Press Releases

Today, Congressman Wiley Nickel (NC-13) hosted United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai in Raleigh for a roundtable to discuss how federal investments focused on the AAPI community creates a stronger economy for everyone.

Congressman Nickel and Trade Representative Tai were joined by State Representative Maria Cervania, State Representative Ya Liu, Town of Morrisville Council Member Steve Rao, President of Asian Pacific Islander Outreach (APIO) Ed Binanay, Co-Founder and Executive Director of North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT) Chavi Koneru, Dr. Amalendu Chatterjee, and Vishal Ghadia.

During the roundtable, Congressman Nickel and Trade Representative Tai heard from the panelists on an array of issues, including comprehensive immigration reform, business development, language access barriers, and empowering AAPI communities in North Carolina. 

“It was an honor to host Trade Representative Tai in Raleigh for an important discussion with AAPI leaders and elected officials from the Triangle,” said Congressman Wiley Nickel. “In North Carolina, diversity is our strength. In Congress, I’ll continue to work in a bipartisan way to secure federal funding and support initiatives that benefit and support our diverse communities in North Carolina’s 13th District.”

“Ambassador Katherine Tai's visits to North Carolina have allowed us to witness firsthand her genuine concern for the aspirations of AANHPI individuals and businesses,” said State Representative Maria Cervania. “Her willingness to listen, learn, and take action based on our needs is a testament to her commitment to our community, state and country's prosperity.”

“I thank Congressman Wiley Nickel’s office for facilitating such a constructive discussion with Ambassador Katherine Tai about how critical federal funds were to keeping AAPI small businesses afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said State Representative Ya Liu. “I’m glad to have committed federal partners who continue to help grow AAPI small businesses and strengthen our local economies through access to capital and economic development opportunities.”

“I enjoyed spending time with United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Congressman Nickel on the panel this morning, " said Town of Morrisville Council Member Steve Rao. “I found the conversations to be engaging and informative and am very excited about the work this Administration is doing to ensure that we are investing in Asian American Communities around the nation. 

“I’m appreciative to have sat down with Ambassador Tai and local Asian American leaders to discuss the needs of our community and the over 11,000 AAPI-owned businesses in North Carolina,” said Co-Founder and Executive Director of North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT) Chavi Koneru. “Elevating Asian American voices is incredibly important to NCAAT's mission and having an AAPI representative on the national level that is willing to sit with us, listen to our stories, and share her own experiences is a great step in ensuring a more inclusive future for all Asian Americans.”