Under Secretary Fernandez will travel to Michigan May 28 to 30 to participate in the Mackinac Policy Conference, the premier Midwest policy and economic gathering of government and industry leaders to discuss current policy challenges and opportunities in the critical minerals, batteries, and electric vehicle sectors, and their associated supply chains as well as meet with industry and labor representatives in Detroit.
While on Mackinac Island, Under Secretary Fernandez will see firsthand how foreign direct investments in Michigan’s critical production sectors are contributing to the U.S. economy and our sustainable, clean energy transition thanks to incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act. Under Secretary Fernandez will also engage with Michigan public officials to highlight the State Department’s work on Subnational Diplomacy, which strengthens the relationship between the State Department and state and local governments.
In Detroit, Under Secretary Fernandez will meet with Michigan-based companies, including a site visit to the General Motors technology and innovation campus, where he’ll tour their state-of-the-art design lab. Alongside Special Representative for International Labor Kelly Fay Rodríguez, Under Secretary Fernandez will also engage with labor unions, such as the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), to talk about the Department’s work on critical minerals, supply chain resilience, and emerging technologies, and identify ways the State Department could strengthen foreign commercial advocacy to benefit Michigan’s private sector and promote job creation.
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