Global Impacts

American business has undergone a fundamental transformation in recent decades, shifting from a primarily domestic focus to a global orientation driven by technological advances and improved transportation. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in international supply chains, leading to a complex tension between global trade dependencies and calls for domestic production. Chambers can also serve as a conduit to support local businesses expanding their reach into new markets, and encouraging international organizations to consider participation in their local economy.

The global marketplace now extends beyond goods and services to include international talent pools, but businesses face significant challenges in accessing this workforce. Complex visa processes make it difficult to retain foreign graduates or recruit skilled international workers, while unauthorized immigration has become a contentious political issue hindering the ability to grow the talent pool. Chambers of commerce find themselves needing to navigate these challenges, advocating for practical solutions at both state and federal levels to help their members address critical workforce needs while balancing political sensitivities.

  • Does your community embrace its role in the global economy?
  • How can chambers highlight the importance of global markets as a source of talent and commerce? 

By the Numbers

ACCE Insights

Chamber Examples

  • The San Diego Regional Chamber met with U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson to emphasize the importance of a stable trade relationship between Mexico and the United States.
  • The Greater Rochester Chamber partnered with Rochester Regional Health to support the health care network’s efforts to recruit and hire experienced, international nurses, with the hope that they will stay in the community permanently.  
  • Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) is investing $65 billion to build a third semiconductor plant in Phoenix, bringing tens of thousands of jobs to the region. The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation is growing talent pipelines to fill these positions. The foundation has established an Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Collaborative which will launch and scale a new career and technical education (CTE) pathway for semiconductor manufacturing and increase students’ exposure to industry career opportunities.
  • The Longview Chamber supports a statewide coalition dedicated to recognizing the impact immigrants have on the economy and using data to support immigration reform as a way to address workforce challenges. 
  • Kansas City is experiencing a workforce shortage as well as significant growth in its immigrant population. The Kansas City Chamber created Welcoming KC to embrace immigrants, refugees and newcomers to grow the region’s workforce.
  • The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce has an International Business Affiliate Membership to develop, maintain and expand international business and trade opportunities.

Smaller Chamber Examples

  • The Cedar Park Chamber offers Certificates of Origin to local companies shipping products to countries that require them. 
  • The Bellingham Regional Chamber is addressing trade tensions through monthly meetings of its Cross Border Advisory Council, regular communication with regional media and government officials, and an upcoming survey developed to evaluate the local impact of tariffs and reduced cross-border activity.
  • The North Country Chamber created a new Cross-Border Specials webpage featuring Canadian-exclusive discounts. They also launched a new summer ad campaign in Montreal and Ottawa to encourage Canadian visitors.
  • The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission have teamed up to launch and promote a small business tariff response fund to small enterprises during the ongoing tariff war with the United States.

  

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