Date 27 January 2010

As we enter 2010, preparations for the World Trade Expo opening in May are reaching completion. China has spent $45 billion to transform Shanghai in anticipation, and many countries have already completed construction of their national pavilions, with 90% complete overall.

The American pavilion is set to be completed by March. Thus far, 85% of the $61 million of funding has been raised. US law prohibits governmental funds to be allocated towards trade pavilions, so the American pavilion is fully self-raised. Furthermore, the president of Expo construction, Nicholas Winslow, states that he is “very comfortable about the financing” of the project.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has also been very involved in the project, and both she and President Obama visited the site during their trip to China in November of 2009. After a rocky outset to the project amid the problems caused by the economic recession, the nonprofit group in charge of the pavilion has gathered funds remarkably quickly. Sponsors include Chevron, PepsiCo, Microsoft, Dell, and GE.

Themes which will be showcased inside of the pavilion include those of sustainability, teamwork, health, and “embracing challenges.”  To accompany this, there will also be an anticipated multimedia presentation displaying American values. In addition, there will be a welcome area and an area with five buildings illustrating American themes.

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