Jason Kelly | Director, Bryant University Chafee Center for International Business
1. What does the Chafee Center’s new World Trade Center designation mean for Rhode Island businesses looking to expand internationally? Through World Trade Center Rhode Island, companies gain access to a global network of more than 90 countries and 300 locations, connecting them to opportunities and resources for international growth, strategic partnerships, technology transfer and capital investment. Our goal is to make global growth more accessible, particularly for small and midsized companies that may not have dedicated international trade resources.
2. The Global Trade Summit is now in its 40th year. How has the global trade landscape changed since it began? The pace and complexity of change are dramatically different. Global trade today is shaped not only by traditional commerce and trade policy, but also by technology, automation, geopolitics, supply-chain resilience and innovation. That is really the purpose of the summit: connecting business leaders, policymakers, economists and innovators around practical ideas they can take back to their organizations.
3. With tariffs, shifting supply chains and geopolitical uncertainty, what are you hearing from Rhode Island businesses about the current trade environment?Businesses are looking for clarity and flexibility. They want to understand how policy changes may affect costs, sourcing and market access, but they also recognize that uncertainty is not going away. The companies that are best positioned are the ones taking a proactive approach – looking at their supply chains, evaluating new markets, understanding their exposure and staying close to reliable information helpful to tariff mitigation.
4. What do Rhode Island companies need to do to compete and grow in an increasingly global marketplace? First, they need to think beyond the immediate market. That means identifying where demand exists, understanding customers and competitors internationally, and building relationships before they need them. They also need to invest in technology, talent and resilience.
Rhode Island has real strength to build on here, particularly in the ocean economy, defense and life sciences. The opportunity the summit and World Trade Center Rhode Island provide is to connect those strengths with global markets.
5. What role do you want the Chafee Center and Global Trade Summit to play in Rhode Island’s economic development? We want Bryant and the Chafee Center to be a hub where Rhode Island businesses can connect with global expertise, partners and opportunities. Ultimately, success means helping more Rhode Island companies compete globally, attract investment, create jobs and build lasting international relationships.