USTDA Launches Global Freight Rail Initiative

(USTDA) ARLINGTON, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency launched its Global Freight Rail Initiative to bolster the competitiveness of American exporters that are vying to supply U.S.-manufactured rail equipment and services to high-growth emerging markets around the world. Under the Initiative, USTDA will utilize the full breadth of its proven toolkit to support American rail industry jobs including: early stage project preparation assistance that informs how emerging market rail projects will ultimately be designed, financed and implemented; and reverse trade missions (RTM) that bring overseas decision-makers to the United States to showcase the technological edge and Made-in-the-USA quality and reliability that American rail companies offer.

“USTDA is excited to launch the Rail Initiative, which will support high-paying U.S. manufacturing jobs across the country,” said USTDA Acting Director Thomas R. Hardy. “American rail companies have outstanding products and services that can advance the infrastructure goals of our partner countries. Through the Rail Initiative, USTDA will help to make these products and services accessible by introducing our partner countries to innovative, world-class American-made rail goods, technologies and services.”

USTDA has a history of success generating exports of U.S.-manufactured rail equipment. Recently, the Agency hosted a Brazilian delegation interested in rail efficiency technologies that could support the safety and operational efficiency of Brazil’s passenger and freight rail systems. The USTDA-hosted visit has, to date, resulted in more than $50 million in U.S. exports of rail maintenance equipment.

The projects supported under the Global Freight Rail Initiative will continue building on this success, beginning with the recently completed China Freight Rail Operations Reverse Trade Mission, which visited Indiana, Illinois and Washington, D.C.