Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
Empowering Growth, Securing Our Future
Every day, the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB) works to create jobs at home, boost economic opportunities overseas, and make America more secure. Under the leadership of Acting Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment and Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Manisha Singh, we promote a strong American economy by ensuring a level-playing field for American companies doing business around the world and attracting foreign investors to create jobs in America. Economics has become the indispensable foreign policy tool of our time, enabling us to build relationships through trade and enforce sanctions against terrorists, human rights abusers, and corrupt officials. Everything we do is to ensure that the United States remains the world’s strongest and most dynamic economy.
Leadership»
Embassy of Australia / Nov 02, 2018
ITU Image / Nov 02, 2018
State Dept Image / Oct 24, 2018
State Dept Image / Oct 24, 2018
State Dept Image / Oct 24, 2018
State Dept Image / Oct 24, 2018
Global Magnitsky Sanctions on Individuals Involved in the Killing of Jamal Khashoggi
Secretary Pompeo (Nov. 15): "The U.S. imposed sanctions on seventeen Saudi Arabian individuals for serious human rights abuse resulting from their roles in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi at the Consulate of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2. This action was taken under the authority of Executive Order 13818, which implements and builds upon the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act." Full Text» Treasury Release»
Update on Iran Policy And sanctions
Secretary Pompeo (Nov. 5): "Our objective is to starve the Iranian regime of the revenue it uses to fund violent and destabilizing activities throughout the Middle East, and indeed around the world. Our ultimate goal is to convince the regime to abandon its current revolutionary course." Full Text» Constraining Iran's Nuclear Program»Treasury Fact Sheet» Outlaw Regime Report» More»
Election of Ms. Bogdan-Martin to the ITU
Department Spokesperson Nauert (Nov. 2): "The U.S. congratulates Doreen Bogdan-Martin for her election as Director of the International Telecommunication Union’s Bureau of Telecommunication Development. We were honored to support her candidacy for this position and believe she is the right person for the job. Ms. Bogdan-Martin is the first woman to be elected for any senior leadership position at the ITU in its 153-year history." Full Text»
Agricultural Applications of Precision Biotechnology
Department Spokesperson Nauert (Nov. 2): "We welcome the International Statement on Agricultural Applications of Precision Biotechnology. Precision biotechnology innovations, such as gene editing, will help our farmers and ranchers and others around the world to increase productivity and promote plant and animal health." Full Text»
Travel to Brussels and Jerusalem
From October 18-22, Assistant Secretary Manisha Singh traveled to Brussels and Jerusalem. In Brussels, the Assistant Secretary attended the Privacy Shield annual review. President Trump has appointed Assistant Secretary Singh to perform the duties of the Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, including those of the Privacy Shield Ombudsperson. On October 21, Assistant Secretary Singh conducted bilateral meetings in Tel Aviv, and on October 22, she participated in the 33rd U.S.-Israel Joint Economic Development Group session in Jerusalem. More»
2018 AWARD FOR CORPORATE EXCELLENCE
Assistant Secretary Singh (Oct. 5): "The winners today in Sustainable Operations and Women’s Economic Empowerment are a sign of our times. At this point in consumer purchases, we’ve found that American consumers, worldwide consumers, want to purchase products that are sourced responsibly, that are made by companies who care about the environments in which they operate. So responsible business is not just a smart thing to do, but it also contributes to a company’s bottom line." Full Text» More»
2018 Benjamin Joy Award
Assistant Secretary Singh (Oct. 4): "The Benjamin Joy Award was created in 2016 to recognize the benefits to American businesses and to America’s foreign policy when the U.S. government works together to advance commercial diplomacy and help U.S. firms, bringing to the effort all of our interagency tools...Congratulations to all of our nominees for their outstanding work and especially to our winner Embassy Vientiane." Full Text»
Sanctions on Venezuelan Individuals and Entities
Sept. 25: The U.S. imposed sanctions on four current or former officials of the Government of Venezuela. The U.S. will continue to take concrete and forceful action against those who are involved in the destruction of democracy in Venezuela. More»
Oversight of U.S. Sanctions Policy
Assistant Secretary Singh (Sept. 13): "Sanctions are a central component of our economic pressure strategies. When utilized effectively, they are a significant source of power which can be used to shape the behavior of rogue regimes and malicious global actors." Full Text»
The U.S. and UN Sanction Libyan Militia Leader Ibrahim Jadhran
Sept. 12: Today, the United States, in coordination with the UN Security Council’s Libya Sanctions Committee, imposed financial sanctions on Libyan militia leader Ibrahim Jadhran. More»
The U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Supporters of the Syrian Regime
Sept. 6: Today, the United States imposed financial sanctions on four individuals and five entities that have facilitated weapons or fuel transfers, or provided other financial or material support, to the Assad regime in Syria. More»
Assistant Secretary Singh's Travel
From August 26 - September 5, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Manisha Singh traveled to Tokyo, Manila, Singapore, and Mumbai. During her travel, the Assistant Secretary shared the Administration strategy for ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including the recent launch of new infrastructure and digital economy initiatives. More»
Secretary Pompeo Announces Iran Action Group
Secretary Pompeo (Aug. 16): "I am happy to announce the creation of the Iran Action Group. The Iran Action Group will be responsible for directing, reviewing, and coordinating all aspects of the State Department’s Iran-related activity, and it will report directly to me.... Brian Hook will lead the Iran Action Group with the formal title of Special Representative for Iran." Full Text» Briefing»
Assessing Humanitarian Assistance Efforts in Uganda
Aug. 3: As the world’s largest provider of humanitarian assistance, including to refugees and internally displace persons, the U.S. government is uniquely positioned to respond to these crises. The U.S. government has provided over $277.9 million in the last year and a half to protect refugees and provide life-saving food, water, and healthcare assistance in Uganda. DipNote»
Keynote Address at Indo-Pacific Business Forum
Secretary Pompeo (July 30): "The Trump administration is committed to expanding our economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. We seek to capitalize on opportunities in accordance with the principles of freedom and openness." Full Text»
9th U.S.-Japan Policy Cooperation Dialogue on the Internet Economy
July 27: The United States and Japan emphasized their continued commitment to an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure Internet during the ninth meeting of the U.S.-Japan Policy Cooperation Dialogue on the Internet Economy in Washington, DC, on July 23 and 24, 2018. More»
C5+1 Working Group Meetings a Success
From July 20-23, U.S. government officials met with senior delegations from the five Central Asian republics in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to discuss progress under the three C5+1 Working Groups -- Environment, Economic Connectivity, and Security. More»
Advisory on Sanctions Risks for Businesses With Supply Chain Links to North Korea
July 23: The U.S. Department of State, with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is issuing this advisory to highlight the sanctions evasion tactics used by North Korea that could expose businesses -- including manufacturers, buyers, and service providers -- to sanctions compliance risks under U.S. or United Nations sanctions authorities. More» Advisory»
2018 Investment Climate Statements
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary McFeeters (July 19): "These annual reports ... provide country-specific information on the business environments of more than 170 countries and economies. U.S. firms of all sizes can look to these reports as a resource for identifying markets in which to do business." Full Text» Media Note»
Travel to Greece, Turkey, and Kazakhstan
Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Manisha Singh travels to Athens, Greece; Istanbul, Turkey; and Almaty, Kazakhstan, July 16-20. More»
African Women Entrepreneurs Expand Business Networks in the U.S.
July 12: Twenty-two women entrepreneurs from 13 African countries arrive in the United States this week to connect with their American counterparts and accelerate the growth of their businesses through the African Women's Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP). More»
Global Magnitsky Designations for Nicaragua
Spokesperson Nauert (July 5): "Today, the U.S. government sanctioned three individuals from Nicaragua who have been involved in serious human rights abuse or engaged in corruption. As a result of today’s actions, any property, or interest in property, of those designated within U.S. jurisdiction is blocked." Full Text» Briefing»
world food prize announcement ceremony
Assistant Secretary Signh (June 25): "I commend the World Food Prize Foundation and Dr. Haddad and Dr. Nabarro for their ground-breaking contributions and for emphasizing that poor nutrition in early childhood can lead to fewer educational opportunities, poor development, and ultimately economic decline." Full Text»
Support for Canada and European Union Sanctions Regarding Burma
Spokesperson Nauert (June 25): "The State Department is working closely with our allies and partners to promote accountability for those responsible for the ethnic cleansing in Rakhine State, and for serious human rights abuses against members of other minority groups, including in Kachin and Shan States." Full Text»
SelectUSA Investment Summit
Secretary Pompeo (June 22): "As a result of the President's policies, international companies and investors are already coming here full speed. ... And the State Department is a key player in facilitating commerce that benefits both the American people and our partners." Full Text»
2018 Kimberley Process intersessional
From June 18-22, the United States participated in the 2018 Kimberley Process Intersessional in Antwerp, Belgium under the chairmanship of the European Union. This year, the U.S. is proud to support the Kimberley Process reform agenda inside the KP’s Ad Hoc Committee on Review and Reform. More»
The 5th U.S.-Republic of Korea Bilateral Cyber Consultations
The 5th United States-Republic of Korea Bilateral Cyber Consultations were held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on June 21 to strengthen our joint commitment to an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure cyberspace. More» 4th ICT Policy Forum»
Secretary Pompeo Delivers Remarks on Economic Diplomacy
Secretary Pompeo (June 18): "Today we have over 200 officers serving in our Economic Bureau and 1,500 economic officers serving in embassies all across the world. Each of those individuals has the job to make sure that we continue to have the most robust economy, the most dynamic economy, in the entire world." Full Text» More»
Managing Competition in Regional Security Cooperation
Assistant Secretary Singh (June 2): "As the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs, in my work, I have full view of a key principle of President Trump’s National Security Strategy: that Economic Security is National Security...National security and economic security are interwoven, and economic measures play a direct role in fostering security." Full Text»