Category: Press Releases and Statements
Auto Tariffs Will Cause Irreparable Harm to America’s Auto Industry
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
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
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
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
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.
NFTC Statement on New Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
WASHINGTON DC – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for Global Trade Policy Tiffany Smith today issued a statement following the President’s announcement of new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports:
“NFTC supports the Administration’s comprehensive review of America’s trade policies, including the tariffs on steel and aluminum under Section 232 imposed during President Trump’s first term. However, today’s announcement of new blanket 25% tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum, before those reviews are completed, circumvents that process and throws a curve ball at U.S. manufacturers, leaving them with little time to adjust.
“This action will dramatically harm our competitiveness and increase the costs paid by American manufacturers that rely on steel and aluminum as inputs. Adding new tariffs on basic industries and eliminating mitigating options like country and product exclusions for items not currently available in the United States, which companies have relied on since President Trump’s first term, is especially disruptive at a time when the Administration is looking to boost American manufacturing.
“To give an idea of what these tariffs may mean, recent Tax Foundation data shows that U.S. importers have paid nearly $17.5 billion in existing steel and aluminum tariffs since the tariffs were put in place in 2018.”
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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 Announcement
WASHINGTON DC – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin today issued a statement following the administration’s announcement of tariffs.
“Putting tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico risks undermining America’s relationship with our closest trading partners and allies and has the potential to affect the price and availability of everything from avocados to automobiles.
“We encourage the three governments to intensify their discussions to deescalate the situation and quickly find a path forward to rescind these tariffs and avoid retaliation. Our focus should be on working together with Canada and Mexico to gain a competitive advantage and facilitate American companies’ ability to export to global 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 Scott Bessent as Secretary of the Treasury
National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin today issued a statement following the confirmation by the Senate of Scott Bessent as Secretary of the Treasury:
“We would like to offer Scott Bessent our congratulations on his confirmation as Secretary of the Treasury. This is a critical year for tax policy for the American business community as Congress considers extending TCJA and the Administration contemplates how best to address the possibility of discriminatory digital taxes abroad. We look forward to working with Secretary Bessent and his staff on these issues.”
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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: Canada Must Stop Its Discriminatory Digital Regulatory Agenda
WASHINGTON DC – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Senior Director for Trade and Innovation, Brad Wood, today issued a statement on the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s (CRTC) consultation on Canadian programming as part of the implementation of the Online Streaming Act.
“Canada continues to adopt discriminatory digital policies that unfairly target American companies. These overlapping and onerous rules unfairly tax U.S. businesses that operate and create significant economic benefits for Canada. Not only are these rules offside Canada’s trade obligations, they create a climate unfriendly to investment and harm competitiveness in a sector with a longstanding history of collaboration.
“This rulemaking sits alongside requirements that U.S. streaming platforms contribute to a fund to subsidize unrelated budgetary shortfalls in Canada, including contributions to local news, as well as the discriminatory digital services tax.
“NFTC recognizes the importance of supporting cultural industries and fostering strong Canadian programming, but the proposal needs to account for the significant content online platforms develop in Canada, and their critical role in amplifying Canadian programming and culture to the world. We hope to work with the Government of Canada to support discussions and consultations on how the broadcasting reform provisions can be amended to meet CRTC’s objectives while not unduly burdening U.S. companies.
“NFTC looks forward to working with the Administration and Congress to develop a strong digital leadership agenda to foster global competitiveness and defend against unfair trade practices around the world, including with our closest trading partner to the North.”
Read NFTC’s full submission 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.
