Readout of Secretary Napolitano's Remarks at the CBP 2012 East Coast Trade Symposium

Press Release

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today delivered remarks at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 2012 East Coast Trade Symposium, highlighting the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) efforts to facilitate legitimate trade and travel while securing our nation's borders.

"Economic security and homeland security are inextricably linked," said Secretary Napolitano. "DHS is committed to working with public and private sector partners, both in the U.S. and around the world, to secure the global trade and travel networks that are essential to our economy."

During her remarks, Secretary Napolitano underscored the importance of expediting legitimate trade and travel while ensuring the security of the global supply chain. In January, Secretary Napolitano unveiled the Obama administration's National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security to promote the efficient and secure movement of goods while fostering resilient supply chain systems.

Over the past several years, DHS has deployed unprecedented levels of personnel, technology, and resources to strengthening security and expediting legal travel and trade at our nation's borders and ports of entry. This year, CBP will facilitate about $2 trillion in trade while enforcing U.S. trade laws that protect the economy and the safety of the American people.

Secretary Napolitano also highlighted the Department's efforts to work closely with industry partners and foreign governments on cargo security. Through the Container Security Initiative, CBP officers work with foreign counterparts in more than 58 overseas ports to identify and screen high-risk cargo before it enters the United States. DHS has further enhanced engagement with industry through the new Centers of Excellence and Expertise. The Centers focus on industry-specific issues to provide tailored support to unique trading environments, as well as offer a single point of processing for businesses enrolled in Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism--a voluntary, public-private partnership program with importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers and manufacturers to strengthen cargo security through the global supply chain.

Source