Press Releases and Statements Archives - Page 76 of 107

U.S. Business Community and NGO Leaders Unite to Urge the President and Congress to Take Action on Trade & Investment Agenda

Posted on March 20, 2009 by dcadmin

Call on Policymakers to Work With Our International Partners to Spur Global Economic Growth and Development

Washington, DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today joined a unique combination of individuals from prominent U.S. business community and non-governmental organizations in urging the Administration and Congress to enact policies that promote global economic growth and increase international trade and investment flows. In a letter sent today to President Obama and House and Senate leaders, a broad cross section of organizations, representing the business, faith-based and development communities, argued that at this time of economic crisis, trade and investment policies are critical to aiding developing countries and alleviating poverty.

In addition to the NFTC, the letter was signed by leaders of 16 organizations, including Business Roundtable, the Center for Global Development, the Emergency Committee for American Trade, the ONE Campaign, Oxfam America and the United States Council of Catholic Bishops, among others. The letter stated, “It is highly unusual for the development, faith-based, and business communities to write a joint letter to the Administration and Congress, but there are aspects of the current global financial crisis that warrant such common efforts.”

“During this difficult period for economies around the world, it is necessary to recognize that the economic welfare of Americans is inextricably linked with the well-being of men, women, and children across the globe,” the letter stated. “It is essential, therefore, that the United States reject those policies that will worsen the impact of the current economic crisis on global economic growth and development, particularly with respect to poor nations, and work instead, alongside the people of these nations to further their own sustainable development. By doing so, we ultimately secure our own economic future.”

Citing three recent reports from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization, the organizations pointed to evidence of the impact of the global economic crisis on developing countries and the need for swift, purposeful action. The letter noted that countries in Africa are at risk of sliding further into poverty, as are other nations in the developing world. The letter also highlighted a World Bank statistic, which shows that each one percent drop in global economic growth could trap another 20 million people in poverty.

“Our organizations have come together under one umbrella to send a clear message to the President and to Congress that taking action on U.S. trade and investment policies will not only help to stimulate the U.S. economy and help us here at home, but will also help to improve the economic well-being of people around the world,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “Sound international trade and investment policies are part of the solution to the crisis we are all facing.”

The letter outlined four key steps the Administration and Congress should take to promote global economic growth, encourage poverty alleviation, increase political stability, and promote openness. The organizations called on policymakers to affirm and “work vigorously” toward a successful conclusion of the Doha Round; reaffirm at the London Summit in April the G-20 commitment to rejecting protectionism; review and reform U.S. trade preference programs to ensure their efficacy; and reinforce the U.S. commitment to increase development assistance.

The letter concluded, “It is important to remember that at the heart of the global financial system are working families and local communities whose fate is bound together in a globalized economy. Our nation is undergoing severe distress in terms of jobs, businesses and investment that is taking a daily toll on people. Such problems should motivate us to seek solutions that reject destructive protectionism on the one hand and global indifference to the plight of the poor on the other.”

To read the full letter, click here: www.nftc.org/default/Trade Policy/Trade_Policy/Global Trade and Development Joint Ltr.pdf

About the NFTC

Advancing Global Commerce for Over 90 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.

NFTC Urges Congress to Abide by NAFTA Commitments and Restore U.S.-Mexico Cross Border Trucking

Posted on March 17, 2009 by dcadmin

Says Reneging on International Commitments Will Only Lead to More Retaliation

Washington, DC – Following Mexico’s announcement that it will increase tariffs on some U.S. products in response to the United States reneging on its commitments under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to maintain the Cross Border Trucking Pilot Program, the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today urged Congress to take the necessary steps to abide by our international commitments.

“At a time when the U.S. economy is in limbo and our exports are essential to maximizing our recovery and growth, it is critical for Congress and the Administration to act in accordance with our international commitments under NAFTA,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “By failing to honor the agreement, the United States is putting at risk economic and diplomatic relations with one of our largest trading partners and a key ally in the region. Backtracking on our promises provokes retaliation, as is evidenced by Mexico’s announcement.”

In December 2008, the NFTC and more than 60 other trade associations and individual companies warned in a letter to Members of Congress that halting the program would likely lead Mexico to retaliate, and could cost the United States as much as $2 billion per year. They argued that the U.S. industries vulnerable to Mexican retaliation include agriculture, consumer electronics, and textiles.

“Mexico is a critically important export market for U.S. businesses and manufacturers, and increased tariffs on U.S. products make our companies and the goods they produce less competitive,” said Chuck Dittrich, NFTC Vice President for Regional Trade Initiatives. “If we hope to grow our economy and create jobs, the United States cannot afford to take actions that provide ammunition for our trading partners to retaliate, and in turn restrict our competitiveness.”

“We call on Congress to take the appropriate actions to honor our commitments under NAFTA, and work with the Administration to swiftly resolve this dispute,” Reinsch concluded.

About the NFTC

Advancing Global Commerce for Over 90 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.

NFTC Hails Important Changes on Cuba Policy in Omnibus

Posted on March 10, 2009 by dcadmin

Washington, DC – NFTC Vice President for Global Trade Policy Jake Colvin released the statement below on the Cuba provisions contained in the FY2009 omnibus spending bill, which passed the Senate and House and which is expected to be signed by President Obama. Below the statement, you will find a summary of the Cuba-related provisions in the omnibus:

“The changes to Cuba policy contained in the omnibus appropriations bill are small but important. By including these measures in the bill, Congress demonstrated its willingness to ease provisions of the embargo on Cuba for the first time in eight years. By its action, Congress has opened the door to further policy change on Cuba and has charted a course for such changes.”

Cuba provisions in the FY2009 omnibus appropriations bill
Prepared by USA*Engage, www.usaengage.org

The omnibus appropriations bill contains language that would amend the Trade Sanctions Reform Act to authorize travel for commercial sales under a general license, and defund enforcement of 1) the 2005 Bush administration changes to the rules governing “cash in advance” payments and 2) travel to visit family members.

http://www.rules.house.gov/111/LegText/omni/text/divdtext_111_hromni2009_jes.pdf at Page 109:

SEC. 620. Section 910(a) of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7209(a)) is amended to read as follows:

“(a) AUTHORIZATION OF TRAVEL RELATING TO COMMERCIAL SALES OF AGRICULTURAL AND MEDICAL GOODS.-The Secretary of the Treasury shall promulgate regulations under which the travel-related transactions listed in paragraph (c) of section 515.560 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, are authorized by general license for travel to, from, or within Cuba for the marketing and sale of agricultural and medical goods pursuant to the provisions of this title.”

Explanation: Current law permits specific licenses to be issued for “certain export transactions.” The omnibus provision makes explicit the ability to travel to Cuba for “marketing and sale” and allows travel under a general license, by which travelers self-determine their eligibility and may travel to Cuba without seeking individual authorization rather than under a “specific license” which requires an individual to apply for approval from the U.S. Department of Treasury.

SEC. 621. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to administer, implement, or enforce the amendments made to section 515.560 and section 515.561 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, related to travel to visit relatives in Cuba, that were published in the Federal Register on June 16, 2004.

Explanation: This provision does not change current law. It “de-funds,” or prohibits, the U.S. Government from enforcing current law with respect to the above-referenced provision until the spending bill expires. The policy it seeks to address involves changes made by the Bush administration to restrict the ability of Cuban Americans to visit family members in Cuba. The rules published on June 16, 2004 narrowed the definition of family, limited visits to 14 days once every three years, removed the exception to the regulations that allowed additional visits for humanitarian reasons, and require Cuban Americans to apply for a specific license for each visit to Cuba rather than traveling under a general license as was the case prior to June 2004.

SEC. 622. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to administer, implement, or enforce the amendment made to section 515.533 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, that was published in the Federal Register on February 25, 2005.

Explanation: This provision does not change current law. It “de-funds,” or prohibits, the U.S. Government from enforcing current law with respect to the above-referenced provision until the spending bill expires. The policy it seeks to address involves terms of payment governing shipments of U.S. exports to Cuba. The February 25, 2005 amendment altered the terms of “payment of cash in advance.” The current definition “means that payment is received by the seller or the seller’s agent prior to shipment of the goods from the port at which they are loaded.” Prior policy allowed payment before delivering goods to the Cuban purchaser, but after shipment.

About the 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.

NTFC Launches Revamped Web site

Posted on March 9, 2009 by dcadmin

Washington, DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today re-launched its Web site – www.nftc.org – with a new structure, tools and features. The site was redesigned in an effort to streamline NFTC information and resources, and maximize accessibility and value for members, policymakers and others interested in learning more about the association’s initiatives and advocacy efforts.

“The NFTC has been advocating for an open-rules based trading system for 95 years, and while our guiding principles and priorities have not changed, we recognize the value of developing tools that help make the association more accessible,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “The Web site is one of the most important communications tools we have to complement our advocacy efforts. It will be increasingly valuable as we continue to press for passage of the pending free trade agreements, and the development of international tax, visa, sanctions and export controls policies that maximize the competitiveness of U.S. companies and workers.”

The revamped site features a streamlined design, which allows visitors to easily locate up-to-date information about the NFTC’s key policy priorities: Trade Policy, Tax Policy, International Human Resources, Innovation, Visa Policy and Sanctions and Export Controls. The Trade Policy section features the following issues: Bilateral and Regional Trade, WTO Issues, Middle East Free Trade Coalition, Trade Adjustment Assistance, Trade Preference Programs and Climate Change.

The site also allows users to locate news, publications and other resources by issue area. All of the NFTC’s publications on a variety of policy issues can be found easily in the Newsroom section of the site. In addition, site visitors can subscribe to RSS feeds to receive updates on NFTC press releases and events, and links to news articles featuring the NFTC.

For all of these tools and more, visit www.nftc.org.

About the 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.

NFTC Endorses Initiation of Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations

Posted on March 4, 2009 by dcadmin

Calls TPP Potential Building Block Toward Larger Asia-Pacific
Free Trade Area

Washington, DC – In testimony today before the interagency U.S. Trade Policy Staff Committee, National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for Regional Trade Initiatives Chuck Dittrich expressed the association’s strong support for the initiation of negotiations on a U.S.-Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement. As an organization representing nearly 300 member companies that help to drive U.S. economic growth and jobs creation, the NFTC believes the TPP will expand and deepen ties with key trading partners in the Asia-Pacific region – Singapore, Chile, New Zealand, Brunei Darussalam, Australia, Peru and Vietnam.

“We support this focus on the Asia-Pacific region on its commercial merits. This region is key to maintaining and increasing U.S. competitiveness in the world,” said Dittrich. “We believe the strategy of building on an existing P-4 agreement among Chile, New Zealand, Singapore and Brunei and adding willing partners as the terms of the agreement are strengthened is wise and may serve as a model for future regional agreements.”

Dittrich highlighted the potential economic benefits of the agreement for the United States, noting that the Asia-Pacific countries represent the largest export market in the world, accounting for 41 percent of the global population, or the equivalent of 2.7 billion consumers. Further, he pointed out that the United States is the number one trading partner in the region, and the largest or second largest for every major Asian economy.

“As we face a global economic crisis of historic proportion, we endorse the initiation of this major trade liberalizing initiative as a clear statement to those who would use the economic fear now circling the globe as an excuse to erect protectionist barriers that have the potential to further damage U.S. and global economic recovery,” he continued.

In addition, Dittrich noted the importance of ensuring that all trading partners at the negotiating table are committed to the highest possible standards in a number of areas, including tariff elimination, intellectual property rights protection, comprehensive liberalization of trade in services, and securing rights for U.S. investors comparable to those available in the United States, among others.

“The proof of success of the TPP process will be the ability to reach a critical mass under a high standard agreement that will also pull in larger economies in the region. This is a stated goal of not only the United States, but also of the other nations embarking on the negotiation of this new expanded TPP,” said Dittrich. “They share the vision of using the TPP as a potential building block toward a larger Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific, and it is in America’s national interest to be an equal partner in that effort, rather than on the outside looking in.”

“At a time when global pressure is closing markets, it is incumbent on the U.S. to lead and to seek new ways to open markets. The TPP is an innovative and economically significant initiative to do just that, and we wholeheartedly support it,” he concluded.

For a full copy of the testimony, please click here.

NTFC Applauds Cuba Language in Omnibus Bill and Recommendations in Senate Foreign Relations Committee Staff Report

Posted on March 3, 2009 by dcadmin

Washington, DC The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today sent a letter to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Richard Lugar, endorsing language on Cuba currently contained in the omnibus appropriations bill, which would authorize travel for the agriculture community. The NFTC also expressed support for a number of recommendations made in the committee’s Staff Trip report, titled “Changing Cuba Policy In the United States National Interest,” including:

Congressional action to lift all current U.S. travel restrictions;

Diplomatic engagement with Cuba, including the resumption of bilateral talks on drug interdiction and migration;

Reengaging Cuba in international forums, including the Organization of American States;

Easing restrictions to facilitate legal agricultural trade and to allow medical trade consistent with the intent of Congress; and

Easing restrictions to permit trade and investment between Cuba and the United States, including investments in alternative energy and allowing U.S. imports from Cuba.

To read the full letter, please click here or visit www.nftc.org.

NFTC Statement on Administration’s 2009 Trade Policy Agenda

Posted on March 2, 2009 by dcadmin

Washington, DC In response to the release of President Obama’s 2009 trade policy agenda, National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Bill Reinsch today issued the following statement.

“We welcome the agenda so early in the Administration, particularly the indication that the Administration is prepared to move forward on the Panama FTA and develop a path for progress on the other two outstanding agreements with Colombia and Korea.

“We also share the Administration’s support for an ambitious Doha Round agenda, its renewed focus on removing non-tariff barriers to trade, and a commitment to seek new agreements which have significant benefits for American businesses, workers and farmers. We look forward to hearing their plans for achieving the worthy goals that they have set out.

“We appreciate and endorse the emphasis on policies that benefit American workers and help society to deal with the often painful adjustments which are part of the modern global economy. In this regard, like the Administration, we welcome the expansion of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program that was included in the stimulus bill, something the NFTC and other associations fought hard for.

“While we support the laudable social goals articulated in the document, we need to remember that just as trade policy cannot be the solution to all of our domestic economic problems, neither can it solve all the social problems of other nations as we perceive them. Trade agreements are reached by negotiation, which means each side must demonstrate flexibilities in order to reach agreement. We certainly do not expect an administration at this point to reveal where its flexibilities may lie, but would remind policymakers that they will inevitably have to address the priorities and concerns of potential negotiating partners.

“Overall, the United States would benefit from the greater degree of transparency and consultation that the document promises. As an organization that has been actively engaged in consulting with previous administrations for 95 years, we welcome more consultation and transparency. We hope that any new processes created will not ignore the interests and concerns of the millions of Americans whose jobs rely on the export and import of products and services.

“Finally, we welcome the Administration’s emphasis on energy and environment. In particular, we support strong leadership from President Obama in international negotiations involving trade and the environment, including a successful conclusion of an agreement to liberalize trade in environmentally-friendly goods and services. We believe that the success of the Administration’s important environmental and energy objectives will require multilateral negotiation and agreement rather than unilateral action.”

For a full copy of the Administration’s trade policy agenda, visit http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Recent_News/Section_Index.html.

About the NFTC

United Businesses Urge Support of TAA in the Economic Stimulus

Posted on February 11, 2009 by dcadmin

Washington, DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC), in conjunction with other businesses and associations today sent a letter to Congress urging their support for the inclusion of the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2009 in the conference report for H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

To read the full letter, please click here or visit www.nftc.org.

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Advancing Global Commerce for Over 90 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.

NFTC Commends Senate Amendment on Trade Adjustment Assistance Program

Posted on February 5, 2009 by dcadmin

Council Calls Agreement a Good Sign of Progress

Washington, DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today lauded Members of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means for their movement on improving and expanding the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. NFTC believes the Baucus-Grassley amendment modernizing the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program to assist American workers is vital to America’s continued competitiveness and economic recovery.

“NFTC welcomes today’s amendment as a positive step in promoting growth and jobs through trade,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “Today’s action signals progress toward a national trade policy that promotes trade liberalization while addressing the concerns of American workers who worry about losing their jobs.”

Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY), Finance Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) said they will seek to amend the economic recovery bill to help companies and workers impacted by global expansion of the American economy. The amendment, the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Act of 2009, will authorize Trade Adjustment Assistance through 2010 and redesign benefits to be more flexible and accessible.

“This amendment has been carefully crafted to target assistance in a cost effective manner where it is needed most, empowering American workers with the tools and training they need to succeed in the global economy,” said Chuck Dittrich, NFTC Vice President of Regional Trade Initiatives. “This amendment represents the input of Republicans and Democrats in both the House and the Senate to find common ground. We strongly support this milestone in moving back to a bipartisan consensus on trade and competitiveness and urge the full Congress to adopt the measure.”

In 2008 the NFTC and other leading U.S. business community organizations launched a new coalition – the Trade and American Competitiveness Coalition (TAA Competitiveness). The coalition focuses its efforts on urging Congress to act on legislation to enhance and expand the TAA program as well as advocating for various legislative measures that will ensure American workers are well-equipped to compete in the integrated 21st century global economy.

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Advancing Global Commerce for Over 90 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.

NFTC Welcomes Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Principles on Climate Change Legislation

Posted on February 3, 2009 by dcadmin

Washington, DC – In response to the release (Link to: http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Majority.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=240662f6-802a-23ad-4716-3af9a8adb9c7&Designation=Majority) by Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Barbara Boxer of principles for global warming legislation, NFTC Vice President for Global Trade Issues Jake Colvin put out the following statement:

“We applaud the initiative of Senator Boxer and the Committee on one of the most urgent issues of our time. As the Committee’s Principles for Global Warming Legislation suggest, working with the international community will be key to ensuring an effective response to global warming.

“We urge the Obama Administration and Congress to work with our international partners to create viable multilateral frameworks under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and through other forums such as the World Trade Organization, to incentivize reductions in carbon emissions.

“Incentivizing emissions reductions abroad through unilateral legislative measures – especially punitive ones – will be complicated and difficult to achieve at best. At worst, such efforts could interfere with the United States’ international obligations as well as the global competitiveness of U.S. businesses.”

The NFTC in December 2007 released a report, which details WTO-Compatibility of Proposed U.S. Climate Change Legislation. For a complete copy of the report, please click here.

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Advancing Global Commerce for Over 90 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.