Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
September 24: Sam Rikkers Global Markets in a Time of Tariffs: Lessons from Recent WI Trade Missions
--submitted by Eric Krieghoff
Sam Rikkers, Deputy Secretary/COO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, has been with WEDC for over 6 years now; their mission at the WEDC is to build an economy that works for all Wisconsinites. Highlights from his presentation include:
It’s tough to make investment decisions from foreign companies right now with the uncertainty around the U.S. trade policy. If we can get companies to Wisconsin, we can get them to continue to invest and expand here.
WI and Japan have a great trade partnership. WI is Japan’s largest provider of FDI (Foreign Direct Investment).
Some great start-ups here in WI include Bee-Bella in Oshkosh (hand-crafted bees wax products), and Great Dane Brewing Company (the owner actually works in the kitchen at Great Dane).
Despite the uncertainty, Wisconsin continues to engage with our country-partners such as the state of Hessen, located in Germany. WI has a sister-state partnership with Hessen. A ‘sister-state’ partnership is a long-term partnership – in this case trade and business – between two communities in two countries.
Guest Speaker starts at 21:43 minutes.
September 24: Sam Rikkers Global Markets in a Time of Tariffs: Lessons from Recent WI Trade Missions
--submitted by Eric Krieghoff
Sam Rikkers, Deputy Secretary/COO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, has been with WEDC for over 6 years now; their mission at the WEDC is to build an economy that works for all Wisconsinites. Highlights from his presentation include:
It’s tough to make investment decisions from foreign companies right now with the uncertainty around the U.S. trade policy. If we can get companies to Wisconsin, we can get them to continue to invest and expand here.
WI and Japan have a great trade partnership. WI is Japan’s largest provider of FDI (Foreign Direct Investment).
Some great start-ups here in WI include Bee-Bella in Oshkosh (hand-crafted bees wax products), and Great Dane Brewing Company (the owner actually works in the kitchen at Great Dane).
Despite the uncertainty, Wisconsin continues to engage with our country-partners such as the state of Hessen, located in Germany. WI has a sister-state partnership with Hessen. A ‘sister-state’ partnership is a long-term partnership – in this case trade and business – between two communities in two countries.
Guest Speaker starts at 21:43 minutes.
