U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske emphasized the importance of international trade security at the Second World Customs Organization Global Authorized Economic Operator Conference held in Madrid, Spain, on April 28-30.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske focused on trade security in a panel session at the recent Global Authorized Economic Operator Conference in Spain.
"Economic prosperity depends on a consistent, stable and predictable environment for commerce,” said Commissioner Kerlikowske. “And security plays a critical role in creating and protecting those stable and predictable conditions." In linking those concepts, he conveyed the message that trusted trader programs will grow while enhancing supply chain security.
The Commissioner affirmed CBP’s commitment to supply chain security in its Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program, the U.S. version of the global AEO program. He underscored that the U.S. will continue to actively pursue mutual recognition arrangements with international partners that have AEO or authorized operator programs grounded in supply chain security.
The conference of over 900 participants focused on improving cooperation and partnership among customs organizations, the private sector and other trade stakeholders.