these recent reports:

• El Salvador Incentivizes Electric Vehicles
• New Zealand Agribusiness & Farm Water
• Japan Space Industry Commercialization
• Saudi Arabia Solar Energy Sector
• Italy 3D Printing
• Or Search for another country or industry.

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