MISSOULA, Mont. – Montana is set to participate in the upcoming Global Business Forum in Marseille, France. The Montana World Trade Center, operating from the University of Montana's business college, will represent the state in international discussions on tariffs and trade policies.
Brigitta Miranda-Freer, Executive Director of the Montana World Trade Center, emphasized the importance of understanding international perspectives on U.S. trade policies. "Especially in light of what's happening, and we have some of the most rapidly changing U.S. trade policies in decades occurring right now," said Miranda-Freer. "I think it's really important for me, and the businesses that we work with, and for our state to have as much clarity and line of sight into how businesses in other countries and consumers in other countries are feeling about U.S. trade policies."
The World Trade Centers Association is a global network with over 300 locations worldwide. The forum's registrant list includes various countries, highlighting the international scope of the event. Miranda-Freer expressed concerns about the impact of tariffs on Montana industries, particularly agriculture and small businesses. She is eager to speak with foreign representatives who have ties to Montana about how tariffs affect their U.S. operations.
"Montana is very much tied to international trade policy and what's happening, and we are impacted like everyone else," Miranda-Freer added. "It's you, it's me, it's our friends and neighbors around the state. It's every Montana consumer or U.S. consumer that's going to pay more for things that they buy every day because of this new round of tariffs that has been put into place."
Miranda-Freer stressed the importance of keeping Montanans connected to these international discussions, even as they take place in France with multiple countries involved.
