CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials have signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade related to the state’s commodities.
Gov. Jim Justice, state Commerce Secretary Ed Gaunch and U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., participated in the announcement Wednesday, as did representatives of Vietnam.
“International trade and working together with one another is so, so important to West Virginia,” Justice said. “As we move forward in all of the areas that can benefit each other — whether they be energy, agriculture or aerospace — all of the different things that are available to each and every one of us, we look forward to working very closely with you.”
Miller noted West Virginia is a “commodity state,” and adding or changing trade policies will impact its future.
“I know West Virginia stands ready to supply and export to Vietnam significant quantities of our abundant and high-quality coal and natural gas among other areas and industries,” she said.
Gaunch credited Miller for her work related to trade; Miller told MetroNews before last November’s election a significant portion of her job is developing trade relationships.
“I have been working diligently sort of as an ambassador to our state to let other countries know what incredible resources we have here, what a wonderful workforce we have here, and working on direct foreign aid into the economy,” she said.
Miller helped launch the Congressional Energy Export Caucus last October, which focuses on domestic energy and furthering trade with global partners. She is also a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.