Category: Press Releases and Statements

NFTC Statement on Rescission of WTO Funding

Posted on by Joe Locher

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for Global Trade Policy Tiffany Smith today issued a statement following the administration’s decision to cancel $29 million in U.S. funding for the World Trade Organization (WTO):

“We are disappointed that the administration has unilaterally decided to rescind funding for the WTO as well as other international organizations where the United States plays a leadership role. Despite its limitations, this organization provides an important forum to address irritants with our trading partners and to create and strengthen the rules in areas of critical importance to the U.S. business community, such as the recently-concluded Joint Statement Initiative Agreement on E-Commerce, advancements in trade facilitation, and the use and development of technical regulations.

“The United States benefits from taking an active leadership role in multilateral organizations. Pulling support from these organizations leaves a vacuum that other countries will be more than glad to fill. While we agree that reform is needed at the WTO, pulling back funding is not the way to create long-lasting change that supports U.S. competitiveness and our companies’ ability to operate globally.”

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About the NFTC

The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade, tax, national security and supply chain policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses, who account for over $6 trillion in revenue and employ nearly 6 million people in the United States.

NFTC Statement on Federal Appeals Court Decision on IEEPA Tariffs

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin today issued a statement following the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit regarding the administration’s use of IEEPA to impose tariffs:

“It’s positive to see the appeals court confirm the lower court ruling that the administration wrongfully invoked IEEPA to implement global tariffs. However, it is still unclear whether businesses will see any relief from this decision as the appeals process continues.

“If these tariffs are ultimately struck down, it ought to serve as a wake up call for Congress to reclaim its constitutional mandate to regulate duties and bring some long-term certainty for U.S. businesses and relief for consumers. While the court’s ruling ought to serve as an opportunity for the administration to pivot, given the president’s affinity for tariffs as a trade and foreign policy tool, it’s likely they will seek to leverage other authorities to continue to impose high duties, limiting any relief for businesses and consumers.”

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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade, tax, national security and supply chain policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses, who account for over $6 trillion in revenue and employ nearly 6 million people in the United States.

NFTC Urges Poland and Slovakia to Abandon DST Plans

Posted on by Joe Locher

Washington, D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for International Tax Policy Anne Gordon today issued a statement condemning Poland and Slovakia’s consideration of new digital services taxes (DSTs):

“The NFTC strongly opposes DSTs. It is troubling that additional EU countries, particularly Poland and Slovakia, are considering moving forward with new DST proposals that disproportionately target U.S. companies. We strongly urge them–and other countries who currently have or are considering DSTs–to abandon these plans.

“These DSTs, if implemented, would harm U.S. companies’ ability to do business in these countries and potentially undermine their economic ties with the United States.”

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About the NFTC

The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade, tax, national security and supply chain policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses, who account for over $6 trillion in revenue and employ nearly 6 million people in the United States.

Tariffs Are Driving Uncertainty and U.S. Businesses Need Clarity to Compete, NFTC Survey Finds

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

Washington, D.C. –  Amid growing concerns over new and continued tariff actions, a new survey conducted by the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) reveals that businesses across sectors are delaying growth, reducing operations, and reassessing investments due to the uncertainty created by U.S. trade policy. While intended to boost domestic manufacturing, current and proposed tariffs are having the opposite effect: creating bottlenecks, inflating costs, and eroding American competitiveness.

The NFTC’s recently conducted Supply Chain Survey captured insights from industry leaders across manufacturing, technology, food and beverage, and services sectors. Key findings include:

  • 94% of respondents report procurement of raw materials as the most affected supply chain segment.
  • Nearly 90% cite that tariffs have negatively impacted manufacturing and production.
  • More than 50% say they have delayed product launches or reduced offerings as a result of current and/or anticipated tariffs.
  • 75% report tariff-related uncertainty is constraining U.S. investment.
  • Nearly half say tariffs are affecting workforce-related decisions.

These effects are being felt across entire supply chains, from raw material sourcing to aftermarket services, and respondents overwhelmingly expressed concern over unpredictable announcements, lack of strategic clarity, and limited flexibility for essential imports.

“Volatility in trade policy, and tariffs in particular, are hurting rather than helping U.S. companies. U.S.-based firms create American jobs, supply our domestic economy, and foster international competitiveness by sourcing and selling in the global economy.  Injecting uncertainty into this process increases costs, thwarts innovation, and threatens to bring back shortages of the products we all use.” said John Pickel, Vice President for International Supply Chain Policy at NFTC. “Rather than incentivizing domestic production, the current tariff environment and broader trade policy uncertainty is paralyzing supply chain decision-making, forcing companies to delay or even cancel projects that support American jobs.”

“U.S. policymakers should adopt a more structured approach,” Pickel continued. “The Administration should articulate clear, phased objectives and define measurable outcomes for trading partners, exempt products not commercially available domestically, and establish ‘off ramps’ to reassess tariffs based on success metrics or unintended impacts, which will help enable American businesses’ success.” 

Read the full survey results here.

Read a blog post about these results here.

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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade, tax, national security and supply chain policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses, who account for over $6 trillion in revenue and employ nearly 6 million people in the United States.

Global De Minimis Suspension Underscores Need for Customs Modernization

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for International Supply Chain Policy John Pickel today issued a statement following the global suspension of de minimis:

“We are disappointed that the Administration extended the suspension of de minimis from China to the rest of the world. This change will undoubtedly raise prices for consumers and will disproportionately affect low-income Americans just in time for back to school and holiday shopping.

“We look forward to working with Congress and the Administration on customs modernization and supply chain initiatives that will ensure efficient border processing of a wide variety of items, including components, prototypes, and machine parts, that have often been overlooked in the de minimis debate but empower American companies to compete globally.”

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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade, tax, national security and supply chain policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses, who account for over $6 trillion in revenue and employ nearly 6 million people in the United States.

NFTC Statement on the Administration’s Tariff Actions

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s implementation of country-specific tariffs:

“This week’s trade deals and new tariff rates mark a significant inflection point for the Trump Administration’s trade policy. While it has been encouraging to see key U.S. trading partners to commit to remove some foreign trade barriers, a great deal of work remains to be done to make sure they deliver on those promises and to accelerate efforts to remove discriminatory measures that were not part of those initial understandings.  

“Whatever progress that’s ultimately achieved as part of these new trade deals will come at the steep price of significant U.S. tariff increases and the erosion of trust with America’s key partners. Institutionalizing the highest U.S. duties since the Great Depression, coupled with ongoing uncertainty, will ultimately make American businesses less competitive globally and consumers worse off while harming relationships with close geopolitical allies and trading partners. 

“We hope the Administration will continue working with our major trading partners to translate the initial deals they reached into durable results while looking for opportunities to reduce U.S. tariffs, eliminate key foreign trade barriers and restore predictability to trade.”

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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade, tax, national security and supply chain policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses, who account for over $6 trillion in revenue and employ nearly 6 million people in the United States.

NFTC Statement on EU Trade Deal

Posted on by Joe Locher

WASHIGTON, D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for Global Trade Policy Tiffany Smith released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s announcement of a trade deal with the European Union.

“Any deal that begins to stabilize the tariff situation and avoids retaliation between the United States and Europe is welcome progress. However, this initial framework leaves in place a number of troubling EU policies, including an extensive discriminatory digital agenda, extraterritorial supply chain regulations, and unfair pharmaceutical reimbursement policies.

“Imposing a high 15% tariff rate on one of our largest trading partners, particularly on strategic sectors like aircraft and pharmaceuticals where a tariff-free environment has enabled industries to thrive on both sides of the Atlantic, may provide short term gains but will leave us isolated from a major ally and erode trust long term.

“We hope the Administration will continue to press the EU to dismantle its remaining discriminatory and unfair barriers and that further tariff reductions are applied if meaningful commitments are made on these issues.”

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About the NFTC

The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade, tax, national security and supply chain policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses, who account for over $6 trillion in revenue and employ nearly 6 million people in the United States.

NFTC Statement on Extension of Tariff Pause

Posted on by Joe Locher

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council Vice President for Global Trade Policy Tiffany Smith released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s announcement extending the pause on country-specific tariffs through August 1.

“Extending the current pause on country-specific rates so that more deals can be reached is a welcome move, though it also prolongs uncertainty for American businesses. That uncertainty was further compounded today by President Trump’s suggestion of new 50% duties on copper and the potential for future tariffs on pharmaceuticals. High tariff rates, ongoing strategic uncertainty, and the tenuous nature of those deals that are negotiated continue to paralyze business decision-making while eroding trust with our allies and major trading partners.”

“We hope U.S. negotiators and America’s major trading partners will take this opportunity to reach durable deals and together restore predictability to trade.”

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About the NFTC

The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade, tax, national security and supply chain policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses, who account for over $6 trillion in revenue and employ nearly 6 million people in the United States.

NFTC, Leading Industry Associations Urge Administration to Address Discriminatory Digital Policies in Europe

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today joined leading industry associations in urging President Trump and his administration to address discriminatory digital policies as part of ongoing trade negotiations.

In a letter signed by 9 associations and sent to President Trump on July 3, the group welcomed reports that the administration is seeking commitment in several areas, such as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) but warned that “[a]ny deal that does not explicitly address these issues would provide tacit approval to the EU and other governments that they are free to continue targeting U.S. innovators with discriminatory regulations, taxes, and fines.”

“The Trump Administration has repeatedly expressed its commitment to ensuring U.S. companies are not disadvantaged abroad”, said Tiffany Smith, NFTC Vice President for Global Trade Policy. “We saw this commitment play out in the DST negotiation with Canada and we hope the Administration follows a similar path in its talks with the European Union where there are several regulations and taxes, not just in the digital space, that are discriminatory and unreasonably burdensome for U.S. companies.”

Read the full letter here.

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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade, tax, national security and supply chain policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses, who account for over $6 trillion in revenue and employ nearly 6 million people in the United States.

NFTC Welcomes Final Passage of Reconciliation Bill

Posted on by Joe Locher

WASHINGTON , D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for International Tax Policy Anne Gordon today issued a statement following final passage of the reconciliation bill:

“We are thrilled that the business and international tax provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill will soon be a reality. We’d like to thank Speaker Johnson, the House leadership team and Chairman Smith for their efforts to ensure swift passage, and to President Trump and his team for their dedication to getting this bill to the finish line.

“The tax provisions in this bill establish long-term tax certainty that will allow our companies to be more productive, create more jobs, and make larger investments at home, and to be more competitive when doing business abroad.”

“We look forward to working with the administration to ensure effective implementation of the bill and to continue advocating for policies that achieve a pro-growth, globally-competitive tax system.”

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About the NFTC

The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade, tax, national security and supply chain policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses, who account for over $6 trillion in revenue and employ nearly 6 million people in the United States.