California International Affairs and Trade Development Interagency Committee Meeting Recap 

 

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, April 22, 2025   
Contact: Press@ltg.ca.gov, (916) 445-8994

 

SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis convened California’s International Affairs and Trade Development Interagency Committee to discuss recent and future international engagements with California’s international partners.

 

“International trade is critical to California’s prosperity and the economic well-being of our people. President Trump’s tariff policy is a direct threat to our state. Governor Newsom has taken the bold step of challenging the Trump Administration’s unlawful use of the International Economic Powers Act and has reached out to our many international friends and trading partners to remind them that California is not Washington. The Golden State remains open for business and continues to welcome international trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.”

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis

 

During the meeting, representatives of the California Environmental Protection Agency, California Natural Resources Agency, California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, Visit California, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) provided updates on their international engagements for the first quarter of the year and outlined actions they intend to take to enhance California’s international relations, as directed by the Governor in his April 4, 2025 announcement.

They highlighted ongoing collaboration sin the field of climate change and emergency management planning, and discussed how growing economic uncertainty and related geopolitical issues are posing a direct threat to our tourism and shipping/logistics sectors.

 

California’s Economic Leadership: A Global Powerhouse

As the world’s fifth-largest economy, with a GDP of over $3.9 trillion, California continues to lead the nation—and the world—across nearly every major economic sector. We are the top state for new business formation, venture capital investment, and foreign direct investment.

Our leadership spans key industries: 

  • #1 in the U.S. for manufacturing output

  • Home to the largest number of tech business establishments

  • A global center for entertainment, agriculture, and semiconductors

California’s economic strength is powered by global connections. 

  • 1 in 4 California jobs is tied to foreign trade

  • In 2023 alone, the state exported over $185 billion in goods to global markets

  • Home to the busiest port complex in the nation, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which move 40% of U.S. imports and 25% of exports

With a consumer base larger than any other state, and a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and equity, California isn’t just leading the future—we’re building it. 

 

ABOUT THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR:

As Governor Newsom’s Representative for International Affairs and Trade Development, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis has led the advancement of California’s position as a respected and significant player in subnational international relations. A former United States Ambassador, she has consistently championed California’s interests and values on the global stage.

 

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS & TRADE DEVELOPMENT INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE: 

Governor Gavin Newsom issued executive order N-08-19 on February 28, 2019, establishing Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis as the Governor’s Representative for International Affairs and Trade Development and creating the International Affairs and Trade Development Interagency Committee.

Committee members include: 

  • Dee Dee Myers, Director, GO-Biz 

  • Toks Omishakin, Secretary, California State Transportation Agency

  • Wade Crowfoot, Secretary, California Natural Resources Agency

  • Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture

  • Yana Garcia, Secretary, California Environmental Protection Agency

  • Liane Randolph, Chair, California Air Resources Board

  • Caroline Beteta, CEO, Visit California

  • David Hochschild, Chair, California Energy Commission

  • Nancy Ward, Director, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

  • Samuel Assefa, Director, Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation