As a follow up to President Biden’s 2021 Global Supply Chain Summit, the U.S. Department of State and Department of Commerce co-hosted the 2022 Global Supply Chain Ministerial this July. The goal of this forum was to discuss near-term supply chain bottlenecks and building long-term supply chain resilience – and small business was front and center.
Jose Fernandez, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment for the State Department led this effort, which brought together 16 foreign partners across six continents to explore solutions to supply chain challenges. As the global economy improves and the US continues to outpace other developed nations, there is a sense that work needs to continue.
Prior to his current role, Under Secretary Fernandez was a partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP in New York and he was named “World’s Leading Lawyers” by Chambers Global. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Under Secretary Fernandez about the work he is leading and his work supporting American businesses at home and abroad. Below is our discussion.
Rhett Buttle: Tell us about your role at the State Department and how your past experience as a lawyer and professor prepared you?
Under Secretary Fernandez: As the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, I lead a wide-ranging portfolio that promotes the State Department’s efforts to develop and implement international policies related to economic growth, energy, agriculture, the ocean, the environment, and science and technology. I work on topics ranging from food security and energy security to promoting the necessary transition to clean energy and strengthening supply chains, among many others.
A commercial lawyer’s job is to get to a deal while protecting the client’s interests. A professor must explain the course material in a way that inspires and motivates the students. These are useful skills for a diplomat to have.
Rhett Buttle: Given that there are 195 countries in the world, what are the overarching priorities of the State Department as it relates to the economy? What does the State Department think about the private sector, small business, and entrepreneurship?
Under Secretary Fernandez: The State Department is working to keep the U.S. competitive for the 21st century. We are supporting the transition to clean energy, working to end the Covid pandemic and preventing future pandemics, strengthening supply chains to make them less vulnerable to disruptions, and guarding against and responding to economic coercion by strategic competitors and adversaries.
The private sector is an essential partner in the State Department’s economic statecraft. Small business drives innovation and job creation, not only in our country but around the world. Entrepreneurship provides job growth and opportunity for people around the world. It drives positive change in societies when everyone – including women and historically underserved communities – have a chance to start and grow their own businesses.
Rhett Buttle: The Secretary of State and Commerce Secretary have talked about foreign policy for the middle class? What does this mean?
Under Secretary Fernandez: The President has talked about growing our economy from the bottom up and middle out. The Biden Administration believes in inclusive economic growth – growth that does not leave anyone or any community behind. We are pursuing the same objective with our allies and partners. It means we do not just invite large companies to the table, we also include small business – women and minority-owned and native-owned business, along with unions, workers, and civil society to develop policies that work for everyone. It means that when we talk about creating a level field for U.S. exports, we make it clear that we will not compete on the backs of our workers by pursuing policies that…
Read More: A Conversation With Jose Fernandez, Under Secretary For Economic Growth, Energy, And The Environment