LAST week was a consequential one in the history of American politics. The dust of Election Day continues to linger in the air. I am mindful of you as a reader in Cornwall pondering why the election matters and what relevance it has to the region. 

There are shifting winds and tides in politics - sometimes they are stiff and dangerous - other times they blow us towards real progress. But while politics may stir us, it doesn’t steer us - we are the people who control the wheel. I suggest Cornwall take a firm hold of the wheel, and navigate a course of bold engagement with the United States that we have never seen before. The objective is to widen trade, expand tourism, deepen partnerships, and increase charitable giving into Cornwall. 

Cornwall Trade and Investment recently noted that in a couple of weeks time, a group of leading Cornish geo-resources businesses will be travelling to London to attend Resourcing Tomorrow. This gathering is Europe's largest and most influential mining event. I come away from that news with motivation and confidence.

Cornwall is a world leader in the sector of mining. It is rich in lithium, tin, and tungsten. These are essential minerals for the United Kingdom’s clean energy transition. This positions modern Cornwall to be a resource of best practises and approaches not only in the UK, but potentially in the world. That is huge. If we add to this what Cornwall is doing with agriculture, food production, floating offshore wind, education, and other important industries, we are very well positioned internationally.

This global mindset is what I aim to keep aflame in Cornwall as I engage with so many like-minded and talented individuals across the peninsula. With the backdrop of the US election finally completed, Cornwall can now concentrate on marshalling resources to develop collective strategies to raise the brand of the county in the US. This is an important moment. 

The US election will result in a huge number of people entering political appointments in agencies that oversee foreign policy, global commerce, and international trade. These agencies will include the State Department, Commerce Department, Energy Department, and the office of the US Trade Representative.

We will also see new Members of the US Congress who focus on trade and international relations. And the US will have a new Ambassador to the UK, and the UK a new Ambassador to the US. All of this is relevant to Cornwall and the aspiration of deepening engagement with the US so as to benefit the county economically. 

Coming out of an election, I believe strongly that there is definitely an opening for the Cornish brand in the US. Let’s take that opening. Cornwall is very special and unique - a place political figures, businesses, tourists, students, investors, and philanthropists, etc, need to hear much more about. The Cornish story is a compelling one to be confident about in showcasing to our friends across the pond. 

As I sit here in the Washington, DC area absorbing the changing season, I am inspired by the brand of Cornwall and the wonderful people behind it who make it both exceptional and unique. I know others in the US would feel the same if they could just learn more about it, and see it for themselves for the first time. Let’s be ambitious, creative, build capacity, and get to work. I am hopeful and excited by the prospects that are ahead. 

• Ian Houston is a regular columnist for the Voice Newspaper. He resides in the Washington, DC area.