Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Meets with France’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Anne-Marie Idrac

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke hosted a meeting with France’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Anne-Marie Idrac, at the Commerce Department today. This was their first meeting.

Secretary Locke and Minister of State Idrac shared views on the importance of increasing trade and economic growth. Locke affirmed, “The U.S. government is committed to expanding trade and avoiding protectionist policies.”

The Secretary suggested that the Doha Round must be balanced and ambitious. “The United States and France would benefit from increasing trade with developing nations,” he said.

He also highlighted opportunities that both countries have to grow the economy by focusing on the creation of green jobs and the exports of green technologies. Locke provided detail on how the Commerce Department is working to identify and assist U.S. exporters of green building products. Idrac noted that she is promoting French green technologies in the United States.

The Secretary raised concerns about the French government’s views toward agricultural biotechnology, saying he’s concerned that France is moving away from sound science.