Wal Mart Canada

Last summer, I visited a Wal-Mart global sourcing conference in Brazil and saw firsthand how small- and medium-sized developing world producers wanted to connect to the international stream of commerce. This October, I stopped by a Wal-Mart in Shenyang, a city in China's old industrial northeast. In addition to talking to the brothers who ran the Kodak Kiosk and eating at the Kentucky Fried Chicken on the premises, I asked some Chinese customers why they shopped at Wal-Mart: "Everyday low prices for quality goods," they replied. We filled a basket with American-made goods for sale there -- including California pistachios that we brought back for Chairman Bill Thomas [Republican chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee]! ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Transcript: Bush Economic Advisor Says Reforms Justify Pain for Japan

DR. HUBBARD: Well, I think that Wal-Mart is making a-well, I don't want to comment on Wal-Mart's business decision. Decisions like Wal-Mart's reflect a sense of potential in the Japanese economy. The Japanese economy is one in which some reforms of business would lead to very significant improvements in economic growth. Distribution in retail has long been an area in which those improvements are needed. Wal-Mart, of course, provided a great deal of competitive pressure for reforms in the United States in the retailing and distribution efforts. So I think that Wal-Mart's interest reflects what many businesses probably believe, which is that there are enormous opportunities for business in Japan if one can get past the current economic situation. ... [Read More]

"Trading in Freedom: The New Endeavor of the Americas" by U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick, "Free Trade Area of the Americas" -- U.S. Department of State, October 2002

Knowing the importance of trade in the Americas, the president asked me to visit our friends here frequently. During my year and a half as trade representative, I have traveled to Argentina, Brazil, Canada, the Caribbean, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay to listen and learn. Last month, I journeyed to Trinidad and Tobago to discuss the special needs of small island economies with the trade ministers of the Caribbean Community and Common Market. Later this month, I will visit Bolivia and Ecuador. I have met with small businesses competing to be a part of Wal-Mart's global sourcing network in Brazil, entrepreneurs in Colombia, and factory workers and environmentalists in Chile -- and I have seen the face of hope. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Fact Sheet: U.S. Offers Historic Amounts of Aid to Afghanistan

-- Wal Mart is donating $25,000 to the project. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Transcript: Officials Say U.S. Wants Agriculture Talks

I'll give you another example. You know, I was talking with people from one of the major retailers, Wal-Mart, probably employs more people in America than anybody else. You go look at their shelves. Where do you think their products come from? And, you know, do their employees realize that their jobs frankly depend on open trade? That's part of the message we've got to get done at a micro level over the next weeks, but also over the longer term, and we discussed, actually, some things that Ann and I might be able to do in farm country, to go out and talk a little bit more about this. ... [Read More]

"COMERCIAR EN LIBERTAD, LA NUEVA EMPRESA DE LAS AMERICAS" - Area de Libre Comercio de las Américas, ALCA - Perspectivas Económicas - Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos - octubre 2002

El presidente, que comprende la importancia del comercio para las Américas, me instruyó para que visitara con frecuencia a nuestros amigos aquí. Durante el año y medio en que he desempeñado el cargo de representante de Comercio he viajado a Argentina, Brasil, Canadá, el Caribe, Chile, Colombia, México, Perú y Uruguay para escuchar y aprender. El mes pasado, viajé a Trinidad y Tobago para discutir las necesidades especiales de las pequeñas economías isleñas con los ministros de comercio del Mercado Común y la Comunidad del Caribe. Más adelante, en este mes, viajaré a Bolivia y Ecuador. Me he reunido con las pequeñas empresas que compiten por formar parte de la red mundial de contratos de Wal-Mart en Brasil; con empresarios en Colombia y obreros industriales y ambientalistas en Chile, y he visto el rostro de la esperanza. ... [Read More]

Robert Zoellick, " Commercer en liberté : la nouvelle ambition des Amériques" - Département d'État des États-Unis - octobre 2002

Conscient de l'importance des échanges commerciaux dans le continent américain, le président m'a demandé de rendre fréquemment visite à nos amis de la région. Pendant mes dix-huit premiers mois au poste de représentant pour le commerce extérieur, je me suis rendu en Argentine, au Brésil, au Canada, dans les Caraïbes, au Chili, en Colombie, au Mexique, au Pérou et en Uruguay, pour écouter et apprendre. Le mois dernier, je suis allé à Trinité-et-Tobago pour m'entretenir avec les ministres du commerce de la Communauté et du Marché commun des Caraïbes des besoins particuliers des petits États insulaires. À la fin du mois, j'irai en Bolivie et en Equateur. J'ai rencontré les dirigeants de petites entreprises qui cherchent à faire partie du réseau mondial des fournisseurs de Wal-Mart au Brésil, des entrepreneurs en Colombie et des ouvriers et des militants écologistes au Chili - et j'ai vu le visage de l'espoir. ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

A variety of groceries, including fresh fruits and vegetables, packaged foods (both domestic and imported), dairy products, and meats is available. Supermarkets stock fresh and frozen meat and fish, dairy products, fresh produce, and canned and packaged goods. Major U.S. food packagers produce such goods in Mexico as cereals, bakery products, and beverages -- but sometimes with a slightly different taste than what you may be accustomed to. Widely available fresh fruits include pineapple, papaya, watermelon, avocado and cantaloupe year round. Several large markets have both typical and unusual Mexican and tropical fruits and vegetables. Many specialty shops sell ethnic foods -- including Middle-Eastern -- locally produced fresh kosher meats, and imported frozen foods. Most food items are available at reasonable prices, but imported items are only available at prices higher than in the United States. Most of the larger supermarkets feature sections devoted to imported goods. Smaller shop ... [Read More]