The National Summit being held June 15-17 in economically hammered Detroit is bringing attention to actions that will improve America's ability to compete in the 21st century. The meeting convened by the Detroit Economic Club has attracted a cross-sector of prominent business, government and academic leaders in debate and dialogue in four areas of vital importance to America's future in a global economy: Technology, Energy, Environment and Manufacturing. Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. who co-chaired the meeting said government intervention has taken the automobile industry into uncharted territory, and he called for "transparency" from Washington. "There are issues that we just don't have answers to yet in terms of government ownership in our industry and what that's going to mean," he told reporters. "We don't know what the implications are going to be, but one thing's for sure: I like our position." Ford Motor is the only American automaker not been bailed out by Washington and has not filed for bankruptcy.
Business leaders called for the US to create a clear strategy to remain a competitive leader in industry and other sectors of an economy in crisis. 
The meeting reflects growing interest to formalize an "industrial policy" similar to those used in Asia and elsewhere to help nurture businesses in a tough global environment. Summit co-chair Andrew Liveris, chairman and CEO of Dow Chemical Co., called for "a modern-era industrial policy, one built for the 21st century." "The life force and strength of this country has to be rebuilt," Liveris told the gathering. "It has to be rebuilt by American industry." Liveris said that "maybe we all became enamored with the idea of making money from money. And we forgot that making real things, real innovative things, still matters." Michigan Senator Carl Levin said the notion of industrial policy for many years was "anathema to many people … it was a killer label." But he said there is a growing recognition including at the White House of the need for more government involvement in the economy. "There is recognition finally in this country that our global competition is not just with companies, but with the governments that support those companies," Levin told a summit forum. "It's a fundamental awakening." "Our goal is nothing less than to reinvent our economy," Beth Chappell, Economic Club CEO said in welcoming remarks. "We're going to compile these proceedings into America's to-do list."
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