Bill Fanjoy is the Director of the Department of Commerce’s Virginia and DC US Export Assistance Centers (USEAC’s). His Office helps US businesses find partners in other countries. He gave an example of a fast oil change franchiser who wanted to find business partners in other counties. USEAC advises the US business of likely promising over seas markets, the rule of law, and prospect of getting paid. The US company is vetted by USEAC and the US Embassy in the over seas country vets the prospective business partner. The US company pays a fee of $700 for USEAC’s services. If needed, the US Import/ Export Bank is used to guarantee a loan in the foreign country to finance the deal (at no cost to the US Tax Payer).

David Stewart talked about his latest book about James Madison’s partnership with Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson, Monroe, and Dolley Madison in the story of the end of the US beginning.  Short, plain, balding, and low on charisma and high on intelligence, Madison cared more about achieving results than taking the credit.   To reach his life long goal of a self-governing constitutional republic, he blended his talents with key partners.  He wrote the Federalist Papers with Hamilton to secure the Constitution’s ratification; added the Bill of Rights; joined with Jefferson to form the first political party; and joined with Monroe to guide the new nation through the War of 1812 (the Second War of Independence).

The new Brazilian Ambassador, as of March 1st, was the former Foreign Minister. Trade relations with the US is a very important Brazilian agenda. Trade Minister Richardo Monteiro talked about the Brazilian economy (the largest in South America) and trade with the US and other countries. Brazilian investment in the US is 3/1 over US investment in Brazil. Deep water drilling in Brazil is profitable at global oil price of $45 per barrel. Brazil exports oil but imports refined gas, because of insufficient refining capacity. Foreign bidders are accepted for infrastructure building and oil drilling. Brazil’s export to China is mostly commodities, though export of manufactured goods is robust to other countries.