Category: Press Releases and Statements
Joint Association Statement on European Commission Release of the TTIP Investment Consultation Report
NFTC Welcomes DOT Announcement on U.S.-Mexico Cross-Border Trucking
Washington DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s announcement that Mexican motor carriers will soon be able to apply for authority to conduct long-haul, cross-border trucking services in the United States.
NFTC Vice President for Regional Trade Initiatives Chuck Dittrich stated:
“We are pleased that the cross-border trucking pilot program was a success, as indicated by the Department of Transportation’s exhaustive analysis of the program, and that the United States and Mexico have at long last set the stage for a resolution on this issue.
“Mexico is one of our most important trading partners, so the announcement to normalize the ability of Mexican carriers to apply for authority to operate cross-border trucking to transport goods into the United States is a big win for our bilateral trade relations. Honoring our international obligations under NAFTA ensures open borders for two-way trade that creates U.S. jobs and supports economic growth.”
About the NFTC
NFTC is Celebrating our New Century in 2014! Details at www.nftc.org The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York. Follow us on:
USA*Engage and NFTC Welcome Launch of U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba
Washington, DC – Today, USA*Engage and the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) welcomed the launch of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC), a coalition of more than 25 companies and farm trade associations with the goal of normalizing trade relations between the United States and Cuba.
“We welcome the creation of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba and its efforts in support of open trade and investment with Cuba,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “As an organization strongly supportive of an open, rules-based global trading system, we look forward to working with all sectors of the business community supportive of this initiative to normalize our trade relations with Cuba.”
“President Obama’s announcement in December on easing U.S. restrictions on Cuba signaled an important opening for the United States to reconsider its outdated Cuba policy and recognize the need to restore trade relations with Cuba,” said USA*Engage Vice President Richard Sawaya. “Seizing this opening, we welcome the opportunity to work with USACC and other members of the business community in continuing to provide evidence of the many benefits of a normalized trade relationship with Cuba for all sectors of our economy – from manufacturing to agriculture to services.”
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About USA*Engage
USA*Engage (www.usaengage.org) is a coalition of small and large businesses, agriculture groups and trade associations working to seek alternatives to the proliferation of unilateral U.S. foreign policy sanctions and to promote the benefits of U.S. engagement abroad. Established in 1997 and organized under the National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org), USA*Engage leads a campaign to inform policymakers, opinion leaders, and the public about the counterproductive nature of unilateral sanctions, the importance of exports and overseas investment for American competitiveness and jobs, and the role of American companies in promoting human rights and democracy worldwide.
About NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
NFTC Statement on President Obama’s Announcement on U.S. Cuba Policy
Washington DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) issued the following statement on President Obama’s announcement on U.S. Cuba policy.
NFTC President Bill Reinsch stated:
“The release of American prisoner Alan Gross and President Obama’s decision to seek the normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba is most welcome news. The decision is truly strategic. Decades of embargo have not advanced democracy or liberty for the Cuban people.
“The changes in the embargo made by the President within his executive authority will promote the free flow of information between individual Cubans and the rest of the world. Restoring normal diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba will foster U.S. interests culturally, commercially and regionally. It is past time to bring down the walls.
“While these changes are essential to promoting democracy in Cuba, they will not promote an immediate bonanza for American exporters. There is much work to be done in rebuilding what has historically been an important market for our manufacturers, farmers and service providers.
“The NFTC salutes the Administration for advancing these measures. We encourage the 114th Congress to support the President’s actions.”
NFTC Vice President for Global Trade Issues Jake Colvin added:
“Congress now has a decision to make. It can either show that politics stops at the water’s edge, or insist that the walls of the Cold War still exist.”
About the NFTC
NFTC is Celebrating our New Century in 2014! Details at www.nftc.org The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York. Follow us on:
NFTC Applauds Funding for TAA, Calls for Long-Term Reauthorization
Washington DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today applauded the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for passing a spending bill, which included additional funding for the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program in the coming year. TAA was set to expire on December 31, 2014.
“We applaud congressional action to continue funding TAA, a program critical to U.S. competitiveness and economic growth,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “We are pleased that members of Congress took legislative action to ensure that U.S. workers impacted by trade will continue to receive the benefits and training they need to get back on their feet and back to work. However, short-term funding is not enough; long-term reauthorization of this program is essential in a world driven by global supply chains and with rising domestic inequality.”
“Inclusion of provisions to fund TAA in the spending bill signals that it is a critical part of a comprehensive and competitive national trade policy of opening overseas markets, updating the rules of the global trading system and vigorously enforcing the actions of our trading partners to assure they adhere to those rules,” said NFTC Vice President for Regional Trade Initiatives Chuck Dittrich. “TAA is important to those U.S. firms and workers who are affected by the shifts in the U.S. economy by the elimination of tariffs and other trade barriers around the world. It provides assistance so that American workers can most quickly participate in the growth and innovation of the larger U.S. economy, made possible by free trade and investment.”
“Congress and the Administration should now turn to a bipartisan effort to provide the president modernized Trade Promotion Authority to facilitate the conclusion of future and current U.S. trade agreements under negotiation, including a high-standard, comprehensive Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement,” concluded Reinsch.
About the NFTC
NFTC is Celebrating our New Century in 2014! Details at www.nftc.org The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York. Follow us on:
USA*Engage Expresses Disappointment in Congressional Action to Impose Additional U.S. Russia Sanctions
NFTC, 11 Other Business Organizations Send Letter To NJ State Lawmakers In Opposition To Two “Buy American” Bills
NFTC Celebrates 100 Years, Policymakers Make Case for Trade
In Special Video Address, President Obama Commended the Association and Committed to Working with Congress to Pass TPA, Advance Trade Agreements
Washington DC – Last night, the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Foundation celebrated 100 years with its Centennial World Trade Dinner and Award Ceremony at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. Former U.S. Trade Representative Carla Hills, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Hills and Co., served as master of ceremonies, and guests – ranging from senior U.S. government officials and diplomats to C-level executives of global companies – heard from policymakers on the importance of trade.
President Obama delivered a special video message that was introduced by Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, commending the NFTC’s “100 years of promoting American commerce” and highlighting the benefits of trade.
“Today, more than ever, bolstering international trade is critical to growing America’s economy and advancing American leadership,” said President Obama. “The more we export, the more good jobs we support here at home. Jobs innovating the next big idea. Jobs designing breakthrough technologies. Jobs manufacturing American goods to be sold all around the world.”
President Obama also expressed his commitment to working with Congress “to renew a bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority so we can keep promoting American exports and supporting American jobs.”
Additionally, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) delivered remarks and was presented the 2014 NFTC World Trade Award for his lifetime achievement in opening markets worldwide to U.S. trade and investment. General Electric (GE) Chairman & CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt was honored with the first-ever NFTC Trade Leadership for the Digital Age award, which was accepted on Mr. Immelt’s behalf by GE Vice President Karan Bhatia, a former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative.
Other notable highlights include remarks by Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Stefan Selig and NFTC Chairman Alan Wolff.
To celebrate its centennial, the NFTC has convened a yearlong series of programs and activities, such as its This Week in Trade History campaign, to examine the future of trade in the context of key industries, regions and issues.
The NFTC was also honored with three major awards this year. On May 28, the association received the President’s “E Star” Award for Export Service – the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. On May 12, the NFTC received the World Trade Week NYC (WTW NYC) 2014 Global Trade Award for its 100 years of significant contributions to the growth of international trade in the New York metropolitan region. On April 2, the NFTC was presented the 2014 Advancing International Trade Award by the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators International (NASBITE International) – the leading professional society of international trade educators – in honor of its legacy of advancing international trade.
About the NFTC
NFTC is Celebrating our New Century in 2014! Details at www.nftc.org The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York. Follow us on:
NFTC’s Jake Colvin Appointed to USTR’s Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee
Washington DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) welcomed today the appointment of NFTC Vice President for Global Trade Issues Jake Colvin to the U.S. Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC). The Committee, managed by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement in cooperation with other agencies, provides policy counsel on issues involving trade and the environment.
“I am honored to have been selected as a member of the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee at a time when the United States is advancing one of the most robust trade policy agendas in a generation,” said Colvin. “Trade policies provide an opportunity to improve environmental outcomes and address global climate challenges. I look forward to working with USTR and my fellow Committee members on trade policies that promote the interests of American businesses, workers and consumers.”
In July, Colvin spearheaded the NFTC’s efforts to form the Coalition for Green Trade with the National Association of Manufacturers and the United States Council for International Business. Launched around the start of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) negotiations, the Coalition’s purpose is to educate policymakers and the public on the importance of lowering trade barriers to environmental technologies and to advocate for the negotiation of an ambitious EGA.
Colvin leads NFTC’s trade and environmental policy work, and represents the Council before international organizations including the WTO, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and UN Framework Convention for Climate Change. He also heads the NFTC’s Global Innovation Forum, which connects business, startup, development and university leaders with public policymakers to understand the opportunities and challenges associated with engaging in the global marketplace in the digital age.
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About the NFTC
NFTC is Celebrating our New Century in 2014! Details at www.nftc.org The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York. Follow us on:
