Washington, D.C. – Ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Israel Business Initiative today released a series of policy recommendations for the new Congress and administration aimed at strengthening the U.S.-Israel economic relationship. The policy recommendations outline a new framework to re-energize the economic and commercial partnership between the two countries, through including a High-Level Economic Dialogue and increased collaboration in key industry sectors.
“In addition to our security alliance, Israel has long been one of our most important economic allies. Our commercial ties support thousands of American jobs and drive innovation in key industry sectors such as water, energy, health care, and cyber security,” said Myron Brilliant, executive vice president and head of International Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “With the start of a new administration, we have a unique opportunity to reconsider our strategy towards Israel in a way that strengthens our bilateral partnership. Our recommendations would advance the U.S.-Israel economic relationship and our overall strategic alliance by establishing consistent engagement at the highest levels of the administration.”
The report recommends that the new administration create a new U.S.-Israel Strategic Economic Partnership by establishing a High-Level Economic Dialogue with Israel, launching working groups to advance collaboration in key industry sectors, intensifying collaboration on innovation, and enhancing U.S.-Israel regulatory cooperation. The full list of policy recommendations is available here. The Chamber also previewed the proposed framework in a New York Observer op-ed.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. Its International Affairs division includes more than 70 regional and policy experts and 25 country- and region-specific business councils and initiatives. The U.S. Chamber also works closely with 117 American Chambers of Commerce abroad. The U.S.-Israel Business Initiative (USIBI) is the premier vehicle advancing the bilateral commercial relationship between the United States and Israel.
