Category: Press Releases and Statements

NFTC Outlines Priorities for USMCA Review

Posted on by Joe Locher

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Senior Director for Trade and Innovation Brad Wood today outlined NFTC’s priorities for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) during USTR’s hearing on the first joint review.

“As the United States continues to pursue a reset in trading relationships globally, the bedrock of U.S. competitiveness remains a strong and united North American marketplace—one that supports affordable domestic manufacturing and enables American firms to compete and win in global markets,” said Brad Wood in his testimony. “This success depends on an integrated North American framework grounded in stability, and that stability can only be ensured if all three governments stand firmly behind the agreement and move to renew the USMCA.”

“Whether we call this a review or a renegotiation, our priority is clear,” Wood added. “We urge the parties to engage in earnest to make the progress necessary that will enable each government to agree at the Joint Review to extend the agreement.”

NFTC’s full testimony can be found here.

NFTC’s full submission and priorities, upon which this testimony is based, can be found here.

Brad’s bio is available 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.

Addressing Discriminatory Policies Should Be Top of Mind During USTR, Commerce EU Visit

Posted on by Joe Locher

WASHINGTON D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for Global Trade Policy Tiffany Smith today issued the following statement:

“A strong U.S.-EU bilateral relationship is crucial to the success of American businesses, and Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer’s trip to Europe next week comes at a pivotal moment. 

“Although the EU is one of our closest allies, we have been disappointed by the bloc’s continued commitment to its discriminatory digital sovereignty agenda and regulatory overreach of sustainability measures, including the Deforestation Regulation and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D).”

“This Administration has had tremendous success in addressing discriminatory policies elsewhere, and we hope that finding a resolution to these issues tops next week’s agenda.”

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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 Introduction of Canada’s DST Repeal Legislation

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 the introduction of legislation in Canada to repeal its digital services tax (DST).

“We welcome the news that Canada is taking the necessary steps to fulfill its commitment from earlier this year by formally introducing legislation to repeal its DST – a move that will hopefully bring both countries closer as they continue their engagements across a number of multilateral and bilateral forums, including the first USMCA review.

“The Trump Administration and Congress have made it clear that they will not tolerate discrimination against American companies. We encourage countries that currently have or are considering these unprincipled measures to follow Canada’s lead.”

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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 Senate Tariff Votes

Posted on by Joe Locher

Washington, D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council Vice President for Global Trade Policy Tiffany Smith released a statement following votes in the United States Senate to adopt resolutions to terminate tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA):

“As we look ahead to oral argument on the IEEPA tariff cases at the Supreme Court next week, it is encouraging to see the Senate express its support for ending the three underlying national emergencies. 

“Regardless of how the Supreme Court may ultimately rule on the legality of the IEEPA duties, Congress has an obligation to embrace its Constitutional right to regulate tariffs and provide oversight, guidance, and guardrails for their use. Until that happens, American consumers, farmers, and small businesses will continue to bear the costs and uncertainty from the current wide-ranging imposition of tariffs.”

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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 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.