Category: Press Releases and Statements

USPTO Honors Global Innovation Forum Members for Efforts to Address Humanitarian Needs

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Washington DC– The Global Innovation Forum, a project of the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Foundation, today applauded Gilead Sciences, Microsoft and Procter & Gamble, three companies honored last night with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Patents for Humanity program awards. All are members of the Global Innovation Forum and were among 10 companies selected to receive awards in this first-ever competition.

“USPTO’s Patents for Humanity program is pioneering policymaking that improves the enabling environment for innovation to meet common global challenges like development, public health, climate change and food security,” said Global Innovation Forum Executive Director John Stubbs. “Patents alone do not put innovation in the hands of people in need. Delivering technology to hard-to-reach markets around the world requires extraordinary effort, and this program should be commended for recognizing that work by leading American innovators.”

“We are honored to be included among this impressive class of recipients,” said Gregg Alton, Executive Vice President for Corporate and Medical Affairs at Gilead Sciences. “Our access program, built on the strength of U.S., Indian and international patent law, demonstrates that intellectual property can work to empower access to medicines. Our generic partners in India and Africa really share this award with us – their contributions to manufacturing innovation have saved millions of lives.”

“Powerful software that can interpret and make sense of the changing world around us requires an intensive and long-term investment in research,” said Horacio Gutierrez, Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Microsoft. “Microsoft can make these investments and provide innovations like Infer.NET free of charge for non-commercial activities because we can commercialize our most inventive discoveries. Supported by strong patent protections, the extraordinary thinkers represented in all categories of the USPTO Patents For Humanity award have the resources they need to tackle complex humanitarian problems and make a difference in our world.”

“On behalf of P&G employees and our many partners, we’re thrilled to receive one of the first Patent for Humanity awards for our innovative P&G water purification packets,” said Dr. Greg Allgood, Director and Founder of the P&G Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program. “Now, we’re more determined than ever to scale-up our efforts so that we can save one life every hour in the developing world by providing 2 billion liters of clean water every year by 2020.”

Patents for Humanity is the USPTO’s flagship program that creates business incentives for using patented technology to address global challenges in health and standards of living. Last year, participants submitted applications to USPTO describing how they have addressed humanitarian needs with patented technology in the fields of medicine, food and nutrition, clean technology, and information technology. After a rigorous selection process, USPTO announced last night recipients at an awards ceremony held in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing room. In addition to recognition of their work, recipients were awarded a certificate for accelerated processing of select matters at the USPTO. More information on the Patents for Humanity program is available here:
http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/patents_for_humanity.jsp

About the NFTC Foundation
The National Foreign Trade Council was founded in 1914 and is the oldest and largest trade association devoted entirely to advocating an open, rules-based international trade system. NFTC promotes open markets and U.S. engagement in the world on behalf of its member companies, which include Abbvie, Caterpillar, eBay, General Electric, Hanes Brands, IBM, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble and Wal-Mart. The Global Innovation Forum is a project of NFTC’s educational arm, the NFTC Foundation, which brings together diverse groups of stakeholders to create a better understanding of how the innovation ecosystem and public policy can improve the lives of workers, families and communities.
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NFTC Releases Draft Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2013

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Washington DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today released its draft bill, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) Act of 2013, developed to initiate and facilitate debate over the objectives of future trade agreements and ensuring an efficient “fast track” process for Congressional consideration of implementing legislation. This draft legislative text is an updated version of the NFTC’s draft Trade Negotiating Authority Act of 2009.

“Trade promotion authority is critical to U.S. trade policy, and with the renewal of TPA legislation at the forefront of the trade agenda this year, we hope to jumpstart the debate with the release of our new draft legislation,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “The global trading system has seen significant changes since the last TPA bill was signed into law. Our draft legislation includes new negotiating objectives that address the challenges and realities of today’s global trading system, including forced localization, cross-border data flows and intellectual property rights, just to name a few.”

The new fundamental negotiating objectives cited in the draft bill include:

  • Ensuring that regulations in the United States and abroad are coherent, science-based and arrived at transparently;
  • Enhancing the protection of intellectual property rights by ensuring that U.S. standards of protection and enforcement are incorporated in new trade agreements;
  • Ensuring that U.S. companies have full access to global supply and distribution chains;
  • Modernizing rules, standards and practices governing the flow of data and information across borders;
  • Harmonizing customs and other border measures to facilitate trade;
  • Ensuring high levels of environmental protection and respect for fundamental labor rights;
  • Strengthening rules against forced localization through practices and laws that force companies to source goods and services or transfer technology as a condition of doing business;
  • Strengthening World Trade Organization (WTO) rules to prevent market-distorting export restrictions;
  • Promoting transparency and non-discrimination in government procurement systems; and
  • Improving health outcomes by creating competitive opportunities for a full range of U.S. products (innovative and generic) and services.
Additionally, the draft legislation acknowledges that multilateral negotiations are moving toward a two-track system within the WTO in which countries willing to undertake greater liberalization can do so on a non-MFN basis without being held back by those unable or unwilling to participate and calls for tougher enforcement of the “substantially all trade” requirement for free trade agreements. The bill also focuses bilateral objectives on countries that would provide the greatest economic benefit to the United States, in addition to encouraging harmonization of the rules in various bilateral and regional agreements.

Procedurally, the bill would renew trade promotion authority for five years with the option to extend it at regular five-year intervals if the President requests and the Congress does not disapprove. It would also create a special rule for the TPP negotiations, permitting the fast-track procedures to apply to implementing legislation for a TPP agreement only if one were submitted within a year of the date of enactment of the bill.

The bill also creates an Office of Trade Analysis within USTR and establishes a petition process within the Executive Branch for considering proposals to remove U.S. nontariff trade barriers.

Click here to read the full text of the bill.

Click here to read a summary of the bill.

Click here for a list of major changes from the 2002 law.

 

About the NFTC
Advancing Global Commerce for Nearly A Century- 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.
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NFTC’s Global Innovation Forum Holds Immigration Discussion at the University of Texas at Austin

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Washington DC– As part of its discussion series on immigration, themed “Goodbye Global Innovators?,” the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Foundation’s Global Innovation Forum recently held a roundtable discussion at the University of Texas at Austin on policy issues surrounding the ability of the United States to attract and retain top global talent, particularly students, entrepreneurs, researchers and high-skilled workers. The event, which took place last Wednesday, featured two panel discussions – “The Impact of U.S. Visa and Immigration Policies on American Businesses and Entrepreneurs” and “The Impact of Visa and Immigration Policies on Innovation, Research and Life in University Communities” – in addition to a luncheon featuring remarks on “The Impact of U.S. Immigration and Visa Policies on U.S. National Interests.”

“In Austin and at another recent event at Duke University, we’ve had the opportunity to hear from entrepreneurs, students and top business and academic leaders about the often negative impact that U.S. immigration and visa policies have on American innovation and economic competitiveness. We heard clearly that the United States needs to do more to attract and retain the talent needed to foster U.S. economic growth, create jobs and strengthen America’s innovation leadership,” said NFTC Vice President for Global Trade Issues Jake Colvin.

 

Business and university leaders, students and entrepreneurs from the region participated in the event. In addition to NFTC President Bill Reinsch and Vice President for Global Trade Issues Jake Colvin, speakers included:

  • Ryan Erickson, Director of Political Research, Partnership for a New American Economy;
  • Admiral Bob Inman;
  • Rose Jennings, Director, Employment Law, AMD;
  • Chetan Kapoor, CEO and Founder, Agile Planet, Inc.;
  • Columbia Mishra, Ph.d. Candidate, Mechanical Engineering, and President, Graduate Student Assembly, University of Texas at Austin
  • Drew Scheberle, Senior Vice President, Talent and Workforce Development, Austin Chamber of Commerce;
  • Ting Shen, Co-founder and CEO, NanoLite Systems, Inc.;
  • Erika Sumner, Co-Founder, Social Good TV, and Innovation & Community Advocate;
  • Jeremi Suri, Professor and Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs, Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin; and
  • Andrew Thorley, Assistant Director, International Student and Scholar Services, International Office, University of Texas at Austin.

The NFTC’s Global Innovation Forum discussion series on immigration and American competitiveness is part of a national innovation initiative made possible by the GE Foundation. This event was held in partnership with theUniversity of Texas at Austin,Austin Chamber of Commerce and Partnership for a New American Economy. The series was launched last month at Duke University.

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About the NFTC Foundation
The National Foreign Trade Council was founded in 1914 and is the oldest and largest trade association devoted entirely to advocating an open, rules-based international trade system. NFTC promotes open markets and U.S. engagement in the world on behalf of its member companieswhich include Abbvie, Caterpillar, eBay, General Electric, Hanes Brands, IBM, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble and Wal-Mart. The Global Innovation Forum is a project of NFTC’s educational arm, the NFTC Foundation, which brings together diverse groups of stakeholders to create a better understanding of how the innovation ecosystem and public policy can improve the lives of workers, families and communities.
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NFTC Joins Other Leading Organizations in Launching Business Coalition for Transatlantic Trade

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Washington DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today joined with other business organizations in launching the Business Coalition for Transatlantic Trade (BCTT) at an event today on Capitol Hill. The NFTC, a leading member of the coalition, released the following statement.

“We are encouraged by the significant support Members of Congress have shown for a comprehensive transatlantic trade and investment agreement. The longstanding U.S.-EU commercial relationship is critical, and an agreement will only further strengthen transatlantic ties, boost economic growth and increase U.S. jobs and exports.

“There is momentum building both here in the United States and the EU for robust dialogue on how best to enhance our commercial relations through this agreement, and we are hopeful for an ambitious conclusion to the negotiations. On behalf of our members, and as a member of the Business Coalition for Transatlantic Trade, we look forward to working with both the Administration and Congress in the coming months to advance the transatlantic economic partnership.”

According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, last year the U.S.-EU economic relationship generated an estimated $2.7 billion in goods and services trade daily, and was directly responsible for more than six million jobs, as of 2010. In terms of investment, in 2011, foreign direct investment between the EU and the United States totaled an estimated $3.7 trillion.

 
 

About the NFTC
Advancing Global Commerce for Nearly A Century- 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.
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NFTC’s Global Innovation Forum Launches Immigration Discussion Series at Duke University

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Washington DC– Yesterday, the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Foundation’s Global Innovation Forum held the first in a series of regional roundtable discussions, themed “Goodbye Global Innovators?,” on the impact of U.S. immigration and visa policies on American competitiveness. The event, which took place at the Duke University Fuqua School of Business, featured two panel discussions – “The Impact of U.S. Visa and Immigration Policies on American Businesses and Entrepreneurs” and “The Impact of Visa and Immigration Policies on Innovation, Research and Life in University Communities.” Both panels focused on the ability of the United States to attract and retain top global talent, particularly students, entrepreneurs, researchers and high-skilled workers.

The purpose of the discussion series is to convene students, faculty, entrepreneurs and business voices to elicit stories on how current policies affect the business and education communities to better inform the debate surrounding high-skilled immigration and global mobility policies in Washington.

“Attracting and retaining global talent is critical to American innovation,” said NFTC Vice President for Global Trade Initiatives Jake Colvin. “Fixing America’s outdated immigration and visa systems and making the United States more attractive as a destination for the world’s best and brightest is essential to maintaining our competitive edge.”

Business and university leaders, students and entrepreneurs from the Research Triangle area participated in yesterday’s event. Speakers included: Madhu Beriwal, President and CEO, IEM; Nicole Hedrick, HR Director, Global Immigration, IBM; Chris Hare, Founder and CEO, The nTeTe Group; Jeremy Robbins, Director, Partnership for a New American Economy; Aaron “Ronnie” Chatterji, Associate Professor, Fuqua School of Business, Duke University; Judith Cone, Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Pan Wu, Ph.D. candidate, Department of Chemistry, Duke University; and Michael Schoenfeld, Vice President, Public Affairs and Government Relations, Duke University, and Chairman of the Board, Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce.

The NFTC’s Global Innovation Forum discussion series on immigration and American competitiveness is part of a national innovation initiative made possible by the GE Foundation. Yesterday’s event was held in partnership with Duke University, the Durham Chamber of Commerce and Partnership for a New American Economy.

The next discussion in the series will be held at the University of Texas at Austin on April 3. 


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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council was founded in 1914 and is the oldest and largest trade association devoted entirely to advocating an open, rules-based international trade system. NFTC promotes open markets and U.S. engagement in the world on behalf of its member companies, which include Abbvie, Caterpillar, eBay, General Electric, Hanes Brands, IBM, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble and Wal-Mart. The Global Innovation Forum is a project of NFTC’s educational arm, the NFTC Foundation, which brings together diverse groups of stakeholders to create a better understanding of how the innovation ecosystem and public policy can improve the lives of workers, families and communities. 
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NFTC Welcomes Administration’s Notification to Congress of Intent to Negotiate U.S.-EU Trade Agreement

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Washington DC– The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today welcomed the Obama Administration’s notification to Congress of its intent to enter into trade negotiations with the European Union (EU).

“We applaud the Administration for working together with EU leaders to formally launch trade negotiations, which have the potential to advance and further strengthen our trade and investment ties,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “The transatlantic commercial relationship is already the most economically significant and integrated in the world, and a comprehensive agreement would help to ensure the growth of U.S. goods and services exports, as well as the creation of American jobs.”

According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, last year the U.S.-EU economic relationship generated an estimated $2.7 billion in goods and services trade daily, and was directly responsible for more than six million jobs, as of 2010. In terms of investment, in 2011, foreign direct investment between the EU and the United States totaled an estimated $3.7 trillion.

“Although both sides acknowledge the great potential and importance of this agreement, the issues that divide us are not new. Particularly with respect to standards and regulations, past efforts to harmonize our differences have not been successful,” Reinsch continued. “However, this new attempt reflects the realization that together the EU and United States can best meet the new competitive challenges in the trading system by working together. Hopefully that will provide the momentum to successfully conclude this effort.”

“Given the significance and scope of the U.S.-EU economic relationship, as well as the substantive issues to be addressed, these negotiations will be complex, and we urge the negotiators to work toward an agreement that will lead to expanded market access and increased regulatory compatibility,” said NFTC Vice President for Regional Trade Initiatives Chuck Dittrich. “If these goals are achieved, the agreement will lead to increased economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic. We encourage the negotiators to work toward an ambitious agreement.”
 

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About the NFTC
Advancing Global Commerce for Nearly A Century- 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.
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NFTC Statement on Japan’s Announcement of Intent to Seek Entry to TPP Negotiations

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Washington DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today welcomed news that Japan has announced its intent to seek to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, and urged negotiators to maintain their commitment to complete a high-standard, comprehensive agreement. The NFTC released the following statement.

“The inclusion of Japan – the third largest economy in the world – would be significant to the TPP negotiations, as it would have the potential to further increase U.S. economic engagement in the Asia-Pacific region and expand unprecedented market access for U.S. businesses, workers, farmers and service providers,” said NFTC Vice President for Regional Trade Initiatives Chuck Dittrich. “We welcome today’s news, and we also caution that with Japan’s inclusion, it is critical that efforts to achieve a high-standard final agreement be maintained. For this to happen, Japan must be committed to dismantle deeply-rooted tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade in key sectors, including autos, insurance, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.”

“The TPP partners have a real opportunity to conclude a comprehensive agreement that could be the gold standard for future plurilateral trade agreements. Japan must continue to reorient its engagement with the United States and other TPP partners for the agreement to reach its full potential,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “The Administration has made clear that it would like to see a conclusion of the negotiations this year, so as the United States and other TPP partners seek to expand membership further, it is critical to maintain momentum while still abiding by the core commitment to a comprehensive agreement that precludes no sector and addresses all issues relevant in today’s integrated global economy.”

 

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About the NFTC
Advancing Global Commerce for Nearly A Century- 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.
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NFTC Joins In Urging Timely Appointments to the Eximbank

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March 8, 2013

The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

The undersigned associations view the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im), with its mission to create or sustain U.S. jobs, as one of the most important tools we have to promote economic growth through exports. Accordingly, we urge you to move swiftly on nominations for the Ex-Im Bank’s Board of Directors. The bipartisan Board of Directors is instrumental to its day-to-day operation – managing the Bank and approving its transactions.

Ex-Im Bank authorized more than $35 billion in financing in FY 2012, supporting more than 255,000 American jobs. The Bank worked with more than 3,400 U.S. companies, 85 percent of which were small businesses. Ex-Im is a vital tool in leveling the global playing field, helping manufacturers to offset the financing support our foreign competitors receive from their governments, and in securing new customers in emerging markets. With the U.S. economy still growing slowly, it is vital that we maintain the competitiveness of U.S. exporters. The Ex-Im Bank also generates enough fees to offset its costs, contributing the remaining surplus to the U.S. Treasury.

By law, the Bank’s Board of Directors must have a quorum – or three of its five members – to approve transactions. Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg was confirmed by the Senate on May 14, 2009. His term ended on January 20, 2013, and he is currently leading the Bank under a six-month extension. Director and Vice Chair Wanda Felton and Director Larry Walther are also continuing to serve under similar extensions. The extensions allowed under the Bank’s charter will expire, at the latest, in July. If three of the five positions go unfilled, the Bank’s business will grind to a halt.

Failure to act quickly on nominations for the pending Board vacancies would threaten those hundreds of thousands of American jobs that depend directly or indirectly on Ex-Im Bank’s export financing. Reliable access to export financing is a vital part of being globally competitive, and export financing has taken on renewed importance in today’s unsettled financial environment. Exporters increasingly face difficulties in obtaining credit and working capital, and overseas customers are financially stretched – conferring a decisive advantage on exporters who can provide better financial terms.

If the Bank’s activities are halted, without a quorum to approve transactions, U.S. exporters would lose access to this crucial “lender of last resort.” The playing field would tilt against U.S. companies, and customers may turn to foreign competitors that have support from aggressive foreign export credit agencies. Exports are increasingly critical to manufacturers in the United States, and the latest trade data highlights the continuing challenges in the global marketplace.

U.S. goods exports in 2012 grew by only $66.7 billion, less than half the value of export growth between 2010 and 2011. This 4.9 percent increase in exports is far from the 15 percent rate of increase necessary for the United States to meet the goal of the National Export Initiative and create much-needed new economic opportunities. Disrupting Ex-Im Bank’s transactions would only put up another road block for U.S. exporters.

Ex-Im Bank needs stable, dynamic leadership that will ensure the Bank maintains its track record of continuous improvements, fiscal responsibility and effective export promotion. The undersigned associations respectfully urge you to move swiftly on nominations for the Ex-Im Bank’s Board of Directors. We stand ready to work with you, your administration, and Congress to achieve the goal of doubling America’s exports.

Aerospace Industries Association
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Coalition for Employment through Exports
Emergency Committee for American Trade
Financial Services Roundtable
General Aviation Manufacturers Association
National Association of Manufacturers
National Foreign Trade Council
National Small Business Association
Nuclear Energy Institute
Small Business Exporters Association
TechAmerica
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

About the NFTC
Advancing Global Commerce for Nearly A Century- 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.
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NFTC Names James Wilkinson Vice President for Strategy and Growth

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Washington, DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today announced that James Wilkinson will join the association as Vice President for Strategy and Growth, effective April 15. Wilkinson has served as Executive Director of the Washington International Trade Association (WITA) since 2003.

“James has done a superb job of growing WITA and its membership over the past nine years, and I am excited that we will now be able to take advantage of his many talents on behalf of the NFTC, particularly as we approach our centennial,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “This is a great fit on many levels, and we look forward to his arrival. Given his extensive background in international trade, we know that James will be an asset as we advocate policies to maximize U.S. economic growth and job creation through increased engagement in the global economy.”

As Vice President for Strategy and Growth, Wilkinson will lead NFTC’s business development efforts, including marketing, communications and membership growth, as well as coordination with the Board of Directors and organizing the NFTC Foundation’s annual World Trade Dinner.

While at WITA, Wilkinson doubled individual membership and the number of corporate sponsors and group memberships. He also launched the Young Trade Professionals and USTR Alumni Association affiliate groups. In February 2012, he was appointed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson to the District Export Council (DEC), a public-private sector organization helping small- and medium-sized enterprises in the area advance their export operations.

Prior to joining WITA, Wilkinson managed business development and customer relations for several international educational organizations. Wilkinson is also active in municipal government, serving in his second term as Mayor Pro Tem for the Town of Berwyn Heights, MD. In this capacity, he serves as Head of the Public Works Department, leads the Town’s efforts to build more sidewalks, particularly along bus routes and routes to schools, and serves as Mayor when the Mayor is absent. He has served as a Council Member since May of 2009.

Wilkinson holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University, and in 2012 earned the prestigious Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

 

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About the NFTC
Advancing Global Commerce for Nearly A Century- 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.
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