Ambassador Teel Bivins A Texan’s Journey to Sweden TEXT: TERESA IVARS PHOTO: TONISICA / WWW.STELLAPICTURES.SE The new American ambassador to Sweden H.E. Teel Bivins hails from the state of Texas, which is much bigger than Sweden in terms of land area and population. While researching into his background I asked myself, what is one the most influential lawmakers and successful politicians, a real entrepreneur in Texas, doing here? Chosen twice, in 1999 and in 2004, as one of the ten best legislators in Texas, he had a lot going for him. Ambassador Bivins believes that it may have something to do with constituencies. “As a politician I represent a constituency and as diplomat I am greatly honoured to represent the whole country.” Mr. Bivins is a Texas gentleman: tall, trim and elegant, with a soft Southern drawl, and he conveys the impression of a thoughtful personality. He speaks softly and in a non-confrontational manner. He welcomed me at his office door and poured me an excellent cup of coffee. He is comfortable in his role as a diplomat. “My horizon has broadened a lot seeing the US from afar and I welcome the opportunity to serve my country and the president in Sweden, a valued partner of the United States.” Noting that there are nine million Swedes in Sweden, as compared to eleven million Swedish Americans, he adds, “So in some way we have a bigger constituency in the United States than we have in Sweden.” A life-long resident of Amarillo, Texas, Ambassador Bivins received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Tulane University in 1970 and SMU Law School in 1974. “But instead of heading to a law firm after passing my bar exam, I did something most lawyers have never done: I bought my first load of cattle. After that I have spent 24 years in the cattle and oil and gas exploration business.” “I am the fourth Texan to lead the US Mission in Stockholm,” he says. “Texans and Swedes surprisingly share many traits, including a love for the outdoors and a willingness to face challenges.” “Our two countries value freedom, democracy and openness. The United States and Sweden are natural partners in aiding freedom’s advance across the globe… It is very easy to do business in Sweden, which is very similar to America. I find it easy to communicate with the Swedish businessmen, and I have learned a lot from them.” Ambassador Bivins considers that bilateral relations between Sweden and the United States are excellent, with no major obstacles. “I am committed to building on this solid relationship, by bringing our countries even closer together, and making our relationship a model for the US and Europe as a whole.” He adds that the two countries share fundamental economic objectives of free trade, transparency and fighting corruption, bilaterally and in international and global institutions. At the top of Ambassador Bivin’s many priorities in bilateral relations is trade. The US is now Sweden’s top customer, and American business is one the largest investors in Sweden. Ambassador Bivins is concerned that, however, Sweden’s exports to the US are three times US exports to Sweden. “One of my specific goals is to increase US exports to Sweden, which have declined in the last few years.” He realizes that this is not a zero sum game, and he does not advocate forcing down Sweden’s exports. “Maybe we should both grow and solve the problem by expanding size of the pie.” Ambassador Bivins realizes that most Americans really don’t know much about Europe or Sweden, but those who are informed see Sweden in a very positive light because it is a democracy, and because Sweden champions the free market system. Mr Bivins says he enjoys living in Sweden. “It is so beautiful here, and the people are so warm and friendly. I read a lot about Sweden before I came, and they said that the Swedes were very shy and retiring. But I found that the Swedes are very kind and outgoing to me and my family, so I like it a lot being here.” The ambassador enjoys the Swedish weather with the changes of the seasons, and he loves the real cold winter in Sweden, and the long summer days. Behind the diplomat lies a loving family man, who talks warmly about his family, his wife Patricia Hamilton, a lawyer, and their baby daughter Carolyn, named after his mother-in-law. He tells us about his close relationship with his two brothers, who visited him with their families last summer, and about his 85 year old mother Betty, who also came to visit him. Ambassador Bivins is full of praise for his friend President Bush. “He is the most principled person I have ever known. He does not pay attention to polls or focus groups. He does what he thinks is right and then goes down the road. He never second guesses himself, which I think is rare among human beings. He is a very intelligent, hardworking man.” Ambassador Bivin’s relishes the challenges of being a US ambassador in Europe at a time when trans- Atlantic differences are being repaired. He believes that the differences between the US and Europe because of the Iraq war are past. “We sometimes need to remind our societies that the increasing integration of the US and European economies has benefited all parties. America and Europe are natural allies, and because they are the most like-minded peoples of the planet, now is time to look at the future.” Q U I C K F A C T S Family: Married to Patricia Hamilton Bivins, father of four Languages: Spanish, Swedish classes Hobbies: Fly fishing Sports: Downhill skiing Favorite Book: The Prince of Tides, by Pat Conroy Favorite food: USDA Beef “The United States and Sweden are natural partners in aiding freedom’s advance across the globe…” © 2006, Swedish Bulletin. All rights reserved