Category: Press Releases and Statements

2026 Tax Treaty Survey Highlights U.S. Business Priorities

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

Washington D.C. – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today released results from its annual Tax Treaty Survey. The survey, which was answered by tax professionals from NFTC member companies, asked businesses to rate their tax treaty priorities around the world.

“Tax treaties are essential for U.S. businesses, and we are thankful that Treasury is already working on advancing some of these priorities,” said Anne Gordon, NFTC Vice President for International Tax Policy. “Expanding the U.S. Treaty network and ensuring that treaties that are in place are working as intended are both critical. We encourage Treasury to continue this work and to focus on the concerns and countries highlighted in this survey.”

Highlights of this year’s survey include:

  • Switzerland once again topped the list, being identified as a top priority most often by respondents. Withholding tax rates on Dividends were, by far, the most important tax treaty negotiation item, followed by Limitation on Benefits (“LoB”) and withholding tax rates on Interest.
  • Brazil was identified as a top priority second most often by respondents, who cited that withholding rates on Royalties and Dividends were their top priorities in the country.
  • The next tranche of countries listed as a top priority for respondents consisted of Canada and Taiwan, and the final tranche included Hungary, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.
  • Switzerland followed by Brazil also received the overall highest number of votes.
  • In total, respondents requested negotiations with 25 countries.

Read the full results of the 2026 Tax Treaty Survey here.

An infographic of the survey results can be found 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 New Direction for Canada’s Streaming Law

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Senior Director Brad Wood today issued a statement following Canada’s decision to set new policy direction for the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s (CRTC) implementation of the Online Streaming Act:

“We welcome Canada’s decision to change course on the CRTC’s implementation of the Online Streaming Act, which would have been greatly detrimental to American companies’ ability to do business in the Canadian market. Today’s decision also reflects that if targeted funding to support Canadian content is needed, it should come from the Canadian government, not U.S. companies.

“This change is a step in the right direction, and we look forward to engaging the government as it develops a new policy direction for the CRTC.”

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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.

Brazil 301 Remedy Must Address U.S. Business Concerns

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:

“The bilateral trade relationship with Brazil is important for the success of U.S. businesses operating in both countries, but it is also one of the world’s most challenging markets. We appreciate USTR’s recognition of the harm that the country’s practices covered in the Section 301 determination have on U.S. companies and its effort to address them through this investigation.

“On digital trade, Brazil has advanced or considered several discriminatory digital policies beyond those covered by USTR’s determination, including proposals for ex ante digital competition regulations, an artificial intelligence (“AI”) bill, network usage fees, data center regulations, online marketplace liability requirements, and a digital services tax (DST).

“Brazil has also consistently stood in the way of multilateral progress at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on digital issues, including its recent objection at MC14 to a permanent customs duty moratorium.

“Beyond digital policies, the country’s poor track record of protecting intellectual property rights, including patent delays, inadequate data protection, and inappropriate use of compulsory licensing, is reflected in its nearly 20-year status on the Special 301 Watch List.

“We are hopeful that this process and subsequent bilateral conversations will help address many of these issues. The final Section 301 remedy should be designed to ensure Brazil effectively addresses these concerns. If the end result is persistent broad-based tariffs on Brazilian imports while these barriers remain, that’s not a good result of this process.”

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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.

232 Tariffs Will Slow Manufacturing, Harm National Security

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for National Security Policy Jeannette Chu today issued the following statement:

“With several Section 232 decisions on the horizon, we remain concerned with the effects that broad, and potentially stacking, tariffs that could be prescribed through these national security investigations would have on domestic manufacturing. Tariffs on industrial equipment, parts and components for robotics, medical devices, and derivative semiconductor products would threaten the competitiveness of America’s most dynamic industries at a time when many companies are building factories and investing in capital equipment.

“The NFTC shares the administration’s goal to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity and ensure American leadership in advanced technologies. However, broad tariffs on these sectors are likely to undermine the very goals this administration has championed by constraining manufacturing and introducing uncertainty that slows domestic investment and growth in production capacity.

“Several Section 232 investigations have resulted in a mix of tariff and non-tariff measures. Twenty-five percent tariffs on an extensive list of finished downstream steel and aluminum products, including many machinery products, have already negatively affected domestic manufacturing.

“Rather than tariffs, we urge the administration to pursue policies that support American industry and strengthen our national security by maintaining access to critical inputs and technologies from trusted partners and include incentives to boost R&D, workforce development, and advanced manufacturing.”

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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.

Canada’s Streaming Policy is Unworkable

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

WASHINGTON DC – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Senior Director Brad Wood today issued a statement following the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) online streaming policy announcements:

“By proposing to significantly expand this onerous digital tax and forced investment requirement, Canada risks exacerbating the strains in our bilateral relationship. It is the wrong policy at the wrong time.

“Throughout the CRTC’s consultations, NFTC has made it clear that this discriminatory framework is unworkable. It unfairly targets U.S. platforms and contravenes the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

“U.S. platforms have shown their commitment to the Canadian market, producing world-class Canadian content, supporting Canadian creators, and making their stories available coast-to-coast-to-coast and around the world.

“NFTC already voiced significant concerns with the proposal to contribute 5% of revenue to CRTC-designated funds. Increasing this requirement to compel U.S. streaming platforms to now contribute 15% of their in-country revenue, based on extremely prescriptive and onerous criteria, is incendiary. It fundamentally disregards the operating frameworks of the companies affected.

“We urge the Trump Administration to make this issue a priority, and we call on the Canadian Government to repeal the Online Streaming Act.”

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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 Calls on Australia to Drop Coercive News Media Bargaining Incentive Proposal

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 are extremely disappointed that Australia has advanced the News Media Bargaining Incentive legislation, a coercive and discriminatory policy that primarily targets large U.S. digital platforms.

“Forcing U.S. companies to allocate a portion of their Australian revenue to subsidize local news outlets or pay a punitive tax can hardly be called an incentive and is more aptly described as a retroactive digital services tax (DST). The proposed legislation makes it more expensive for U.S. companies to do business in Australia and creates a pay-to-play framework, regardless of whether these platforms carry news content.

“This move does not stand alone. It is one of several new and aggressive measures that Australia has taken that deteriorate the country’s business environment at the expense of American firms. NFTC calls on the Australian Government to withdraw this legislation, and we urge the United States Government to continue pushing for the elimination of this and other trade barriers that target and disadvantage U.S. companies. ”

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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 Protocol to U.S.-Croatia Tax Treaty

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

WASHINGTON D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for International Tax Policy Anne Gordon today issued a statement following the signing in Croatia of a protocol amending the 2022 U.S.-Croatia Tax Treaty.

“We welcome news that the United States and Croatia have signed this protocol, which includes critical updates to the agreement signed back in 2022, such as the amendments to the articles on the Limitation on Benefits and Relief from Double Taxation.

“Tax treaties are crucial to the competitiveness of U.S. companies in the global economy. We hope that this move continues the momentum for other important pending tax treaties currently being negotiated.

“Thank you to Treasury for their work in addressing business community concerns through this protocol, and we urge the Senate to quickly consider and ratify the treaty and protocol once transmitted.”

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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.

ITI and NFTC Convene WTO, Industry Leaders to Explore Intersection of AI and Trade

Posted on by Marshall Lane

WASHINGTON – On the margins of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Spring Meetings, global trade association ITI, in partnership with the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC), hosted World Trade Organization (WTO) Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill and senior trade and tech decision-makers for a discussion on the intersection of AI governance, digital trade rules, and global competitiveness.

In a fireside chat with ITI President and CEO Jason Oxman, Deputy Director-General Hill shared insights on the AI and trade landscape, followed by a panel featuring NFTC Vice President for Global Trade Policy Tiffany Smith and representatives from Applied Materials, IBM, and Toyota on the critical role trade rules play in supporting or hindering companies’ ability to develop and  deploy AI globally.

WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill said: “Just like the tech industry and wider business sector, the multilateral trading system finds itself in the face of a fast-changing technology driven environment. The WTO rulebook provides governments with tools to promote various aspects of the digital economy and help address cross-border risks. At the same time, it’s important that cooperation amongst members and others be strengthened to address the rapidly shifting trading landscape. The WTO stands ready as a forum for governments to engage on key issues shaping an enabling environment for trade, particularly for digital trade.”

ITI President and CEO Jason Oxman said: “Trade serves as a catalyst for global economic leadership, continued innovation, and robust AI development and deployment. Today’s conversation at ITI reiterated the importance of building on foundational digital trade principles that have supported technological progress for decades. We appreciate Deputy Director-General Hill’s leadership and look forward to working with the WTO and other policymakers to ensure global trade rules remain fit for an AI era.”

NFTC Vice President Tiffany Smith said: “Artificial intelligence has galvanized global attention for its transformative potential. Trade rules and regulatory frameworks will shape how rapidly and effectively AI can deliver on its promise. The WTO has played an important role in amplifying how such rules can advance AI. I want to thank ITI for convening us today, and the WTO and DDG Hill for their continued leadership 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.

Despite Progress, the WTO Ministerial Was a Missed Opportunity 

Posted on by Veronica Berkshire

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for Global Trade Policy Tiffany Smith today issued a statement in response to the conclusion of the World Trade Organization (WTO) 14th meeting of the Ministerial Conference (MC14) on Monday without action on several key priorities:

“It is disappointing that despite Ambassador Greer and USTR’s efforts, and strong support across WTO members, a handful of countries succeeded in blocking agreement on several key outcomes, including a long-term extension of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, the e-commerce work program, and the ministerial declaration and work program on WTO reform. 

“With global AI adoption and digital economy issues taking on increasing importance, a lapse in the moratorium and e-commerce work plan leaves the WTO on the sidelines at exactly the wrong moment.

“The inability to reach a unanimous consensus on extending the moratorium and work program, despite strong momentum, underscores the urgent need for the WTO to make progress on a reform agenda that prevents one or two countries from blocking initiatives that are in the interest of a majority of members.

“While we are encouraged that supporters of the E-Commerce Agreement are moving ahead to implement these obligations, it is unfortunate – but understandable – that they have had to seek a path outside of the WTO. This further underscores the importance of reform efforts so that the WTO remains a viable forum for negotiating new agreements on important issues.

“We are encouraged by the Director General’s guidance to re-engage on these issues in Geneva and urge negotiators to get back to the table so that a resolution of these issues can be reached quickly.” 

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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.