Policy Priorities

The year ahead brings mounting geostrategic and economic risks that include armed conflict, climate change, food insecurity, economic polarization, financial strain, and cyberwarfare. These risks will challenge global institutions, test the world trading system, and disrupt supply chains. Governments and stakeholders have met emerging technologies like artificial intelligence with skepticism and overregulation. Trust in business has eroded despite progress on responsible business practices, sustainability initiatives, and public-private partnerships. More is asked of companies with respect to human rights and due diligence requirements and the role of business in global decision-making is being questioned. Finally, almost half the world’s population will vote in consequential elections, political change that creates uncertainty for U.S. companies navigating global markets.

USCIB will engage strategically to advance industry positions in favor of a clean and just economy, open markets, sustainable development, and a level playing field. One of our primary means of influence is through our global affiliates, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Business at OECD, and the International Organization of Employers (IOE). As the United Nations prepares for summits in 2024 and 2025 to set a new course for international cooperation, USCIB will utilize its delegate status to shape global policy impacting U.S. business.

We will press for a return to U.S. economic leadership, support for free flow of data with trust, protection for innovative industries, and resistance to discriminatory measures and regulatory overreach. We are leading the development of standards for emerging technologies and addressing the employment impacts and opportunities linked to the future of work. We are championing private sector solutions to trans-boundary environment, energy, and climate challenges. We are ensuring that the voice of business is heard since private sector insights and partnerships are indispensable to sustainable outcomes and shared benefits at home and abroad.

USCIB will pursue the following international policy priority areas on behalf of its members in 2024:

Trade & Investment

Champion lower trade and investment barriers; promote a stable, rules-based trading system; confront unfair and discriminatory trade and investment practices; counter economic coercion; promote free flow of data and innovation: oppose backsliding on digital policy and intellectual property safeguards; ensure a level playing field where U.S. companies and workers can compete.

Customs & Trade Facilitation

Empower efficient commerce while advancing compliance and security; leverage expertise at the World Customs Organization and on WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement implementation; advance customs modernization, compliance, and enforcement; combat illicit trade; promote a practical discipline of green trade and customs.

Competition

Promote sound competition enforcement and procedures; confront antitrust overreach and overregulation; advance industry interests on the implementation of the Biden Administration’s competition agenda; explore the application of cross-cutting issues such as sustainability.

Digital Policy

Embrace the emergence of digital technologies while connecting the world responsibly and safely;  advocate for policies and regulations based on open and inclusive Internet governance, protection of privacy, and cybersecurity, enabling innovation, and enhancing access to digital communications and the Internet; address the policy opportunities and challenges presented by AI innovation, promoting the OECD Principles and informing the development of the UN Digital Compact.

Environment

Advance innovative and market-oriented positions relating to policies and/or treaties impacting climate change, carbon pricing, biodiversity, protection of nature, energy, and sustainability; shape policies and approaches on defining the scope of the human right to environment and on developing a global instrument governing the life cycle of plastics pollution.

Corporate Responsibility & Labor

Advance employer interests concerning job creation, the future of work, platform economy, just transition, occupational safety and health, and skilling and reskilling; ensure practicable solutions in discussions and negotiations concerning business and human rights, responsible business conduct, due diligence, anti-corruption, corporate reporting, and corporate governance.

Sustainable Development & the UN Summit of the Future

Join preparations for the UN Summit of the Future and provide business recommendations for priority issues to accelerate the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and crowd in business innovation, partnership, and action.

International Taxation

Advance practical implementation of the OECD global tax reform proposal through formal and informal consultation and targeted initiatives to key stakeholder government authorities and the U.S. Treasury and Congress; monitor and provide input on terms of reference for a new UN tax convention.

Cross-Cutting Issues

Deliver technical advice and practical solutions to impact decisions in an array of multi-issue and multi-forum topics, such as:

  • Trade and labor, including forced labor policies, compliance and enforcement (China and Xinjiang, critical minerals, and environment);
  • Trade and environment, through WTO, the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council, while confronting counter-productive unilateral measures, such as EU CBAM;
  • UN Summit of the Future and Pact for the Future, UN Global Digital Compact;
  • Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) goals, including EU Due Diligence and other emerging rules and definitions;
  • OECD MNE Guidelines elaboration and implementation;
  • OECD Accession Process, leveraging business priorities with candidates Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Peru, and Romania; and
  • APEC and G20/B20 in 2024 across chemicals, digital transformation, trade, labor, global value chains, and customs matters.

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