On February 17, 2026, Profs. Anke Finger and Sebastian Wogenstein submitted testimony in support of the proposed S.B. No. 132 which seeks to establish a new Trade Commission for Connecticut and Germany. There are already two Commissions established, with Ireland and with Puerto Rico, and another is proposed with India. The proposed Trade Commission with Germany would further solidify strong ties that started in 1989 with the German state of Baden-Württemberg and Connecticut.

More information about the bill is available here, with the full bill linked as a PDF. A list of Public Hearing Testimony is listed on the site as well.

What is the Commission’s focus?

As Liuba Ulianova, one of Connecticut’s teachers and a member of UConn’s Early College Education’s German program, emphasizes in the Westport Journal, the proposed Trade Commission “could have a meaningful impact on our German program here in Westport.” “I think it would really open doors,” said Josephine Lewertoff, 17, a Staples junior. “I think it would provide a lot more opportunities to use the language.”

For more information, please contact anke.finger@uconn.edu.