John Donahoe and U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker Announce Partnership to Promote U.S. Exports and Trade

February 26, 2014

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Yesterday, during a roundtable event with eBay executives, eBay small businesses and officials from the U.S. Department of Commerce, U. S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and eBay Inc. CEO John Donahoe announced a partnership for U.S. trade and investment expansion.  The partnership will focus on increasing awareness of the economic benefits of trade, specifically the important role that small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) can play in growing America’s export economy.

“At eBay we are committed to creating opportunities for businesses of all sizes to participate in the global marketplace, which is why we’re so pleased to partner with the Department of Commerce on this effort, “ said John Donahoe. “In today’s digitally-connected world, every business can export and help grow our American economy.” 

Access to the Internet and digital platforms, like eBay and PayPal, have created new and exciting opportunities for small businesses interested in participating in the global market.  What was once only possible for big companies, is now available to hundreds of thousands of small Internet-enabled businesses and entrepreneurs all across the United States.  "Without the infrastructure of eBay and Paypal, it would be virtually impossible to make our products available to a world-wide marketplace.  eBay has broken down the barriers of technology, language, and currencies, opening the door for our small business to securely reach our customers worldwide, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” said Nick Martin Founder of The Pro's Closet, eBay's Largest Used Cycling Store.

Although eBay Inc. has shown that technology and innovation can solve many of the barriers facing technology-enabled traders, there are barriers that can only be removed by government action and coordination.  A majority of the world’s trade laws were developed in a “pre-Internet” era and current trade policies complicate international opportunities for  many US small businesses.  eBay Inc. supports public policies that propose to eliminate artificial barriers to e-commerce and is appreciative of the Department of Commerce’s commitment to action on this important issue. 

Last year, John Donahoe was appointed by President Obama to the President’s Export Council in an effort to help develop positive public policy around international trade. 

The partnership was introduced in a memorandum of agreement  (MOA) between the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce and eBay Inc.  For more information on the Department of Commerce and the agency’s trade initiatives, please visit the International Trade Administration.  Learn more about eBay Inc.’s trade story and our efforts to promote positive international trade policy.