Partnership with U.S. Department of Commerce Continues

May 19, 2015

As part of eBay’s ongoing efforts to support World Trade Month, last week eBay CEO Designee Devin Wenig and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker co-authored an opinion piece entitled “The rise of the micro-multinational, and why it matters to the U.S. economy”. The opinion piece highlights the work eBay has done to support small business trade and the important partnerships we have forged with global governments, including agencies like the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.

This is the latest in a long list of engagements between eBay and the U.S. Department of Commerce. Last year eBay and the Commerce Department announced a partnership to promote U.S. exports and trade. This joint effort has since focused on increasing awareness of the economic benefits of trade, as well as the import role small and medium-sized enterprises play in growing America’s export economy.

And this great partnership continues. Earlier this month, as part of our 10th annual U.S. of eBay Advocacy Day in Washington D.C., eBay and the Department of Commerce held a “Listen and Learn” session. This great event provided policy makers with an opportunity to meet with many of the small businesses that are part of eBay’s Small Business Ambassador Network, bringing to life the experiences and challenges seen by technology-enabled exporters. The event also touched on the following subjects:

  • U.S. government export tools available to Internet-enabled small businesses
  • Better integration of internet-enabled small businesses into government-run export promotion programs and services
  • Breaking down trade barriers for internet-enabled small businesses through policy changes

These are just some of the recent trade-related activities eBay has led or participated in on behalf of eBay sellers. eBay and the eBay Government Relations team will continue to partner with governments across the globe to ensure small internet-enabled businesses thrive and grow.