eBay Inc. CEO John Donahoe became the newest member of the President’s Export Council Thursday after President Barack Obama appointed Donahoe to the prestigious advisory committee on international trade. In this role, Donahoe will advise the president on policies and programs that affect U.S. trade, including opportunities to expand cross border trade opportunities for businesses that use eBay Inc. products and services.
“I’m honored to participate on the council with esteemed leaders of the international trade community,” Donahoe said. “The face of global trade is changing, and it’s exciting that in today’s digitally connected world businesses of all sizes are exporting and helping grow the American economy.”
“The face of global trade is changing, and it’s exciting that in today’s digitally connected world businesses of all sizes are exporting and helping grow the American economy.”
Traditionally, small businesses have faced the greatest cross border trade hurdles. However, eBay Inc.’s global commerce platforms have helped level the playing field for small businesses looking to engage in the international marketplace. eBay Inc. products and services not only lower trade barriers, they make exporting as accessible for small businesses as it is for large multinationals. Ninety-seven percent of commercial sellers on eBay export, according to eBay’s Commerce 3.0 report - an eBay study of real trade flow data. Additionally, PayPal predicted in its Modern Spice Routes report that cross-border trade will grow by 200% in the next five years.
Despite such success, the clear economic benefits demonstrate it is time to redouble efforts to open opportunities for businesses to access global markets. eBay Inc. works with stakeholders to advance policies that break down trade barriers for businesses of all sizes, such as reducing customs complexity for small merchants by increasing de minimis thresholds, enabling online businesses to accept duty-free returns from their international customers and streamlining global shipping processes.
Donahoe’s appointment was one of several announced by the White House yesterday. In a White House press release, President Obama said, “I am grateful that these talented and dedicated individuals have agreed to take on these important roles and devote their talents to serving the American people. I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years.”
The President’s Export Council advises the President of government policies and programs that affect U.S. trade performance; promotes export expansion; and provides a forum for discussing and resolving trade-related problems among the business, industrial, agricultural, labor, and government sectors. Other export council members include executives from Boeing, UPS, and Ford Motor Compnay, members of Congress, governors, mayors, and various cabinet officials.