Growth, Jobs and Open Markets Archives

USCIB Leads Discussion on Responsible Business Conduct at International Human Rights Conference

Published on April 24, 2024
Ewa Staworzynska at International Human Rights Conference

140 companies gathered this week for the annual International Human Rights Conference hosted by the International Organization of Employers (IOE), DHL Group, and the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA) in Bonn, Germany. USCIB Director for Corporate Responsibility Ewa Staworzynska led the discussion on April 24 in her capacity as chair of the IOE Policy Working Group on Business and Human Rights (BHR) and Responsible Business Conduct (RBC).

Staworzynska underscored that the regulations risk causing unintended consequences, such as divestment from developing countries, and may cause potential contradiction with the widely supported UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

“It is clear that companies are facing increased pressure on RBC and it is important that the business community, together with policymakers, discuss the practical implications of such regulation,” said Staworzynska.

L-R: Ewa Staworzynska (USCIB), Renate Hornung-Draus (BDA), and Amb. Abiodun Richards Adejola (Nigeria)

USCIB led the discussion on the extraterritorial impact of recent and forthcoming EU regulations pertaining to RBC. Perspectives were shared from both EU and non-EU countries. Panelists included the Minister of Employment and Social Protection of Côté D’Ivoire and Vice Chair of the Alliance 8.7 Adama Kamara, the UN Permanent Representative of Nigeria and Chair of the ILO Governing Body Ambassador Abiodun Richards Adejola, Managing Director at BDA and Employer Vice Chair at the International Labor Organization (ILO) Renate Hornung-Draus, Vice President and Member of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala, and Member of the European Parliament Axel Voss.

Saudia Arabia and Philippines to Accept ATA Carnets (“Passport for Goods”) This Summer

Published on April 24, 2024

New York, NY, April 24, 2024—The United States Council for International Business (USCIB), the national guaranteeing and issuing association for the ATA Carnet in the United States, has announced that both the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia and the Republic of the Philippines have joined the ATA Carnet system. These countries join a growing list of over 80 countries and customs territories that process the ATA Carnet.

ATA Carnets are critical tools of trade facilitation and export promotion. The ATA Carnet is an international customs document that allows duty- and tax-free temporary admission of goods for up to one year.

ATA Carnet operations in Saudia Arabia will begin on June 1, 2024 and include Carnets for use at exhibitions, fairs, meetings, and similar events.

The Philippines will begin accepting Carnets on July 15, 2024. The scope of Carnet acceptance will include exhibitions, fairs, meetings, professional equipment, and commercial samples.

“USCIB is delighted that Saudia Arabia and the Philippines will be joining the ATA Carnet System this summer,” said USCIB Chief Operating Officer Declan Daly. “The Middle East and Southeast Asia are significant markets for USCIB members and we look forward to working with our counterparts—the Federation of Saudi Chambers and the Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry—to expand trade in these regions.”

The global ATA Carnet system is overseen and managed by the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce World Chambers Federation (ICC-WCF). USCIB administers the ATA System in the United States.

About USCIB

USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include U.S. based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of the economy, with operations in every region of the world, generating $5 trillion in annual revenues and employing over 11 million workers worldwide. As the U.S. affiliate to several leading international business organizations, including the ICC, IOE, and Business at OECD, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade and development.

USCIB is also the National Guaranteeing and Issuing Association for ATA Carnets in the United States, having been appointed as such by the Department of Treasury, now U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in 1969. More at  www.uscib.org.

The USCIB Foundation and Business at OECD Hold Preview Event in Paris on Metaverse Project

Published on April 17, 2024

On the sidelines of the biannual OECD Digital Policy Committee Meeting in Paris, Business at OECD (BIAC) and The USCIB Foundation’s metaverse project team hosted a successful report preview event on April 5. OECD delegates and secretariat, as well as various companies, including USCIB members, attended the preview event. Following the event, BIAC and The USCIB Foundation will launch the report in Washington, DC and organize a webinar with relevant experts to present findings in the report.

The roundtable featured remarks from Business at OECD Deputy Executive Director Nicole Primmer, a presentation of the project and preview of the project report findings from Paula Bruening (Casentino Strategies), and comments from the OECD Secretariat, including OECD Global Forum on Technology Lead Elizabeth Thomas Raynaud and OECD Economist/Policy Analyst on Privacy and Data Governance Christian Reimsbach- Kounatze.

According to USCIB Program and Policy Associate on Digital Issues, Nan Schechter, who attended the event, companies are actively exploring the possibilities of the metaverse, as well as trying to understand the novel privacy risks it may raise and how those risks might be addressed.

“BIAC and The USCIB Foundation undertook this project to explore the privacy issues raised by the metaverse and to develop business-oriented evidence regarding the of the OECD Privacy Guidelines’ applicability in this emerging environment, keeping in mind their two-part objective of protecting privacy and fostering cross border data flows,” said Schechter.  “USCIB is thrilled at the exciting potential and relevance of the report as it emphasizes multistakeholder privacy solutions and the increasing importance to data governance in the metaverse.”

 

USCIB Participates in the First Meeting of the OECD Working Party on Countering Illicit Trade

Published on April 17, 2024
Business at OECD (BIAC) delegation to the OECD

The first Meeting of the Working Party on Countering Illicit (WP-CIT) Trade took place April 4-5 at OECD headquarters in Paris.

USCIB Anti-Illicit Trade Committee (AITC) Chair David Luna (Luna Global Networks), USCIB Senior Director of Customs and Trade Facilitation Megan Giblin, and several USCIB members participated as part of the Business at OECD (BIAC) Anti-Illicit Trade Expert Group delegation to WP-CIT. This inaugural meeting was a milestone of the OECD work on countering illicit trade since the WP-CIT was elevated within the organization due to its move from the Governance Directorate (GOV) to the Trade and Agriculture Directorate (TAD) at the OECD.

During the meetings, Luna delivered remarks as Chair of BIAC Anti-Illicit Trade Expert Group (AITEG). USCIB member representatives Susan Wilson (Intel), Monica Ramirez (ABinBEV), and Jennifer Lane (Amazon) also provided topic specific remarks on Third Party Litigation Funding (TPLF), trade in illicit alcohol, and existing best practices in the e-commerce space to fight counterfeits and illicit goods, respectively. The USCIB delegation participated actively and joined broader panels on these and other topics.

USCIB’s AITC was established in 2018 to support the work of BIAC and the OECD WP-CIT in this space.

“It was an honor and a privilege to participate in this milestone event of the WP-CIT,” said Giblin.  “The BIAC–OECD public private partnership is an issue of critical interest to BIAC, USCIB, and other BIAC national federations. We look forward to continuing our engagement and collaboration coming out of these recent WP meetings and discussions as we move into 2025, as well as supporting the newly established WP-CIT forum and related work program.”

Giblin also noted there was robust dialogue on TPLF and countering illicit trade across online marketplaces, building on the earlier good work of the informal expert group supported strongly by both BIAC and USCIB. For Giblin, it was a very positive development to learn about the progress related to the OECD Recommendations on enhancing Transparency in Free Trade Zones (FTZ), specifically the commencement of the related FTZ Certification Scheme. This is an important topic for BIAC and USCIB, but also the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), which works in collaboration with BIAC on this workstream at the OECD.

As stated by Piotr Stryszowski, senior economist at the OECD, there was a great collaborative spirit in the debate with the business community showing their strong endorsement in the work of the WP-CIT (along with an intervention by John W.H. Denton, ICC Secretary General, supporting the OECD’s Free Trade Zones Recommendation).

USCIB is both the US National Committee of ICC and the US National Federation of BIAC.

Clark Contributes to US-EU Trade and Technology Council Meeting, Urges Stronger Trade Focus

Published on April 9, 2024
Alice Slayton Clark at the TTC in Leuven, Belgium

USCIB Senior Vice President Alice Slayton Clark was on the ground in Leuven, Belgium the week of April 1 for the sixth, and potentially final, US-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting. Following intergovernmental and stakeholder discussions, Ministers issued a joint statement on AI, 6G, emerging technology, semiconductors, online platforms, and upskilling, among others.

USCIB was one of few industry representatives at the stakeholder events because of its position as a principal on the Trade and Labor Dialogue (TALD), where select social partners discuss the intersection of transatlantic trade and labor concerns. “We advised on the future of the TALD as a useful mechanism for bringing social partners together to discuss common concerns, but underscored the importance of more robust stakeholder engagement in the TTC writ large and a stronger trade focus,” states Clark.

Much of the discussion surrounding the TTC focused on how to preserve the dialogue between the US and EU given the importance of building strong supply chains and closer collaboration on emerging policy questions and existing irritants. With uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the 2024 elections, policymakers are looking at ways to institutionalize TTC workstreams so they can endure a change in Administrations. According to Clark, this is significant given ongoing geostrategic challenges and the TTC’s success in aligning US and EU economic and national security policies vis-à-vis Russia and China.

Customs and Trade Facilitation

Published on April 9, 2024

Trends and Challenges in Customs:

  • Unnecessary and burdensome barriers to trade can cost companies and national economies billions of dollars.
  • Global convergence and modernization of customs practices are necessary for efficient supply chains.
  • Trade facilitation and robust implementation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) are critical to members of the trade. The TFA promises to streamline customs processes and procedures, provide increased transparency, predictability, and speed the movement of goods across borders around the world.

 

USCIB Meets With WCO Secretary-General Elect Ian Saunders (2023)

USCIB is committed to pursuing a broad trade and customs agenda in 2023. The USCIB Customs and Trade Facilitation Committee (CTFC) promotes elimination of trade barriers and harmonization of global customs and border procedures and focuses on supporting the expedited cost-effective movement of goods across borders in full compliance with import requirements.

USCIB Staff and Members at the 2024 Trade Facilitation and Cargo Security Summit in Philadelphia

Current Priorities:

(alphabetical)

  • Classification, valuation, origin: at the domestic and international level (WTO and WCO, as applicable) ensuring industry engagement and issue resolution
  • CTPAT/Trusted Trader, Minimum Security Criteria (MSC), Mutual Recognition, and WCO Safe Framework
  • Customs and TF Provisions of U.S. Free Trade Agreements, securing a better outcome for customs and TF provisions as well as ensuring compliance
  • Customs Modernization, guidance and direction on 21st Century Customs environment
  • Digitalization including a focus on Customs Data – Confidential Business Information, Data Protection, Data Sharing and Interoperability of Single Windows, protecting CBI and ensuring necessary protections are in place
  • E-Commerce in the Customs space, focused on the cross-border movement of physical goods acquired via any online means (e.g., WCO E-Commerce FoS)
  • Expedited and full implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement
  • Forced labor: (Section 307, UFLPA, etc.), guidance and direction
  • Green Customs, providing a thoughtful prioritization in the customs space

USCIB’s Response:

  • Provide thoughtful and focused U.S. domestic and international recommendations on Customs and Trade Facilitation matters including, but not limited to, customs modernization, forced labor, digitalization and confidential business information (CBI) protections,  customs classification, and customs valuation. Represent ICC as authorized representatives to the  WCO Harmonized System Committee (HSC) and Review Subcommittee (RSC) meetings.
  • Advocate for our members in efforts to secure the global classification of products at WCO.
  • Advocate for full (robust) and expedited l implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
  • Work in collaboration with U.S. agencies on customs and TF matters before the WTO, including (USG) on humanitarian cargo /shipments at the WTO Committee on TF, and matters before the Committee on Customs Valuation.
  • Advance thoughtful consensus, member-supported, comments which often take into consideration potential implementation issues and/or unintended consequences on such key issues as Customs matters in the crisis environments (e.g., COVID, natural disasters, etc) , Customs and Trade Facilitation provisions in FTAs, forced labor, domestic and international e-commerce efforts in the customs space related to physical goods movement (e.g., WCO Framework of Standards).
  • Advocate for business on issues such as customs modernization,  customs classification and valuation, forced labor, green customs, non-application of customs formalities to electronic transmissions, and more. Leverage participation in government advisory groups (e.g., ITAC13– Customs and Trade Facilitation, COAC 21 CCF Task Force) to raise member issues of interest and member consensus inputs on Committee priority topics.
  • Meet with U.S. government officials at the key agencies of  Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Department of Treasury, and Department of State to ensure that U.S. business interests are well reflected in U.S. government positions.
  • Promote the reduction of trade barriers and transaction costs at the border, as well as in customs control practices and advocates for the harmonization of global customs procedures by leveraging various fora and government agencies

Magnifying Your Voice with USCIB:

  • USCIB is the only U.S. business association formally affiliated with the world’s three largest business organizations where we work with business leaders across the globe to extend our reach to influence policymakers in key international markets to American business
  • Build consensus with like-minded industry peers and participate in off-the-record briefings with policymakers both home and abroad.

USCIB on LinkedIn

Chair

Michelle Welsh
Senior Counsel
Global Trade Compliance Legal
Google, Inc.

Staff

Megan Giblin
Director
Customs & Trade Facilitation
202-371-9235 or mgiblin@uscib.org

Staff

Ashley Harrington
Policy & Program Assistant, Washington
202-682-5861 or aharrington@uscib.org

 

USCIB Submits Comments to UN Advisory Body on AI 

Published on April 2, 2024

USCIB has submitted a response to the United Nations Secretary General’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisory Board and its Interim Report: Governing AI for Humanity. This UN report calls for a closer alignment between international norms and how AI is developed and rolled out. The report also proposes to strengthen international governance of AI to reach the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals SDGs.  

USCIB’s response to the report emphasizes the need for a risk-based approach to address any potential negative impacts of AI. USCIB also highlights the potential of AI to address economic and societal inequalities that help realize the SDGs.  

“Many AI innovations have demonstrated great promise to enable economic development,” said USCIB Digital Policy Committee Chair JoAnn Stonier (Mastercard), “We appreciate that the report describes the essential opportunities that may be seized to achieve the SDGs, as well as some of the potential risks that must be addressed to realize these goals.  To ensure this developing science achieves maximum societal benefit, we will continue to look forward to providing commentary and input as the process evolves.”  

According to USCIB, a risk-based approach involves impact assessments of AI technology in the context of specific uses, applications, and scaled deployments, rather than the risk of the technology in the abstract. 

USCIB also cited the EU AI Act, the OECD’s AI Principles, and the US NIST AI Risk Management Framework (RMF) as having risk-based approaches. Importantly, this approach should be applied to both developers and deployers of AI systems while acknowledging that each group has different and distinct roles and responsibilities in AI governance. 

To view USCIB’s response to the UN Advisory Body on AI, please click here. 

Director International Tax Policy and Banking

Published on March 15, 2024

Position: Director International Tax Policy and Banking
Organization: United States Council for International Business
Reports to: Vice President & International Tax Counsel
Location: Washington D.C.

THE OPPORTUNITY – About USCIB

Founded in 1945, USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development, and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence.  Its focus is on international policy in the multilateral system, and its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector, with operations in every region of the world. As the sole American representative of the International Chamber of Commerce, the International Organization of Employers and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD, USCIB provides business views to the Administration and to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade and investment. In addition, USCIB serves as the National Guaranteeing Association for ATA Carnets, which allows temporary, tax and duty-free imports overseas for trade shows, commercial samples and professional equipment. More at www.uscib.org

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director International Tax Policy and Banking will support the Vice President & International Tax Counsel on a variety of programs and projects involving the development and dissemination of USCIB tax policy positions, papers and meeting preparation and materials. The Director will support USCIB member engagement and development for the organization’s Tax committee and have the possibility to lead in defined international tax policy areas with the potential to expand responsibilities in the course of the role.  The Director will also oversee and manage the Banking Committee.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead policy expert and work product drafter on U.S. Congress, U.N., single country and developing countries portfolios. Support VP on OECD and U.S. government, and European (member state and European commission) tax policy portfolios.
  • Prepare and participate in internal USCIB planning meetings, webinars, Tax Committee meetings and events, and the annual OECD international tax conference.
  • Work with the Tax Committee leadership team and member companies to understand their tax policy needs and develop policy positions that support their interests.
  • Monitor and analyze tax policies and legislation in respective portfolios.
  • Conduct research and analysis to identify emerging tax policy issues and opportunities for advocacy.
  • Oversee and manage USCIB Banking Committee, working with committee leadership to engage with ICC Banking Commission and related partner organizations.
  • Support Banking Committee member priorities, including those regarding digitization of trade finance and promoting standardization of international banking and commercial practices.
  • Represent USCIB before government officials, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders to promote our members’ interests and the growth of international business.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, business leaders, and advocacy groups.
  • Assist the membership department in new member and retention efforts by identifying potential new members, setting goals for annual recruitment, and nurturing relationships with existing members.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

  • Advanced degree (e.g., JD) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • 10 years of experience in international tax and/or international tax policy in the public and/or private sector, U.S. Congress, U.S. government, Big Four accounting or law firm or other advocacy organization. Demonstrated knowledge of global frameworks and institutions that influence the development of international tax policy. Some banking regulatory experience required.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple projects against tight deadlines as well as work collaboratively in team settings.
  • Superior time-management skills with respect to setting priorities and managing multiple workflows against tight deadlines.
  • Strong written communication and advocacy skills.
  • International work experience and foreign language skills preferred.
  • Some international travel required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary and title are commensurate with qualifications and experience. The salary range for this role is between $150,000 and $175,000 per year. USCIB offers a highly competitive compensation package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k)-retirement company matching program, generous paid time off, and the ability to participate in pre-tax transportation/commuter benefit and flexible spending account programs.

USCIB currently requires in-office work Tuesday – Thursday, with WFH option on Mondays and Fridays.

Apply Now

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your understanding.

USCIB Hosts ICC ATA Carnet Administrative Committee Meeting 

Published on March 13, 2024

Last week, USCIB hosted the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Chambers Federation (WCF) ATA Carnet Administrative Committee (ATAC) in New York.

Chaired by USCIB Chief Operating Officer Declan Daly and Henk Wit (Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK), the discussions revolved around important topics such as the 2024 ATA Carnet work plan, preparation for the global transition of e-ATA (digital ATA Carnet), ATAC composition, global issuing and claims statistics, new members’ accession, and ATA Carnet administration.  

This biannual meeting gathered participants from 13 national guaranteeing associations. 

“USCIB was delighted to host this year’s spring ATAC meeting at USCIB’s NY office, particularly since it has been nearly a decade since we held a U.S.-based meeting,” said Daly. “I look forward to this year’s work plan and the exciting milestones we have already achieved this year, namely the first ever test processing of a digital ATA Carnet last month at JFK.” 

Last month, USCIB helped coordinate a highly successful U.S. digital ATA Carnet (e-ATA) test processing at John F. Kennedy Airport in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Roanoke Insurance Group Inc. and Rock-it Cargo. This first e-ATA test in the United States was done in conjunction with the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) and UK Customs (HMRC), which processed the e-ATA for import at London’s Heathrow airport. 

The 13th WTO Ministerial Conference Falls Short But Delivers Some Wins for Industry

Published on March 5, 2024

Renewal of e-commerce moratorium and intellectual property rights secured

New York, N.Y., March 04, 2024—The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) welcomes outcomes from the WTO 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi on two key objectives for U.S. industry: a two-year extension of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions and a rejection of efforts to waive intellectual property protections for COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics.

“If the moratorium had expired it would have been an historic setback, representing an unprecedented termination of a multilateral agreement that has allowed the digital economy to take root and grow over the past 25 years,” said President and CEO Whitney Baird who represented USCIB at the ministerial last week. “USCIB is similarly pleased that the WTO failed to extend a TRIPS waiver to diagnostics and therapeutics, a move that would have undermined innovative industries, global health security and international rule of law.”

Another positive outcome, according to Baird, 72 nations officially adopted the Joint Statement Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation, simplifying rules for over 90 percent of the world’s trade in services. USCIB joined the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), for which it serves as the U.S. national committee, in welcoming the move. The agreement text had been concluded in December 2021. USCIB also hails progress at the WTO mapping out linkages and exploring best practices in consultation with industry on trade related aspects of circularity, climate, plastics and other policies aimed at advancing sustainability goals.

The outcomes in Abu Dhabi were mixed, however. USCIB is disappointed that MC13 failed to deliver agreements on agriculture, dispute settlement and fisheries, adding uncertainty to a multilateral trading system already under intense strain. “USCIB looks forward to working with the WTO to deliver outcomes in these sectors favorable to U.S. industry,” said Baird. “As the cornerstone for open, fair and reliable global trade, the WTO is too important to industry to fail.”

USCIB was on the ground in Abu Dhabi with a strong showing of member companies and the ICC, promoting robust digital and innovation safeguards, U.S. leadership on disciplines for sustainable trade, and enhanced roles for plurilateral negotiations and stakeholder engagement at the WTO.

About USCIB
USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence.  Its members include U.S. based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of the economy, with operations in every region of the world, generating $5 trillion in annual revenues and employing over 11 million workers worldwide. As the U.S. affiliate to several leading international business organizations, including the ICC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade and development. More at  www.uscib.org.