Category: Press Releases and Statements

NFTC Welcomes President’s SOTU Remarks on Expanding Trade Partnerships, Immigration Reform

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Applauds Launch of U.S.-EU Trade Negotiations

Washington, DC – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Bill Reinsch today released the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address:

“The NFTC welcomes President Obama’s remarks on enhancing U.S. competitiveness and job creation, specifically through the pursuit of comprehensive trade agreements with nations around the world and immigration reform.

“We applaud the President’s announcement that the United States will continue to work toward completion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and launch trade negotiations with the European Union.

“While the U.S.-EU talks will not be easy, they are critically important. In the integrated world market we now have, trade is neither optional nor a lagniappe. It is a necessity if we are to remain competitive, and there is no better partner than Europe where we already have longstanding economic relationships and substantial investment already flowing across the Atlantic in both directions.

“Beyond trade, if we are to truly harness the United States’ economic growth potential, the President and Congress must also work together to reform our broken immigration system to ensure America attracts and retains the world’s best and brightest talent. This too will not be easy, but the proposals the President and bipartisan groups of Members of Congress are putting forth are certainly a good start.”
 

 
About 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 Over 100 Associations and Companies in Calling on Congress to Renew GSP

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Washington DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) joined with 138 other leading American companies and associations calling on Congress to immediately renew the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. The GSP program saves American importers hundreds of millions of dollars by eliminating tariffs on imports from approximately 130 developing countries. However, GSP is set to expire at the end of July and American companies would face $2 million per day in new taxes if Congress fails to renew GSP by August 1.

“GSP is a critically important program that helps U.S. companies of all sizes, but particularly small- and medium-sized businesses, access low-cost inputs they need to manufacture a wide range of exports,” said NFTC Vice President for Regional Trade Initiatives Chuck Dittrich. “The program is central to U.S. export growth and helps support economic growth and American jobs. We urge Congress to renew GSP immediately.”

The Coalition for GSP, of which the NFTC is a member, yesterday released its 2013 GSP Supporter List, which includes 124 companies ranging from small, family-owned businesses to some of the largest corporations in the world, such as General Electric and Home Depot. Fifteen business associations have also joined the GSP Supporter List.

The full list of organizations, which is expected to grow over time, is available here: http://renewgsptoday.com/2013-gsp-supporter-list.

The Coalition’s Renew GSP Today website “Press Resources” page includes the latest facts and figures about the GSP program, Coalition press releases and links for media inquiries. For more information about the Coalition, contact Daniel Anthony from the Coalition for GSP at anthony@tradepartnership.com.

 

 
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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Wal-Mart’s Sarah Thorn to Serve as Chair of NFTC’s WTO Working Group

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Washington, DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) released the following statement today announcing that Sarah Thorn, Senior Director of Federal Government Relations at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., will serve as Chair of NFTC’s World Trade Organization (WTO) Working Group.

“Having had the pleasure of working with Sarah for many years, we are excited to collaborate with her in her new role as the Chair of our WTO Working Group,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “Sarah has tremendous experience and expertise on international trade and WTO-related issues, and we look forward to her leadership and guidance.”

Thorn currently manages international policy issues at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and has advocated for Wal-Mart’s priorities in legislation and trade negotiations that impact the company’s worldwide sourcing and retail distribution rights. Prior to Wal-Mart, she worked at the Grocery Manufacturers Association and led the food, beverage and consumer products industry advocacy on international trade issues. Thorn also previously worked as a consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers and as an international relations representative with AMP Incorporated.

“From making progress toward an international services agreement to expanding the information technology agreement to concluding negotiations on trade facilitation, there is a range of important issues to advance in Geneva this year. We look forward to leveraging Sarah’s expertise to advance the interests of NFTC-member companies in these critical negotiations,” said NFTC Vice President for Global Trade Issues Jake Colvin.

 


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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