By Alexander Cornwell

DUBAI, (Reuters) – Robert Clark was the U.S. Commissar General for Expo in Dubai. Clark was appointed Tuesday by President Joe Biden. Clark stated on Tuesday that he would push Congress to adopt legislation to permit the government’s financing of future international fairs.

Congress prohibits the United States from using public money to participate in Fairs Organized by the Bureau International des Expositions, (BIE), such as the Expo which began in Dubai last week.

The pavilion was funded by the United Arab Emirates, its principal security partner. It is home to the U.S. Exhibition and costs $60 million.

Clark spoke at Expo, stating that one of his missions was to “educate the United States Congress on both sides to the advantages of participation in Expo.” Clark said at Expo, “I’m having those discussions now.”

Clark is Expo’s highest ranking U.S. Government representative.

Clark indicated that congressional delegations will be visiting the Expo and that Clark would emphasize the importance of public money so the government can use it moving forward.

Clark was a businessman, who had been unpaid for less that a month. Clark was speaking with reporters at the U.S. pavilion. The U.S. pavilion features a Space X Falcon 9 replica rocket, and a Koran, owned by Thomas Jefferson.

Outside the pavilion, “United States of America,” is in English or Arabic. At the Pavilion’s Restaurant, visitors can enjoy “New York” Bagels as well as Budweiser beer. In the souvenir Shop, they can also purchase NASA T-shirts.

U.S. officials predict that its pavilion will draw more than 2,000,000 visitors over the course of the fair. The fairgrounds are expected to attract 25 million visitors, according to Expo organizers.

Nearly 200 countries are participating in the Dubai fair. This includes adversaries Russia and China. The U.S. has stated that it would be interested in hosting the “Specialised Expo”, a smaller event, in Minnesota in 2027.