Category: Press Releases and Statements

Hua Wang to Lead the NFTC Foundation’s Global Innovation Forum

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

Washington D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin today announced that Hua Wang will serve as the new Executive Director of the Global Innovation Forum (GIF).

As GIF’s Executive Director, Hua engages an international network of small, minority and women-led businesses, nonprofit leaders and government officials to improve the trade and digital policy landscapes.

Ms. Wang previously led a technology accelerator in Alabama and founded SmartBridge Health, a cancer telemedicine startup, through which she served as an entrepreneur-in-residence at Startup Chile, the Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre and the Halcyon Incubator. She has also previously worked at Proskauer, K&L Gates, Cisco Systems and the Kauffman Foundation.

“Hua’s experience as a founder and with the startup ecosystem gives her unique insight into the role of global markets and public policy in the success of small and early stage businesses,” said Colvin. “She is extraordinarily well-suited to grow GIF’s impact and ensure that trade and digital policies create more inclusive access to the global marketplace.”

Launched in 2009, GIF is a project of the 501(c)(3) NFTC Foundation that connects small businesses and startups with policymakers through thought leadership and forums to explore the role of technology and trade policies and programs in fostering resilience and inclusive growth.

Her full bio can be found below.

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Hua C. Wang
Executive Director, Global Innovation Forum

Hua C. Wang is Executive Director for Global Innovation Forum (GIF) at the National Foreign Trade Council Foundation. NFTC Foundation’s mission is to inspire, promote, encourage and facilitate international trade and investment in order to enhance economic growth and job creation throughout the world.

As GIF’s Executive Director, Hua engages an international network of small, minority and women-led businesses, nonprofit leaders and government officials to improve the trade and digital policy landscapes. She oversees the development and execution of GIF’s strategy to facilitate more inclusive access to the global marketplace. She amplifies the voice of innovators and entrepreneurs in public policy discussions domestically and with international organizations including the World Trade Organization and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum.

Hua previously led a top technology accelerator in Alabama with the 15 startups collectively raising $20 million in funding and generating $11 million in revenue. She also founded SmartBridge Health, a cancer telemedicine startup, during which time she served an entrepreneur in residence at Start-Up Chile, the Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre and the Washington, DC-based Halcyon Incubator.

Prior to entrepreneurship, Hua worked as a private equity attorney at Proskauer and K&L Gates, in-house counsel at Cisco Systems and a global scholar at the Kauffman Foundation.

After graduating from Duke University, Hua worked as an investment banking analyst at Lehman Brothers and a healthcare strategy consultant at Accenture. She is also a graduate of Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law.

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Government Report Confirms U.S. Business Bears the Cost of Tariffs

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

WASHINGTON D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for Global Trade Policy Tiffany Smith issued the following statement after the USITC today released its report on the effects of Section 232 and 301 tariffs:

“The U.S. Government today confirmed what the business community has been screaming from the rooftops for years – it is U.S. businesses, and ultimately U.S. consumers – who have borne the full cost of 232 and 301 tariffs.

“The report specifically mentions that import prices increased toe-to-toe with tariffs – an increase in prices of about 1 percent for each 1 percent increase in tariffs. At a time when American families and businesses are struggling to keep up with inflation, it is time for the Biden Administration to lift these tariffs and bring about some relief when it is most desperately needed.”

The NFTC submitted comments as part of the Tariff Reform Coalition for this investigation last year. You can find them here.

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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax 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.

NFTC Foundation to Honor Senators Coons, Young and OECD’s Perez-Navarro

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

Washington D.C. – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Foundation announced today that it will honor Senators Chris Coons and Todd Young, and Ms. Grace Perez-Navarro at its annual World Trade Dinner and Awards Ceremony on March 22.

This year’s World Trade Award honoree is Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) who serves on several committees crucial to U.S. trade policy, including Appropriations, Foreign Relations and Small Business & Entrepreneurship. The award recognizes his career-long support of free, rules-based trade.

“We look forward to recognizing Senator Coons’ leadership in support of an ambitious trade agenda that helps American business and workers succeed in the global economy,” said NFTC President Jake Colvin. “From his push to write new rules in the Indo-Pacific to his support of global trade secrets to his legislation to kick-start negotiations with the United Kingdom, he is helping shape the future of commercially-meaningful trade policies.”

The NFTC Foundation will honor Senator Todd Young (R-IN) with the Trade Leadership for the Digital Age Award, for his work on a range of proposals to enhance digital trade.

“Senator Young has been a strong advocate for the importance of U.S. leadership on digital trade policy,” said Tiffany Smith, NFTC Vice President for Global Trade Policy. “We appreciate Senator Young’s efforts to put digital trade at the forefront of U.S. trade policy and call for the U.S. to negotiate strong, enforceable agreements with our partners around the world.”

This year’s International Tax Award honoree is Ms. Grace Perez-Navarro, Director of the OECD’s Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, who is retiring from her role after a long career at the organization.

“Grace has enjoyed a remarkable career in international tax defined by her vast technical expertise. Over her long career in this space – which began at the IRS – she has shown exemplary leadership, especially in her work on OECD efforts to create certainty for both businesses and countries in the global tax system,” said Anne Gordon, NFTC Vice President for International Tax Policy. “As she nears her retirement, we are happy that Grace will be able to join us to highlight the importance of continued support for this process.”

The NFTC Foundation’s World Trade Dinner is a valued tradition in Washington D.C. Past speakers and honorees have included Members of Congress and cabinet officials, CEO’s, thought leaders, and heads of state.

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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax 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.

U.S. Businesses Urge Administration to Address Discriminatory Practices in Europe

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

In letter, business associations urge Biden Administration to address the EU’s discriminatory digital regulatory agenda as part of conversations over the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

WASHINGTON D.C. – A leading group of business associations representing every sector of the economy yesterday urged the Biden Administration to stand up for U.S. workers and businesses threatened by the EU’s discriminatory policies with the same resolve that European officials have shown on the IRA.

“A level transatlantic playing field is critical but that has to go both ways. The EU has openly targeted U.S. companies with a discriminatory digital sovereignty agenda designed to undermine America’s role in the global trading system,” said NFTC President Jake Colvin. “The White House is going to accommodate EU concerns, it needs to step up and underscore the need for American companies to be regulated in the same manner as their European counterparts when operating on the other side of the Atlantic.”

The letter reads in part: “The EU’s digital agenda, and the specific measures that will carry it forward — both recently concluded and actively under debate — will damage U.S. jobs and growth, erode our long-term competitiveness, and undermine transatlantic national security cooperation. A recent CSIS analysis estimates that EU digital regulation could amount to more than $13 billion in annual U.S. export losses and a 2% decrease in U.S. global services exports. We are troubled that the pillars of their agenda target American companies and workers and restrict U.S. companies’ ability to participate in the European market.”

The letter, which was addressed to Jake Sullivan and Lael Brainard, was signed by the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC), United States Chamber of Commerce, ACT | The App Association, Chamber of Progress, Coalition of Services Industries (CSI), Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), Consumer Technology Association (CTA), Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), and Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA).

The letter can be found here.

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FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER

Mr. Jacob J. Sullivan
Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dr. Lael Brainard
Assistant to the President for Economic Policy
and Director, National Economic Council
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. Sullivan and Dr. Brainard:

Prior to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s arrival in Washington this week, the undersigned trade associations urge the Biden administration to address the EU’s discriminatory digital regulatory agenda with the same tenacity that European officials have deployed in raising their concerns with elements of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

The EU’s digital agenda, and the specific measures that will carry it forward — both recently concluded and actively under debate — will damage U.S. jobs and growth, erode our long-term competitiveness, and undermine transatlantic national security cooperation. A recent CSIS analysis estimates that EU digital regulation could amount to more than $13 billion in annual U.S. export losses and a 2% decrease in U.S. global services exports.

We are troubled that the pillars of their agenda target American companies and workers and restrict U.S. companies’ ability to participate in the European market. We are aware that numerous EU officials have raised concerns with their counterparts in Washington regarding the IRA’s incentives. While we support the objective of resolving trade irritants before they become entrenched disputes, the Administration would be remiss if it did not at the same time seek EU commitments to address U.S. concerns with the discriminatory aspects of the EU’s push to achieve “Digital Sovereignty.”

Last December, the U.S.-EU Joint Statement of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) noted that the United States and EU must recognize one another as trustworthy and reliable trade, technology, investment, and security partners. The European Commission’s discriminatory regulatory agenda runs contrary to our shared goals to reduce unnecessary barriers to trade and investment.

We urge the Biden administration to stand up for U.S. workers and businesses threatened by the EU’s discriminatory policies with the same resolve that European officials have shown on the IRA. Measures that undercut American companies’ ability to compete in Europe should be opposed. Now is the time to press the EU to commit to fair implementation and enforcement of existing measures, including the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Service Act, and to insist that they refrain from adopting additional discriminatory measures, including provisions in the EU Cloud Services Scheme, AI Act and Data Act. Doing so will strengthen the U.S.-EU partnership as we work together to promote shared values, take on challenges in third countries, and create new opportunities for both U.S. and EU companies and workers.

Sincerely,

ACT | The App Association
Chamber of Progress
Coalition of Services Industries (CSI)
Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA)
Consumer Technology Association (CTA)
Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)
National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC)
Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA)
United States Chamber of Commerce

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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax 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.

NFTC: Business Needs Ambitious Trade Policy Agenda to Succeed

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

WASHINGTON DC – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin today issued the following statement following the release of USTR’s 2023 Trade Policy Agenda:

“The NFTC’s message over its more than 100 year existence has always been the same: The U.S. Government has a tremendously important role in crafting an ambitious trade policy agenda that unlocks opportunities for American businesses and workers.

“The President’s 2023 Trade Policy Agenda includes a number of ambitious goals, including creating more resilient supply chains, a return to U.S. leadership in international institutions, enforcement of existing agreements and driving sustainable and inclusive economic prosperity for all, which are shared by the American business community.

“We appreciate the Administration’s efforts to engage the Indo-Pacific region, Europe and the Americas through different frameworks and look forward to working with them to ensure these processes lead to commercially-meaningful agreements that benefit American businesses, workers, farmers and ranchers.

“At a time when the world is still recovering from a historic shock, the agenda feels incomplete without more emphasis on enhancing market access abroad and strengthening relationships through trade agreements. If we want to out-compete China and do right by the more than 40 million workers whose jobs depend on trade, the U.S. Government needs to keep its foot on the accelerator.”

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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax 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

NFTC: New Windsor Framework Should Clear Path to U.S.-UK Trade Agreement

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

WASHINGTON DC -In response to the announcement that the United Kingdom and European Union had struck a deal to change the Northern Ireland Protocol via a new Windsor Framework, National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin released the following statement:

“The friction over trade with Northern Ireland has been a stumbling block to a U.S-UK Free Trade Agreement. If the Windsor Framework can break the impasse over trade with Northern Ireland, the Biden Administration ought to move quickly to discuss a comprehensive trade deal with the UK, which would enjoy significant bipartisan support in Congress. Resolving this deadlock would unlock a real opportunity for the Biden Administration to demonstrate its commitment to advancing opportunities for America’s workers, businesses and farmers and creating stronger economic ties with a crucial ally.”

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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax 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.

At Hearing, NFTC Urges Congress to Work with Private Sector to Modernize Supply Chains

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

WASHINGTON D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Senior Director for International Supply Chain Policy John Pickel today testified at a Senate Finance Committee Hearing on trade laws and supply chains.

During the hearing, John highlighted the importance of joint collaboration between the private sector and government to promote efficient, stable and compliant supply chains. His testimony included private sector recommendations to improve cooperation and ensure continued innovation in the following areas:

  • Customs modernization;
  • Trade facilitation;
  • Partnership programs; and
  • Forced labor.

“The business community is the government’s best ally in ensuring that our supply chains are safe and resilient, that we are better prepared to face future global shocks, and that customs policies facilitate the success of American companies,” said Pickel. “A recent report found that reducing administrative burdens could save the U.S. $88 billion and could create just under 1 million jobs nationwide. That is where we need to focus.”

The hearing, titled ‘Ending Trade that Cheats American Workers By Modernizing Trade Laws and Enforcement, Fighting Forced Labor, Eliminating Counterfeits, and Leveling the Playing Field,’ also included testimony from Cindy Allen, Vice President For Regulatory Affairs And Compliance, FedEx Logistics; Andy Meserve, Local Union President 9423, United Steelworkers; Scott Nova,Executive Director, Worker Rights Consortium; and Brenda Smith, Global Director, Government Outreach, Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

A full copy of the statement can be found here. A live stream and recording of the hearing is available here.

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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax 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.

Jeannette Chu Joins NFTC to Launch New Effort on National Security Policy and Global Competitiveness

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

Washington D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin today announced that Jeannette Chu has joined the NFTC as Vice President for National Security Policy.

Ms. Chu will head a new effort under the NFTC on national security and global competitiveness, serving as NFTC’s lead strategist, expert and advocate on policies surrounding export controls, sanctions, investment screening, critical infrastructure and ICT supply chains.

Most recently, Ms. Chu was Senior Managing Director and head of the Export Controls and Trade Sanctions team at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). She has also served as Senior Policy Advisor at the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the U.S. Department of Commerce and as the Senior Export Control Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing among other roles.

“As national security considerations increasingly influence the trade policy landscape, Jeannette is uniquely positioned to develop and lead a forward-looking strategy for business community engagement in the United States and abroad on key export controls and sanctions policies,” said Colvin.

“She will be an invaluable resource for NFTC and our member companies as we promote best practices and engage governments to inform the conduct of national security-related trade policies and controls,” he added.

Jeannette’s full bio can be found below.

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Jeannette L. Chu
Vice President, National Security Policy

Jeannette L. Chu is Vice President for National Security Policy at the National Foreign Trade Council, the leading business association dedicated to advancing the interests of U.S. companies in international commerce.

In this role, she leads efforts to advance the interests of U.S. business in safeguarding U.S. national security and promoting global security through export controls, sanctions regimes and policy initiatives.

A recognized subject matter expert and thought leader on export controls and trade sanctions, Jeannette joins NFTC from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where she served as a Senior Managing Director advising U.S. and multinational companies and co-leading the national security regulatory compliance practice. She will continue to hold a concurrent role as a non-resident senior associate with the Trustee Chair for Chinese Business and Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Affairs (CSIS).

She previously served as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), U.S. Department of Commerce where she worked on export control reform, export licensing and foreign policy matters. She also served at the American Embassy in Beijing and the U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou in several capacities including as the Senior Export Control Attaché for nearly six years, conducting end-use visits to more than 250 locations across China and negotiating a landmark export control cooperation agreement with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. She was the first Officer-In-Charge of the Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) in China.

Jeannette received her B.A. in Political Science from American University in Washington, D.C. and is a 2020 graduate of Women in Technology’s Leadership Foundry program on preparing women for corporate board service. She serves on the Executive Board of Ascend Greater Washington and volunteers as a mentor for Ascend’s Corporate Executive Leadership Program, the Women’s Foreign Policy Group and Women in Technology.

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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax 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.

NFTC Statement on the Appointment of Manal Corwin as OECD Tax Director

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

WASHINGTON D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council NFTC Vice President for International Tax Policy Anne Gordon released the following statement following the appointment of Manal Corwin as Director of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Centre for Tax Policy and Administration:

“NFTC congratulates Manal Corwin on her appointment as Director of the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration. Her extensive public and private sector experience will serve the OECD well at a critical time for global tax policy. We look forward to working with Manal to advance a durable global tax framework that addresses the concerns of Congress and the U.S. business community while creating certainty for both companies and tax administrations.“

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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax 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.

John Pickel Joins NFTC as Senior Director for International Supply Chain Policy

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

WASHINGTON DC – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin today announced that John Pickel has joined the NFTC as Senior Director for International Supply Chain Policy.

Mr. Pickel joins the NFTC from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) where he served as the Principal Director of Trade and Economic Competitiveness in the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans.

Prior to joining DHS, he served in various roles at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), where he advised CBP executives on trade policy issues and led engagement with senior administration officials, Congress, and others in the trade community to inform the development and implementation of trade priorities.

“John brings a remarkable wealth of expertise and experience in a range of supply chain, trade facilitation and customs issues that are critically important to our member companies,” said Colvin.

“We are thrilled that John is joining our team to kick off the new year, and look forward to his leadership in helping our member companies continue to navigate the supply chain crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the changing international landscape,” he added.

John’s full bio can be found below.

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John F. Pickel Jr.
Senior Director, International Supply Chain Policy

John Pickel is Senior Director of International Supply Chain Policy at the National Foreign Trade Council, the leading business association dedicated solely to advancing the interests of U.S. companies in international commerce.

In this role, John sets strategic direction and executes efforts to promote efficient, resilient and stable supply chains. This includes advancing policies related to anticounterfeiting, product safety, environmental sustainability, human and labor rights, and preventing illicit trade. He also promotes the implementation of trade facilitation measures and customs best practices across government agencies and international organizations to increase predictability and enable compliance with U.S. trade laws.

John previously served as the Principal Director of Trade and Economic Competitiveness in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (Policy), where he was a primary trade and supply chain policy advisor to agency leadership, served as the DHS representative to various interagency groups and processes, and led implementation of trade-related initiatives across DHS components.

Prior to joining DHS Policy, John served in various roles at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) over a decade. More recently, he was the Counsellor to the Commissioner for trade facilitation and enforcement matters. In addition to advising CBP executives on trade policy issues, John led engagement with senior administration officials, the trade community, and others to inform the development and implementation of CBP trade priorities. Earlier, John coordinated CBP Congressional Affairs efforts related to trade policy. In this role, he worked closely with Members of Congress and senior staff to shape legislation including the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (TFTEA) and Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act.

John has represented companies, nonprofit organizations, and cities before Congress and federal agencies at a government relations firm and worked in a leadership office in the U.S. House of Representatives.

John is a graduate of The George Washington University (B.A., Political Science).

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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax 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.