Category: Press Releases and Statements

NFTC Statement on Tariff Pause

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

WASHINGTON DC – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin released the following statement in response to the announcement that some tariffs have been paused by the Administration:

“The pause is a step in the right direction but let’s not celebrate the fact that it appears to leave in place a new baseline of 10% tariffs on most countries, plus significant levies on China, steel and aluminum and autos with the promise of more duties to come.

“While this temporary pause may lessen the immediate pain, it doesn’t diminish the uncertainty that is paralyzing companies’ trade, sourcing, and investment calculations as well as Americans’ ability to budget for their families and their future.

“We encourage the Administration to continue to deescalate and identify durable paths forward to eliminate these duties, rebuild trust and minimize future uncertainty with our international economic partners.”

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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.

Tariffs Jeopardize the Competitiveness of U.S. Businesses and the Pocketbooks of All Americans

Posted on by Joe Locher

WASHINGTON DC – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin today issued a statement following the announcement by the President of new reciprocal tariffs:

“We share the President’s desire to grow U.S. production of manufactured goods, agriculture products, services, and knowledge, but dramatically increasing America’s tariffs will undercut that objective.

“Without oversight from Congress, the President intends to raise tariffs to the highest levels since the Great Depression, which jeopardizes the competitiveness of U.S. businesses and the pocketbooks of all Americans.

“While the price of imported goods will undoubtedly rise, the President’s tariffs will also tack on added costs to American manufacturing, assembly and farming. There is simply no way to mitigate all of the added costs of inputs to finished goods from the Administration’s complex and growing web of tariffs. Consumers should expect to see higher prices for everything from groceries to home renovations to auto insurance as construction and repair costs rise. 

“The America First Trade Policy rightly recognizes the harmful impact that discriminatory measures can have in preventing U.S. companies from accessing foreign markets, but tariffs should be a scalpel to remedy specific unfair practices, not a sledgehammer that disregards our trade commitments, invites retaliation and undermines the competitiveness of U.S. businesses and the finances of the American people. 

“The Administration, Congress and America’s key trading partners and allies quickly need to identify paths forward to de-escalate and seek a durable new normal that lowers barriers, rebuilds trust and minimizes uncertainty.

“We look forward to partnering with the Administration and Congress to think creatively about pathways to foster trust with our trading partners and achieve our shared goals of lowering trade barriers and enhancing the competitiveness of American businesses and workers.”

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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 Welcomes India’s Removal of Discriminatory Digital Ads Tax

Posted on by Joe Locher

WASHINGTON, DC – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for International Tax Policy Anne Gordon issued a statement in response to India’s decision to repeal its digital services equalization levy following Parliament’s passage of the Finance Bill, 2025 earlier today:

“We welcome India’s decision to remove its tax on digital advertisements which had been in place since 2016. We appreciate the Indian government’s willingness to change course on this policy and to continue working together with the United States to strengthen our economic relationship and our companies’ ability to compete in their domestic market. 

“We commend the Trump Administration for its continued focus on the success of American companies and addressing clearly discriminatory foreign treatment. We urge other countries to follow India’s example and work with the administration to roll back tax policies that unfairly target U.S. companies or limit their ability to compete internationally.”

Background:

In the Finance Bill, 2016, chapter VII, sections 163 to 180, India implemented a 6% “equalization levy” (a type of a digital services tax) effective June 1, 2016. This equalization levy was a gross basis tax imposed on online advertisement services of non-resident entities, which primarily impacted U.S.-based companies. The Finance Bill, 2020 implemented a second equalization levy of 2% on the services of non-resident e-commerce operators effective on April 1, 2020. As part of the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2024, the 2% levy was removed in August 2024. The 6% levy on online advertisement services remained in place until it was revoked by the Indian Parliament earlier today.

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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 Grassley, Crapo and Representatives Obernolte, Lieu

Posted on by Joe Locher

Washington, D.C. – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Foundation announced today that it will honor Senators Chuck Grassley and Mike Crapo as well as Representatives Jay Obernolte and Ted Lieu at its annual World Trade Dinner and Awards Ceremony on April 2.

This year’s World Trade Award honoree is Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) who serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

“Senator Crapo has a longstanding commitment to trade policies that support the global competitiveness of American businesses of all sizes,” said Jake Colvin, President of the NFTC. “Senator Crapo has also been instrumental in fighting efforts abroad to discriminate against U.S. companies and their ability to compete in international markets.”

The NFTC Foundation will also honor Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) with the International Tax Award for his career-long commitment to pro-growth tax policies.

“During Senator Grassley’s long career in the Senate, he has always been a champion of tax policies that drive economic growth,” said Anne Gordon, NFTC Vice President for International Tax Policy. “As Chairman of Senate Finance, he led efforts to simplify the tax code, reducing the Foreign Tax Credit baskets and creating a look-thru provision for U.S. subsidiaries, efforts which help streamline compliance and mitigate double taxation.”

This year’s Trade Leadership for the Digital age awardees are Representatives Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Ted Lieu (D-CA), co-Chairs of the House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence.

“AI is the next frontier of trade policy, and Representatives Obernolte and Lieu have been at the forefront of bipartisan Congressional efforts to ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in technology and AI,” said Tiffany Smith, Vice President for Global Trade Policy.

The dinner will also feature remarks from the NFTC Foundation’s new President, Ambassador Demetrios Marantis, NFTC’s Board Chair Ambassador Susan Schwab, and Colvin.

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, CEOs, 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.

Auto Tariffs Will Cause Irreparable Harm to America’s Auto Industry

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

WASHINGTON DC – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for Global Trade Policy Tiffany Smith today issued a statement following the announcement by the President of new tariffs on automobile imports:

“The manufacture of automobiles is one of the most dynamic industries in the United States. Auto companies, both foreign and domestic, employ American workers and manufacture goods in the U.S. for sale both at home and abroad.

“Placing tariffs on imports of autos risks damaging the competitiveness and export readiness of an industry that relies on integrated international supply chains and markets for its success.

“We urge the administration to focus on the competitiveness of the U.S. auto industry and prioritize market opening opportunities for auto companies who manufacture vehicles for export in the United States.”

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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.

Leading Industry Associations Urge President Trump to Prioritize U.S. AI Leadership on the Global Stage

Posted on by Joe Locher

WASHINGTON DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today joined leading U.S. business associations in a letter calling on President Trump and his administration to take decisive action to ensure continued U.S. global leadership on artificial intelligence (AI).

“The United States is the undisputed leader in AI, but maintaining this edge is not a certainty,” said NFTC President Jake Colvin. “For America to harness AI’s transformative power, it is critical that the Trump Administration collaborate with industry to write international rules, shape the global governance framework and ensure foreign markets remain open to U.S. AI and AI-enabled products.”

“We have already seen positive signals on AI from the Trump Administration. This letter provides guidance to help frame the administration’s AI Action Plan called for by the President in his January 23 Executive Order which, if delivered upon, can drive economic growth while making America more competitive and secure,” said NFTC Senior Director for Trade and Innovation Policy, Brad Wood.

“Renewed leadership begins with championing the long-standing pillars that are foundational to U.S. digital competitiveness, from supporting cross-border data flows to opposing data localization or the forced disclosure of algorithms or source code. We must ensure America’s innovation-forward approach to AI is supported internationally and that an international patchwork of rules does not constrain its immense potential,” Wood added.

In addition to NFTC, the letter was signed by: ACT | The App Association, Coalition of Services Industries (CSI), Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), Consumer Technology Association (CTA), Engine, Global Innovation Forum, National Association of Manufacturers, National Small Business Association (NSBA), Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), Technet, Technology Trade Regulation Alliance (TTRA), U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the US Council for International Business (USCIB).

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 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 Confirmation of Jamieson Greer as U.S. Trade Representative

Posted on by Joe Locher

National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin today issued a statement following the confirmation by the Senate of Jamieson Greer as U.S. Trade Representative (USTR):

“We are thrilled to see the Senate confirm Ambassador Greer today, who will play a critical role in driving the Administration’s trade agenda. 

“We share Ambassador Greer’s desire for an active and pragmatic trade policy that creates U.S. jobs and more resilient supply chains. We appreciate his commitment to consulting with industry stakeholders and look forward to working with him and his team to stand up for American businesses, farmers and workers and strengthen our global economic leadership.”

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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 Commends Presidential Action to Address DSTs

Posted on by Joe Locher

WASHINGTON DC – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for Global Trade Policy Tiffany Smith issued a statement following the announcement by the White House of a Presidential Memorandum to address discriminatory tax or regulatory treatment of American companies abroad:

“We commend the Administration for focusing on the digital economy and for today’s actions aimed at addressing the discriminatory treatment of American companies abroad from digital services taxes (DSTs) and other similar measures. We also greatly appreciate the Administration’s support for a broad-based, permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions. 

“In the last couple of years, the United States has ceded its historical role as the global leader in shaping digital trade policies. This memorandum is a move in the right direction and a positive step towards restoring that leadership. 

“We look forward to engaging with the administration and Congress on this issue to ensure that American companies are not targeted in foreign markets.”

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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 Confirmation of Howard Lutnick as Secretary of Commerce

Posted on by Joe Locher

WASHINGTON DC – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin today issued a statement following the confirmation by the Senate of Howard Lutnick as Secretary of Commerce:

“Congratulations to Secretary Lutnick on his confirmation. The Commerce Department plays an outsize role in promoting our economic and commercial interests and ensuring U.S. companies can succeed when doing business around the world. At the same time, the Commerce Department plays a key role in implementing national security policies including dual-use export controls, antiboycott, defense production, and supply chain security. We are excited to work together to strengthen America’s competitiveness.”

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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.