On September 21-22, Ambassador Sherman kicked off a series of travels through Portugal in a campaign to raise visibility of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). On September 21, the first day of the trip, the Ambassador joined over 300 Harley-Davidson riders in an annual ride, this year beginning in Évora and stopping in Herdade do Vale do Sabroso, in the Alentejo region. At Herdade do Vale do Sabroso, the Ambassador and his wife Kim Sawyer were able to meet with fellow riders and view many models of Harley-Davidson motorcycles on display.
At each stop, the Ambassador asked about the challenges businesses face in exporting to the U.S., and heard how reduced tariffs and mutually-recognized regulations from TTIP would help these Portuguese businesses access U.S. markets. The Ambassador’s initiative to visit businesses in different regions of the country aims to promote TTIP while explaining how Portugal would benefit from increased trade and investment with the United States, including in terms of competitiveness and creation of jobs. The initiative will also give the Ambassador a greater understanding of the vast range of Portuguese businesses and innovation, as well as a greater appreciation of the beautiful landscapes and diverse culture of Portugal.
