Category: Press Releases and Statements

CSC Welcomes President’s Continuing Commitment to Export Control Reform

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Washington, DC – The Coalition for Security and Competitiveness (CSC) today released the following statement:

“The CSC welcomes the President’s reiteration of his commitment to export control reform. Our system has not been significantly changed in over twenty years and is badly out of date. Updating the system will enhance our security by allowing the government to focus its resources on enforcement against illicit exports of the most critical goods and technologies. At the same time it will enhance U.S. companies’ competitiveness by providing a clearer and more efficient licensing system.

“We particularly appreciate the President’s announcements today on encryption and dual nationals. If implemented as announced, both changes meet the twin goals of enhancing our security and our competitiveness. The President’s remarks were an important step in the right direction. We look forward to the rollout of the comprehensive reform plan in the coming weeks and reviewing the new regulations that will explain in greater detail the changes he announced.”

CSC members include the Aerospace Industries Association, the Association of American Exporters and Importers, the AMT – Association for Manufacturing Technology, The Business Roundtable, the Coalition for Employment Through Exports, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the Industrial Fastener Institute, the Information Technology Industry Council, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Defense Industrial Association, the National Foreign Trade Council, the Satellite Industry Association, the Space Enterprise Council, The Space Foundation, TechAmerica and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

About the Coalition:

The Coalition for Security and Competitiveness was launched on March 6, 2007, when it provided President Bush with initial recommendations for enhancing U.S. security and competitiveness through modernization of the export control system. Formed by eight leading associations, the Coalition seeks to modernize the export control system so that America is prepared to meet the security and economic challenges of the 21st century. More information about the coalition can be found online at www.securityandcompetitiveness.org.

NFTC President Urges Congress to Repeal Section 211

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Washington, DC – In testimony delivered today before the House Judiciary Committee, National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Bill Reinsch urged Congress to repeal Section 211 of the FY 1999 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which prohibits the United States from honoring trademarks of Cuban origin that were associated with businesses nationalized by the Cuban government in the early 1960s. The repeal of this provision – which is currently included in several House bills – would improve U.S. standing in the international trade community and benefit the American businesses.

“If this provision is maintained in law, its long term impact will be to jeopardize U.S. standing in the global intellectual property debate and to invite retaliation by Cuba, which could jeopardize trademark protection for over 5,000 U.S. trademarks currently registered in Cuba by more than 400 American companies,” Reinsch stated in his testimony. “The provision has no benefits for the U.S. business community and is far more likely to cause significant damage.”

Reinsch noted that Section 211 violates our WTO obligations and a major international treaty, the General Inter-American Convention for Trademarks and Commercial Protection, which requires a mutually honored recognition of intellectual property rights between the U.S. and Cuba. “The only effective remedy is repeal,” said Reinsch. “Repeal would ensure continued U.S. leadership on intellectual property issues by bringing the U.S. into compliance with all existing treaty obligations and by exemplifying high standards of intellectual property protection, including our commitment not to assign trademarks based on political criteria,” Reinsch stated in his testimony.

“The United States has long been a leader in securing intellectual property rights globally. Repeal of Section 211 will help sustain the U.S. position in this regard by providing assurance that American trademarks and trade names will be protected even when held by representatives of governments with which we have difficult relations,” said Reinsch. “In contrast, failing to repeal Section 211 threatens to overshadow the important contributions being made by the Congress and the Executive Branch to a consistent and predictable international intellectual property policy that serves the needs of U.S. business.”

For Reinsch’s full testimony, please click here.

About the NFTC

Advancing Global Commerce for 95 Years – 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 Welcomes 2010 Trade Agenda, Urges Action

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Washington, DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today welcomed the release of the Administration’s 2010 Trade Policy Agenda and 2009 Annual Report, and urged the Administration to take action on it without delay. NFTC President Bill Reinsch released the following statement:

“There is a lot to like in the Administration’s trade agenda. We are glad to see strong focus on breaking the deadlock of the Doha Round of trade negotiations, and a recognition of the importance of the pending free trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and Korea.

“We strongly support the Administration’s efforts to support new trade flows in green goods and services, and applaud their desire to find flexible mechanisms to support lower barriers to environmentally-friendly trade.

“We also applaud the Administration for undertaking new initiatives aimed at expanding market access for U.S. goods and services, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

“Though not mentioned in the agenda, we also hope that the Administration will work with the Mexican government to resolve the trucking dispute.

“This is an ambitious and comprehensive trade agenda. Now it’s up to the Administration to close the deal on the pending free trade agreements and to dedicate serious political resources to opening markets and create new, export-oriented jobs.”

About the NFTC

Advancing Global Commerce for 95 Years – 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