Category: Press Releases and Statements

NFTC Urges “Do No Harm” Approach in Semiconductor 232 Investigation

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

Washington, DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today submitted comments to the Commerce Department as part of the Administration’s 232 investigation of imports of semiconductors and their derivative products, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

The comments read, “NFTC respectfully asks that any measures adopted by the Administration through this investigation take a “do no harm” approach to the ongoing reshoring projects for advanced semiconductors. We urge the Administration to prioritize the adoption of pro-growth, non-tariff measures that facilitate the expeditious onshoring of planned advanced semiconductor manufacturing investments. Such measures could involve permitting reform, removing regulatory barriers that throttle growth and innovation, pro-growth tax policy, and a focus on the removal of trade and export barriers to U.S.-made products around the world.”

NFTC’s comments address the potential impact of Section 232 tariffs and offer non-tariff alternatives to strengthen domestic manufacturing while lessening the negative effects on the U.S. economy and the availability of these products.

“Semiconductors are everywhere and they are a key input in thousands of products Americans use every day. While we support the Administration’s efforts to ensure domestic access and production of semiconductors, chips and other derivative products, we believe we have one shot at getting this right. We are deeply concerned that getting this wrong and incorrectly applying either tariffs or non-tariff tools, will cause devastating and potentially permanent harm to this industry,” said Jeannette Chu, NFTC’s Vice President for National Security Policy. “Instead, we hope the Administration will consider the alternatives we lay out in our comments in order to ensure that the U.S. continues to build a durable and competitive industrial base that supports and enhances U.S. technology leadership for the future.”

Read our full comments here.

Earlier today the NFTC submitted comments in the Administration’s Section 232 Investigation of Imports of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceutical Ingredients. You can read 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 Supports Strengthening Pharmaceutical Supply Chains, but Tariffs are not the Answer

Posted on by Joe Locher

Washington, DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today submitted comments to the Commerce Department as part of the Administration’s 232 investigation of imports of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients.

NFTC urged the Administration to make its policy objectives clear and to approach the investigation with extreme caution given the risk tariff actions could have on access to life-saving medicines. Specifically, NFTC requests that the Administration not apply tariffs.

Instead, given the complexities of the global pharmaceutical supply chain, the Administration should deepen its partnership and coordination with allies and incentivize the domestic manufacture of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients through a positive regulatory, business and taxation framework.

NFTC’s comments, in part, emphasize that “it is not possible to utilize tariffs as a policy instrument to restructure pharmaceutical supply chains without irrevocable harm to drug manufacturing, to the health of Americans, and the American healthcare system.”

“We welcome the Administration’s focus on strengthening pharmaceutical supply chains, but tariffs aren’t the answer,” added Brad Wood, Senior Director for Trade and Innovation Policy. “We urge the Administration to narrow the focus of their investigation, and to prioritize policy actions that will strengthen American pharmaceutical competitiveness, support global supply chains, and protect patient and consumer access to the medicines and treatments that they rely on.”

NFTC’s comments can be found 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 Announces Key Leadership Promotions to Strengthen Operations and Supply Chain Policy

Posted on by Joe Locher

John Pickel, Marshall Lane and Patty Gonzalez will hold new positions

Washington, D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin today released the following statement announcing three staffing changes: John Pickel will now serve as Vice President for International Supply Chain Policy; Marshall Lane will now serve as Chief Administrative Officer and Patty Gonzalez will now serve as Executive Assistant.

“I am thrilled to be able to recognize the great work that John, Marshall and Patty do every day at the NFTC with these new positions.

“John has been an invaluable member of the team since his first day at the NFTC. His knowledge of just about every aspect of the international supply chain space is unparalleled, and we are thrilled to keep growing NFTC’s work in this area under his leadership.

“Marshall’s new role comes as he approaches his 25th year at the NFTC. During that time, his responsibilities have grown to include leading the NFTC’s efforts in all administrative aspects. As Chief Administrative Officer, he will continue to grow and modernize the NFTC and we are thrilled for him to hold this title.

“Patty is the glue that holds the NFTC team together. I am thrilled that she will now be occupying this new role and continuing her stellar support of the entire NFTC team.”

John, Patty and Marshall’s bios can be found 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 Supports Bipartisan Efforts to Reassert Congressional Authority Over Tariffs

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

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

“We welcome the bipartisan action led by Senators Grassley and Cantwell and Representatives Bacon, Gottheimer, Hurd and Meeks to reassert Congressional authority over the tariff process. While we support the Administration’s efforts to grow our economy, we also believe that Congress has a critical role to play in setting trade policy and has clear Article 1 authority to set duties and taxes.

“Appropriate oversight by the Congress can ensure that tariff actions support the broader national interests and balance both the economic benefits and potential negative effects that some of these policies may have on American businesses and consumers across the country.”

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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 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.