BRANSON MO NEWS: JEFFERSON CITY • Amid escalating international trade tensions that have sent jitters through the stock market and spread worry across farm country, Missouri has revamped the way it represents itself in foreign trade offices around the globe.In a move that officials say will save money and allow the state to be more nimble in its response to inquiries about doing business with Missouri, Gov. Eric Greitens’ administration in December eliminated its contracts with representatives in 11 individual nations and put the program under the umbrella of one company.“Our companies will not even know our operation has changed,” said Ann Pardolas, manager of Missouri Department of Economic Development’s international trade office.
Under the new contract, the state will establish business hubs in Europe, Asia, Middle East, the Americas and one key metropolitan area located within the United States, DED spokeswoman Maggie Kost said.“As part of these hubs, we will maintain physical offices in Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and in New York,” she added.The change comes as the U.S. and China are jostling over President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum. In response, China has imposed tariffs on incoming products like pork and fruit.China is Missouri’s third largest trading partner and pork exports represent a significant portion of what flows from the Show-Me State to Asia.In 2016, Missouri’s exports of goods to China totaled $1.8 billion, up 76 percent from a decade ago, the U.S.-China Business Council said.Missouri’s exports to China supported 17,200 American jobs in 2015, the council said.In his first year as governor, Greitens visited China as part of a trade mission to Asia. The Republican newcomer returned pledging to expand the relationship.
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