During the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) semi-annual conference in Washington, D.C., maritime industry stakeholders came together to talk about the impact of trade policy on ports, particularly Western Hemisphere supply chains.
From March 20-21, 2018, stakeholders participated in general sessions and committee and board meetings to discuss current trends in the maritime industry relevant to Western Hemisphere ports and policy issues within the United States. With fashion products moving through just about every port, there was a lot of conversation about trade. USFIA President Julia K. Hughes spoke about global value chains, and the importance of jobs made possible by global trade.
Bruce Stokes, Director of Global Economic Attitudes, was a featured speaker and his presentation showcases how Americans see trade. In just one lifetime, the U.S. perception on trade has changed dramatically. His data shows that younger generations support trade more than older generations. Americans as a whole are divided when it comes to determining the value of trade on the global economy: 49 percent see it as a bad thing and believe it reduces wages and jobs in the United States, but 44 percent believe it to be a good thing for providing the U.S. market opportunities for growth.
Several USFIA Associate Members were on the roster, including Port Everglades, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Port of Long Beach. Dr. Noel Hacegaba, PPM, Chief Commercial Officer & Managing Director of Commercial Operations at Port of Long Beach, facilitated a discussion on the future of the workforce.