K 2007 Show Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr.
Düsseldorf, October 25, 2007.
As prepared for delivery.
I am delighted to visit the K 2007 Show in Düsseldorf. I would like to thank the Messe Düsseldorf, its U.S. office, Messe Dusseldorf North America in Chicago, and the Society of the Plastics Industry for inviting me to participate. Before you hear from the real experts, I would like to make a few brief remarks. This year, 57 percent of all K exhibitors come from outside Germany. This 17th International Trade Fair for Plastics + Rubber reflects the global nature of the plastics industry and marketplace. Without free trade and open markets, this industry would not be what it is today – a vibrant and innovative contributor to the economies of many countries, including my own. The industry has a direct effect on the lives of millions of employees and consumers around the world. Free trade and investment have spurred competition and progress not for an elite few, but for the global population. There is virtually no industrial or consumer field, which has not benefited from the progress made in recent decades by the plastics industry. Open competition is tough but the U.S. plastics industry is up to the challenge. I think you’ll hear more about that shortly.
The U.S. is committed to open markets. Emerging markets in Asia and elsewhere are growing in importance, and rightfully so. Nonetheless, Europe and the U.S. are still each other’s most important trading partners and the number one bilateral investment locations for each other by a vast margin. This is no accident. Our economies have greatly reduced tariff and investment barriers to insignificant levels and are working hard at bringing down the remaining non-tariff hurdles as well. The economic relations between the EU and the U.S. are a model for the rest of the world. Together, our trading relationship shows the rest of the world what prosperity can result from free competition and investment. Over 2000 American companies are located in Germany with almost double that number of German companies located in the United States. All together, these firms provide close to 1.500.000 jobs in our two countries.
The plastics industry is no different. The bilateral links between the European and U.S. plastics industries have always been strong. This is reflected in the high number of U.S. exhibitors at K. Over 140 American exhibitors are here. As some of you may know, I too have a bit of experience in running an internationally active company. I know that any company that wants to survive must innovate. Our U.S. plastics industry is doing just that. You will hear more about trends in the U.S. and the innovative materials, technologies and solutions which our companies and the U.S. plastics industry are bringing on the market in just a few minutes. I also encourage you to visit the U.S. Pavilions and the individual U.S. exhibits during the next days. Experts here from the U.S. Department of Commerce are at the show ready to help. They are in Hall 6 1O-02.
Thanks again to the organizers of this great show and the SPI for putting together an impressive display of U.S. ingenuity in plastic at K’ 2007. Industry takes diplomacy out of the ministries and chancelleries and brings jobs, education and hope for millions. It is a great honor for me to represent my country as Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany. But I am also convinced that businesses are the real ambassadors between countries. Thank you for your commitment. I would urge you to do as much as possible to make the public aware of and supportive of the transatlantic relationship and the benefits it brings. Best wishes for a successful and interesting show to you all.
