Growth, Jobs and Open Markets Archives

China

Published on January 18, 2024

Trends and Challenges Facing Companies in China:

  • The United States is the largest investor in China, and China is the United States’ third largest trading partner, with one of the largest economies in the world.
  • Despite being an important trading partner, trade-restrictive requirements persist for USCIB members doing business in China, including forced technology transfers, foreign investment restrictions, severe digital and cloud market access prohibitions, inadequate intellectual property protection, significantly disadvantaging and weakening the global competitiveness of U.S. companies.

USCIB’s Response:

  • Support resumption of bilateral dialogue and cooperation with China in order to stabilize relations, discuss disputes and effectively manage this extensive economic relationship that has been in downward spiral for several years.
  • Advance U.S. business concerns regarding China’s implementation of its WTO obligations and compliance with the “Phase One” U.S.-China Economic and Trade Agreement, specifically with USTR and the U.S. government interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee.
  • Promote Administration coordination with allies at the OECD, WTO, G20, G7 and other global forums on a collective approach to addressing security and supply chain concerns, distortive trade practices and securing a level playing field with China.
  • Oppose tariff wars and efforts to repeal Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China without meaningful consultation with industry and serious consideration of the economic harm it would cause.
  • Press for stronger, earlier and broader business engagement to ensure policies linked with economic security, such as investment screenings, are narrowly targeted and transparently implemented.
  • Monitor legislative and regulatory developments in the National People’s Congress and the central government in China

Magnifying Your Voice with USCIB:

  • USCIB is the only U.S. business association formally affiliated with the world’s three largest business organizations where we work with business leaders across the globe to extend our reach to influence policymakers in key international markets to American business.
  • We engage with our sister business organizations in China—the China Chamber of International Commerce (ICC China) and the China Enterprise Confederation (IOE China)—to address top issues facing U.S. companies engaged in trade and investment with China.
  • We build consensus with like-minded industry peers and participate in off-the-record briefings with policymakers both home and abroad.

USCIB on LinkedIn

Chair

Vacant

Staff

Alice Slayton Clark
Senior Vice President for Trade, Investment, and Digital Policy
asclark@uscib.org

Staff

Ashley Harrington
Policy & Program Assistant, Washington
aharrington@uscib.org

 

 

Trade and Investment

Published on January 15, 2024

Trends and Challenges Facing U.S. Business:

  • Open markets for trade and investment have contributed to macroeconomic stability, global prosperity and job growth in the United States and around the world. This truth is being eclipsed today by protectionist pressures and policies built on the false premise that market liberalization must be paused in order to advance social and environmental goals.
  • The U.S. must reclaim its leadership role in engaging partners on a clean and just economy while opening markets and leveling the playing field for U.S. goods, services, agriculture, digital, and investment.

USCIB’s Response:

  • Press for the resumption of U.S. leadership, including in global fora like the OECD and WTO, to advance U.S. business interests and confront discriminatory action against U.S. goods and services, unfair foreign trade practices, and denial of market access. Read about USCIB’s Advocacy Campaign on the OECD accession process.
  • Advocate for more trade and regional diversification to help businesses cushion shocks and sustain domestic operations while expanding economic opportunity for allies to join global production networks.
  • Caution against calls to onshore or localize production and urge close collaboration with industry to develop policies that minimize unintentional economic harm while advancing national or economic security interests.
  • Promote U.S. resolve in enforcing obligations under trade agreements like USMCA and in upholding commitments under WTO agreements, including the Agreements on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT).
  • Urge the return to long held U.S. positions in support of strong digital trade rules and progress on advancing 21st century standards for the full range of services trade.
  • Discourage counterproductive measures that undercut our international commitments or could lead to retaliatory measures that hurt U.S. companies and workers.
  • Maximize foreign direct investment and defend the provisions of international investment agreements that safeguard U.S. foreign investments and help investors obtain fair treatment without compromising legitimate regulation.
  • Encourage a truly inclusive consultation process that considers business views equally among stakeholders, to advance on-the-ground, pragmatic and innovative practices that safeguard our national economic interests.

Magnifying Your Voice with USCIB:

  • USCIB is the only U.S. business association formally affiliated with the world’s three largest business organizations where we work with business leaders across the globe to extend our reach to influence policymakers in key international markets to American business
  • We build consensus with like-minded industry peers and participate in off-the-record briefings with policymakers both home and abroad.

USCIB on LinkedIn

Chair

Charles R. (Rick) Johnston
Managing Director, Global Government Affairs
Citigroup Inc.

Staff

Alice Slayton Clark
Senior Vice President for Trade, Investment, and Digital Policy
asclark@uscib.org

Ashley Harrington
Policy and Program Assistant, Washington
aharrington@uscib.org

 

 

USCIB Meets With OECD to Offer Business Perspectives for OECD’s US Economic Survey

Published on January 10, 2024

Representatives from the U.S. desk of the OECD’s Economics Department met with USCIB members and staff on January 8 to solicit business input into the next OECD United States Economic Survey. The OECD typically conducts these economic reviews every two years to assess the macroeconomic and structural policy challenges facing economies and offer recommendations.

A robust group of USCIB members participated in the meeting including Rick Johnston (Citi), Jerry Cook (Hanesbrands), Carolina Costa (RELX), Elizabeth Tate (Albright Stonebridge Group) and Cristian Rodriguez-Chiffelle (Boston Consulting Group). They discussed early findings from the OECD analysts that the United States will be experiencing a soft landing with weak economic growth expected in 2024, with GDP project at 1.5 percent, unemployment over 4 percent and abatement of inflationary pressures and wage growth. This led to a conversation about business outlooks on U.S. industrial policies (e.g. CHIPS Act), China trade policy and the impact of tariffs, U.S. retreat from economic globalization, economic security and reduced business voice in economic policy debates.

“As always, USCIB greatly appreciates the opportunity to meet with representatives from the OECD,” said Senior VP for Policy and Global Strategy Norine Kennedy. “As the sole U.S. representative to Business at OECD (BIAC), USCIB is in a unique position to offer invaluable U.S. business perspectives. We are committed to this important analysis and work of the OECD in providing well-informed recommendations to the U.S. government.”

OECD Surveys aim to promote a better understanding of a given country’s economic situation, identify the key challenges facing that country’s authorities and provide recommendations to improve the country’s overall economic performance.

 

Politico Cites USCIB in Article on USTR’s Extension of China 301 Tariffs

Published on January 2, 2024

Politico’s Weekly Trade newsletter mentioned USCIB’s inclusion in an Americans for Free Trade (AFT) statement: USTR Extension of China Section 301 Tariff Exclusions. Americans for Free Trade (AFT) is a broad coalition of American businesses, trade organizations and workers.

AFT was cited as delivering a rebuke, responding to a decision from USTR to extend tariff exclusions for another five months on 77 medical goods and 352 non-medical products that were scheduled to expire on December 31.

Read more on Politico’s website. Subscription may be required.

USCIB Joins ICC Commission Meetings on Customs in Brussels, Hosts USCIB Customs Events in Midwest

Published on December 6, 2023
L-R: Valerie Picard (ICC), Megan Giblin (USCIB), John Bescec (Microsoft & ICC), Florence Binta Diao-Gueye (ICC)

On November 21, USCIB Senior Director Customs and Trade Facilitation Megan Giblin, alongside USCIB members from IBM and Microsoft, among others, participated in the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Global Customs and Trade Facilitation Commission (CTFC) meeting, hosted at the offices of USCIB member, Baker McKenzie, in Brussels.

According to Giblin, participants discussed critical customs-related challenges in cross-border trade. Chair of the ICC Global CTFC (and former USCIB CTFC Vice Chair and active Committee member) John Bescec (Microsoft), World Customs Organization (WCO) Acting Director of Tariff and Trade Affairs Gael Grooby and ICC authorized delegates to WCO technical bodies (HSC and RSC, and Technical Committee on Customs Valuation) provided insights during the plenary session, including recent developments in customs and trade and highlighted updates on the Harmonized System Nomenclature (HS), valuation and origin.

During the afternoon plenary, ICC National Committee (NC) and respective NC company members, including many USCIB members, presented outcomes and next steps to the Commission on four important issues: the green economy, improving Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)/trusted trader programs, pathways for customs valuation in the e-commerce era and the impact of a complex and fast-changing environmental and labor regulatory landscape on business.

Following the ICC Commission meeting, Giblin and USCIB members met with the U.S. attaché to the EU and Belgium to discuss Committee priorities and regional interests.

L-R: Jeff Bensing (USCIB), John Bescec (Microsoft), Megan Giblin (USCIB), Martina Kavanagh (IBM & ICC)

Prior to these meetings in Brussels, USCIB held an in-person CTFC meeting on November 14, hosted by USCIB member Google in Chicago and chaired by USCIB CTFC Chair Michelle Welsh (Google). Meeting topics included Committee priorities for 2024, forced labor, WTO and WCO matters, such sd customs classification, customs valuation, humanitarian shipments/cargo, and Committee priorities for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

USCIB also hosted a Global Trade Networking Event in Minneapolis on November 15. USCIB members and colleagues had the opportunity discuss customs and trade topics with other experts in the field during an informal evening of conversation and networking.

Baird Discusses USCIB Priorities With Leaders of WTO and UNCTAD 

Published on December 1, 2023
L-R: Whitney Baird (USCIB), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (WTO), Angela Ellard (WTO) in Geneva

USCIB President and CEO Whitney Baird was in Geneva the week of November 27, meeting with the heads of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to press membership priorities.  

 

The focus of the meeting with WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Deputy Director General Angela Ellard was industry positions for the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13), with Baird underscoring concerns regarding the U.S. retreat from important digital safeguards in the JSI on E-Commerce negotiations, the imperative of a permanent renewal of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions and staunch opposition to a waiver extension under the WTO Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement. USCIB also relayed its history as a leading industry voice in support of the WTO, spearheading business coalition letters urging better U.S. leadership in negotiations.   

 

“USCIB will attend MC13 in February 2024 showcasing our deep commitment to the WTO and a global rules-based trading system,” said Baird. “With some 70 percent of world trade covered under WTO rules, USCIB is a steadfast and staunch advocate for the WTO and its critical role in keeping the global trading system open for business particularly during times of pandemic or geostrategic crisis.” 

 

Baird also expressed her gratitude to the DG for establishing the WTO Director General business advisory group to ensure industry voices are heard. “USCIB truly understands the importance and the power of institutionalized stakeholder engagement as the unique U.S. affiliate to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Business at OECD (BIAC) and the International Organization of Employers (IOE),” added Baird. 

 

Separately, Baird met with UNCTAD Secretary General Rebeca Grynspan to discuss mutual areas of interest regarding foreign direct investment (FDI) and issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). USCIB’s engagement with UNCTAD spans years of active participation at the World Investment Forum Meetings, the leading international meeting on investment matters. 

 

USCIB has been a longstanding, leading voice for the U.S. private sector on international investment policy issues in the multilateral system, promoting FDI and defending investor safeguards in investment agreements as a paramount priority.   

 

“USCIB advocates for inclusive practical multilateralism and welcomes opportunities to engage with UNCTAD in dialogue and through public-private partnerships to learn about the barriers to investments in developing countries,” said Baird.  

 

Baird added, “It is now more important than ever that international organizations like UNCTAD work with business to call for the necessary welcoming environment for FDI in quality projects that help put the SDGs back on track, power sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity. USCIB looks forward to a productive working relationship with the Secretary General and her colleagues at UNCTAD.” 

USCIB Highlights Critical Role of Business in Advancing Human Rights at UN Forum

Published on December 1, 2023
Participants: IOE corporate partners, USCIB delegation, and UN Deputy High Commissioner
Photo Credit: IOE

The annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights took place the week of November 27 in Geneva. As the world’s largest conference on business and human rights (BHR), it convened governments, business, civil society, experts and practitioners to discuss the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, share best practices and learn about BHR initiatives from all regions.

According to USCIB Director for Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs Ewa Staworzynska, this year’s discussions were marked by the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights, as well as the 12th year since the adoption of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). There was broad consensus that more progress was needed on human rights and many stakeholders called for a stronger role to be played by business. Emphasis was placed on leveraging the UNGPs in emerging topics such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and environmental protection.

IOE Business Caucus L-R: Ewa Staworzynska (USCIB & IOE), Renate Hornung-Draus (Confederation of German Employers (BDA) & IOE), Roberto Suarez Santos (IOE), Whitney Baird (USCIB), Jason Pegat-Toquet (IOE). Photo credit: IOE

The American business community actively engaged across the various discussions at the UN Forum and USCIB member companies, including Hewlett-Packard and Google, were featured in plenary sessions to share their valuable contributions to the human rights agenda. The commitment to progress on human rights was also underscored in the dialogue with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, during a Business Caucus organized by the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), as well as in a business meeting with the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Youssef A. Al Nashif.

USCIB and the U.S. Mission in Geneva co-organized a dialogue between USCIB member companies and the U.S. Government delegation to the UN Forum. The dialogue allowed for an open discussion among businesses and representatives from the U.S. Departments of State and Labor and USAID, on key topics such as the UN Legally Binding Instrument on Business and Human Rights, AI, due diligence trends and labor rights.

The USCIB delegation was led by President and CEO Whitney Baird and included Ewa Staworzynska, director for corporate responsibility and labor affairs and Jose Arroyo, policy manager.

“We are thrilled to lead the U.S. business engagement at the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights,” said Baird. “The presence and participation of U.S. companies highlights the private sector’s commitment to advancing human rights globally, and it is imperative that we do so in alignment with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.”

Business at OECD Releases Paper on Trade Priorities, Responding to 2023 OECD Trade Strategy 

Published on November 28, 2023

This week, Business at OECD (BIAC) released its flagship paper “Trading Better, Living Better” outlining trade priorities aimed at promoting robust and resilient trade, innovation, open markets, a level the playing field and inclusivity. The paper is developed to inform the future work program of the OECD Trade and Agriculture Directorate. 

 

The paper was launched on November 27 at a virtual event including OECD officials, government policymakers and other trade stakeholders. USCIB Vice President for International Investment and Trade Policy and BIAC Trade Committee Vice Chair Alice Slayton Clark presented key priorities from the digital section of the paper. These included permanent renewal of the World Trade Organization (WTO) moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, high standard outcomes from the JSI on e-commerce negotiations and OECD advancement of the benefits of cross-border data flows and negative effects of data localization measures. 

 

Importantly, the document also urges the OECD to support policy efforts towards strengthening intellectual property (IP) protections, which serve as a fuel for innovation. It urges research on the benefits of IP safeguards and negative trade effects of weak IP rights enforcement.

 

“The paper underscores several key recommendations for strengthening trade and business,” said Clark. “It calls on the international community to foster rules-based and resilient trade, strengthen the foundations of open markets, advance the digital economy, level the playing field for government support and secure public support for open markets.”

 

Read the full paper here.

Business at OECD Launches Responsible Business Conduct Committee, Co-Chaired by USCIB Member Laura Chapman-Rubbo (Disney)

Published on November 28, 2023
Laura Rubbo attends USCIB’s 2019 International Leadership Award Dinner
L-R: Peter Robinson (formerly USCIB), Laura Rubbo (The Walt Disney Company), Guy Ryder (formerly ILO), Terry McGraw (formerly USCIB & S&P Global)

Business at OECD (BIAC) launched the newly formed BIAC Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) Committee on November 8 in Paris. The rationale for establishing a dedicated RBC committee is rooted in the growing OECD RBC workstreams, which are expected to expand in the upcoming years. While the BIAC RBC Committee was previously housed under the same umbrella as the Investment Committee, close coordination between both committees will continue. In line with this, two previous vice-chairs of the Investment and RBC Committees now serve as the new co-chairs of the BIAC RBC committee: Laura Chapman-Rubbo from USCIB member The Walt Disney Company and Paul Noll from the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA).

USCIB was delighted to nominate Chapman-Rubbo as co-chair. She has extensive expertise in working with OECD matters, closely collaborating with BIAC on the review of upcoming OECD RBC guidance. As a leading voice in RBC topics, Chapman-Rubbo brings an American perspective, along with know-how from a worldwide transnational company to the table. USCIB members are committed to driving positive change while ensuring that American business interests remain represented at the OECD level.

“I am honored to co-chair this committee,” said Chapman-Rubbo. “We are building on decades of important work by BIAC, their member national business associations, and their member companies to advance responsible business conduct and the OECD’s Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.”

The first BIAC RBC committee meeting was held on November 8 and now the committee is focused on a 2024 work plan and outreach.

USCIB Member Cristian Rodriguez-Chiffelle (BCG) Approved as Vice Chair for Newly-Formed BIAC Investment Committee 

Published on November 16, 2023
Cristian Rodriguez-Chiffelle

Business at OECD’s (BIAC) Executive Board formally approved the nomination of USCIB member Cristian Rodriguez-Chiffelle (Boston Consulting Group) for Vice-Chair of the BIAC Investment Committee on November 7. 

 

Rodriguez-Chiffelle serves as senior advisor for Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) Global Advantage and Public Sector practices. He has consulted with governments, firms and international organizations across multiple regions. He has extensive expertise in fields such as sustainable FDI strategies for renewable energy, investment attraction and promotion and the negotiation and implementation of trade agreements. His extensive experience has primarily focused on Latin American trade, climate policy and investment. 

 

Rodriguez-Chiffelle’s previous experience participating in the investment-related operations of international organizations and the Chilean government will be of great value when conveying business priorities to governments and OECD representatives as part of his new position. 

 

The BIAC Investment Committee is a newly independent committee, having previously been part of the Investment and Responsible Business Conduct Committee. It is primarily focused on challenges that companies are facing with respect to the international investment climate and aims to highlight the importance of appropriate investor safeguards, market openness and a level-playing field in global trade and investment.