Trade and Investment Archives

Baird and Wanner Focus on Trade and Tech at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 

Published on January 17, 2024

USCIB President and CEO Whitney Baird and VP for ICT Policy Barbara Wanner attended the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas earlier this month. Dubbed the “most powerful tech event in the world,” CES brought together over 130,000 participants, including many USCIB members and representatives of governments from across the globe.  

Whitney Baird (USCIB) and Tanneasha Gordon (Deloitte)

Baird and Wanner had a packed schedule in Las Vegas meeting members and USG officials, including Tanneasha Gordon (Deloitte), Nadia Hansen (Salesforce), Dr. Oliver Campbell (Dell), JoAnn Stonier (Mastercard), Erica McCann (Amazon) and Dr. Vanessa Chan (Department of Energy). They also attended panels and events on AI and the impact on jobs, emerging technologies shaping the tech workforce, privacy and cybersecurity, and sustainability and circularity in tech.  

During a panel on “Trade in Tech. What is it good for? Absolutely Everything!” Baird joined Ambassador Mark Lippert (Samsung), Ambassador Susan Schwab (NFTC) and Dr. Rafaelita Aldaba (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) to discuss how trade policy promote peace and innovation globally.  

“Trade has long demonstrated its benefit in lifting nations out of poverty, promoting shared prosperity, fostering economic interdependence and trust, and providing an incentive for peaceful resolution of disputes,” said Baird. “Technology has a similar unifying effect, through the devices, gadgets and transmissions that inform people and connect cultures and countries around the globe. Trade in technology, therefore, carries a double dividend on peace.” 

Baird also discussed USCIB’s affiliation with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), made possible through Business at OECD (BIAC). She noted USCIB regularly contributes U.S. industry practices and priorities to inform OECD research and policy guidelines. Through its own standing and through our affiliates, USCIB advocates strongly for WTO rules that promote connectivity, the free flow of data with trust across borders, and a permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions. USCIB has also pressed for negotiation of two World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreements to eliminate all import duties on a wide range of technology products including computers, telecommunications equipment, software and educational devices.   

The “Trade in Tech” session was moderated by Ed Brzytwa (International Trade Consumer Technology Association).  

“This was the first time USCIB attended CES in an official capacity,” said Wanner. “We were delighted by the many opportunities we had for enhanced engagement with U.S. government officials and our own members on topics of significant relevance to our trade and digital policy work. We look forward to more CES events in the future.” 

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 and IOE Host “Getting Business on Board for the 2024 UN Summit of the Future” 

Published on December 12, 2023

USCIB and the International Organization of Employers (IOE) co-hosted a webinar, “Getting Business on Board for the 2024 UN Summit of the Future,” on December 4. The webinar spotlighted expectations for the 2024 UN Summit for the Future (SOTF) and discussed ways in which the private sector could participate and impact the preparations and outcomes. 

The event was headlined by Ambassador Paula Narváez, president of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) and permanent representative of Chile to the UN. Participants also heard from USCIB Senior Vice President for Policy and Global Strategy Norine Kennedy, who presented USCIB’s two Moving the Needle reports that were published during the UN General Assembly in September. 

A panel on “What to expect and how to come prepared for the Summit of the Future” discussed private sector priorities in the coming year of deliberations. The panel also highlighted the growing role that small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) play – and will continue to play – in the economy and global trade. 

“Unless we address the issues of good governance, accountability and oversight, we’re going to find it difficult to mobilize private and public funding to finance SMEs, which are the backbone of so many economies,” stated Shea Gopaul, permanent representative to the UN in New York for the IOE. 

Other speakers included: 

  • Michael Pan, program management officer, ‘Our Common Agenda’, Executive Office of the Secretary General   
  • Angus Rennie, partnerships manager, United Nations Global Compact   
  • Ilze Melngailis, senior director, Business Council for the UN and Private Sector Engagement at the UN Foundation  
  • Patricia Veringa-Gieskes, president, Federation of Employers of Congo (FEC) 

This webinar was the first in a series that will continue to engage with UN representatives and key government delegations to inform the formation of the SOTF and its outcomes. 

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.” 

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.

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. 

USCIB Co-Signs Letter Condemning Administration Decision to Withdraw Support for Cross-Border Data Flow Proposals at WTO

Published on November 13, 2023

USCIB signed a multi-industry association letter decrying the Biden Administration’s decision to end its support for proposals on data flows, data localization and source code, as part of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Joint Initiative on E-commerce (JSI) negotiations. The letter expresses USCIB’s deep dismay regarding a reversal on these core disciplines and U.S. leadership on digital economy priorities.

The letter, co-signed with associations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers and Recording Industry Association of America, expresses concern that this decision undermines the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) longstanding commitment to protecting cross-border data flows, which facilitate core values and goals, such as the spread of information, freedom of expression and ability to solve complex global challenges. The letter criticizes USTR for signaling an end to the Administration’s fight against discrimination affecting American companies and their workers, as well as legitimizing digital protectionism across the globe, which strengthens adversaries and hurts American businesses.

The letter encourages USTR to reverse this harmful decision and return the U.S. to its role of global leader in a rules-based trading system that benefits American companies, aligns with the U.S.’s core values and empowers the government to push back against regulatory overreach by authoritarian regimes.

USCIB President and CEO Whitney Baird also spoke with leadership at USTR to express concerns about the implications of this policy reversal at IPEF and the WTO JSI for e-commerce negotiations. Baird refuted the narrative that the digital negotiations only benefit the ICT industry, stressing they also serve the much larger universe of manufacturers, retailers, financial services and logistics and professional services firms that rely on these services and technologies. USCIB made clear that a U.S. vacuum on the global stage leaves space for states like India to step in and advance digital protectionism.

USCIB also is raising concerns at the OECD through our voice in Business at OECD (BIAC) to ensure continued support for strong disciplines that promote barrier-free data flows and legitimate access to digital products and services. USCIB will continue to strategize on next steps regarding getting the U.S. position back on track on digital issues at the WTO, IPEF and beyond.