Alison Hoiem Archives

USCIB Briefs Members on New Business and Society Initiatives 

Published on April 9, 2019
L-R: Tom Woods (Wilton Park Foundation) and Mike Michener (USCIB)

USCIB held a special briefing on April 8 in Washington, DC with leading members, USCIB staff and the U.S. Department of State focusing on how USCIB is responding to challenges in the multilateral system around business and society.

Over thirty participants attended the briefing, hosted by USCIB member Beveridge and Diamond, including Director of the Office of Economic and Development Affairs from the U.S. Department of State Margy Bond, President of Woods International and Chairman of the Wilton Park USA Foundation Tom Woods and USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson. USCIB members in attendance included representatives from AT&T, Bayer, Cargill, Chevron, DHL Express, KPMG, McDonald’s and PepsiCo, among others.

Bond, who gave a keynote address, noted that USCIB members have been a driving force for constructive business engagement at the United Nations and emphasized that the U.S. government is focused on enhancing private sector involvement at and partnerships with the UN, which will not only help achieve global goals but also help promote growth and create jobs in the United States.

However, as business is expected to step up and provide the investment, innovation and capacity to scale solutions that can solve the world’s largest problems, USCIB members find themselves increasingly in the cross-hairs as anti-business sentiment continues to find traction among policymakers, NGOs and UN entities around the world.

“Our overriding concern is to promote trust and partnership between governments, international organizations and the private sector,” said Robinson. “All too often in recent years, we have seen the public and private sectors set against each other in international forums. We need to move beyond this, so that we can, together, tackle important global challenges like climate change, public health and nutrition, human rights and many others.”

With regards to trust, another value add to this meeting was an overview of the 2019 Edelman Trust Barometer by Edelman Intelligence Managing Director  Kari Butcher. Butcher gave insight into the findings of this year’s report and how business can use the data in the report to move forward on solving today’s societal challenges.

Participants had the opportunity to discuss and learn about three new initiatives launched by the USCIB Foundation to respond to these challenges, as well as opportunities for greater engagement through USCIB. These new initiatives are designed to strengthen the pivotal role business plays in furtherance of the 2030 Agenda with regards to nutrition-related SDGs, inclusive engagement of business in key UN forums, and the private sector’s role as a trusted partner in meeting the challenges facing society.

Norine Kennedy, who leads USCIB’s international strategic engagement and USCIB’s All in Campaign emphasized that, “the private sector brings value to the United Nations system. Its success is our success.”

The initiatives that were presented to members include:

  • Together for Nutrition Principles– a joint project between The USCIB Foundation, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), and the Wilton Park Foundation defining a set of principles for public-private sector engagement to advance the nutrition-related SDGs.
  • All In Campaign– an initiative bringing policymakers and global businesses together in key UN cities to begin a global conversation on opportunities for inclusive engagement with businesses from all industry sectors as essential to meeting the SDG goals and other 2015 outcomes.
  • Business in Society: A Crisis of Trust – a USCIB Foundation project that aims to better understand and influence attitudes and behaviors among policymakers through data, analysis and education to demonstrate that business can be profitable and still be trusted partners in meeting societal challenges.

Moving forward, all of the above will be highlighted in USCIB’s 2nd Annual Geneva Week May 6-10, the first All In Campaign Roundtable scheduled to take place in Geneva during Geneva Week, a planned event on the impact of business SDG partnerships on the margins of the High Level Political Forum in July in New York, as well as additional planned All In Campaign roundtables in cities around the world.  USCIB encourages members to participate and welcomes feedback.

USCIB’s Global Impact: 2017 Update on Advocacy

Published on August 4, 2017

Welcome to USCIB’s Global Impact – an update on USCIB’s advocacy activities around the world in support of your interests. USCIB was at the table, along with many of our members, at key international deliberations– all for the express purpose of ensuring that the voice of U.S. business is heard where policies and regulations affecting your bottom line are determined.

Download Global Impact

At a Glance

USCIB President and CEO Out Front for American Business: USCIB President & CEO, Peter Robinson’s leadership at the B20 and OECD Week.

Keeping Markets Open for U.S. Business: With uncertainty regarding trade agreements due to political developments at home and abroad, one thing remains certain: international markets need to be open for U.S. companies. USCIB was on the ground meeting with officials from the OECD and WTO pressing for strong investment agreements and the removal of trade barriers, all in support of U.S. jobs.

Advocating for a Continued Open and Dynamic Internet: Cross-border trade in digital goods and services has grown 45-fold over the past decade. USCIB was at ICANN and the OECD advocating for policies that do not hamper innovation and that allow the Internet and broader digital economy to realize the tremendous potential to create economic opportunity and address social challenges.

Safeguarding the Role of Business in Environment and Climate Change Policy: An increasing number of multilateral organizations are considering proposals to keep business out of policy deliberations where decisions are being made that impact U.S. business bottom lines. This is particularly prevalent in the UN environmental space. USCIB was on the front lines at UNEP and the UNFCCC pushing back against these efforts as private sector involvement is critical to the success in solving the very problems that these UN agencies seek to address.

Making International Taxation Rules Predictable for Business: New global tax rules have been developed under the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Action Plan. Now, the focus is on BEPS implementation and opportunities to improve tax certainty remain. USCIB met with OECD and other government officials urging them to consider the need for a predictable fiscal environment that will protect and encourage cross-border trade and investment in the context of implementing these BEPS recommendations.

Working to Reduce Trade Barriers: Unnecessary and burdensome barriers to trade can cost companies and national economies billions of dollars. The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which entered into force earlier this year, promises to boost global trade flows by over $1 trillion and generate opportunities for easier, less costly cross-border trade. USCIB crossed the globe pushing for global modernization of customs laws, regulations, processes and day-to-day practices are necessary for efficient supply chains.

Leadership at the ILO and more…
Review USCIB’s engagement at the ILO’s International Labor Conference and the ICC Marketing & Advertising Commission.

Upcoming USCIB Representation around the World to be Covered in the Next Global Impact
APEC SOM 3 Meetings – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; August, 2017

WCO Harmonized System Committee (HSC) Meeting – Brussels, Belgium; November, 2017

APEC CEO Summit – Da Nang, Vietnam; November, 2017

ICC Customs & Trade Facilitation Commission Meeting – Paris, France; November, 2017

UNFCCC COP23 – Bonn, German; November, 2017

WTO Ministerial – Buenos Aires, Argentina; December, 2017

UNEA3 – Nairobi, Kenya; December, 2017

Global Impact – Winter 2016

Published on March 1, 2016

uscib-globalimp-head-resize

USCIB’s Global Impact offers a quarterly update on our advocacy activities around the world in support of our members’ interests. Closing out 2015, USCIB was at the table, along with many of our members, at key international deliberations– all for the express purpose of ensuring that the voice of U.S. business is heard where policies and regulations affecting your bottom line are determined.

Download the Winter 2016 issue of Global Impact.

 

Member Staff News: New Chair for Trade and Investment Committee

Published on September 20, 2012
Rick Johnston
Rick Johnston

Charles R. (Rick) Johnston, director and senior vice president for international government affairs with Citi, is the new chair of USCIB’s Trade and Investment Committee, which coordinates business advocacy among USCIB’s hundreds of member companies, advises the U.S. government on key trade and investment matters, and drives broader international support for open markets.  “We are very excited that Rick Johnston has agreed to lead USCIB’s trade and investment policy work,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter M. Robinson.  “He brings strong leadership and a truly global perspective.”

Anthony Barone
Anthony Barone

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has elevated Anthony Barone, director of global logistics policy at Pfizer, to the chairmanship of its Committee on Customs and Trade Regulations. Having served a year as vice chair, Barone is set to advance the committee’s work program, which focuses on simplifying and harmonizing customs policies and procedures so as to overcome barriers to trade.

 

Stephen Canner
Stephen Canner

At a May reception in Washington, D.C., USCIB members and staff bade farewell and gave a hearty “thank you” to Stephen Canner, who retired after 17 years of service in our Washington office.  Coming to us following a long and distinguished career at the U.S. Treasury, Steve served as USCIB’s vice president for investment and financial services, and more recently as senior advisor. His first-rate track record of advocacy on behalf of U.S. business resulted in a number of important achievements and helped to elevate investment policy to an equal footing with trade policy in terms of its importance to growth, jobs and development. Steve recently completed a term as chair of BIAC’s investment committee, further underscoring his lasting influence on our policy work and that of our affiliates. An accomplished sailor who often treated fellow USCIB staffers to a day out on the Chesapeake, Steve brought good humor and boundless energy – not to mention keen insight – to his work.  We wish him and his wife Sharon much happiness and happy sailing.

New USCIB Members

We are delighted to welcome the following companies and organizations as the latest additions to USCIB’s diverse membership:

Office Depot
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Frankfurt Kurnit Klien & Selz PC
Jackson Lewis LLP
Patton Boggs

To learn more about how USCIB membership can benefit your organization, contact Alison Hoiem (202-682-1291 or ahoiem@uscib.org).

Member and Staff News: USCIB’s Greene Tapped for State Department Advisory Panel

Published on July 15, 2012
Adam Greene
Adam Greene

USCIB Staff News: Adam Greene, USCIB’s vice president for labor and corporate responsibility, has been named to a State Department advisory body on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Joining Adam on the panel is Clifford Henry, associate director of corporate sustainable development with Procter & Gamble and chair of USCIB’s Corporate Responsibility Committee. The OECD Guidelines are voluntary recommendations from governments to multinational enterprises on responsible conduct in such areas as human rights, labor, environment, and corruption. They are the only multilateral, comprehensive code of conduct, endorsed by 43 national governments. The new panel will advise the U.S. National Contact Point, a State Department official who leads the United States work under the Guidelines. For more information, please visit www.state.gov/usncp.

Jason Cox has joined USCIB as a foreign claims examiner for our ATA Carnet department. Jason will issue Carnets along with three other Foreign Claims Examiners. He is a recent graduate from the University of Maryland. Alexandra Akerly is the new executive assistant in the ICC International Court of Arbitration’s North American offices, headquartered at USCIB. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College and worked at the office of Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts.

New USCIB Members

We are delighted to welcome the following companies and organizations as our newest members:

American River International
Apple Inc.
The Clorox Company
Comcast Corporation
Energy Transportation Group, Inc.
Grant Thornton International Ltd.
International Trade Counsellors
Limited Brands, Inc.

To find out how your organization can benefit from joining USCIB, contact Alison Hoiem, manager of member services, at 202-682-1291 or ahoiem@uscib.org.

Join USCIB

Published on April 25, 2012

Why You Should Consider Joining USCIB

People spend their time and money on things they value.  In business, the same holds true – owners and executives want to know, “How will it benefit me and my organization?”  Today, the most critical business risks on a global scale are concentrated in the areas of regulations and compliance.  At USCIB, our reputation as the leader in global regulatory diplomacy for predictable rules and regulations under which business can plan, invest and innovate has made us a “must have” partner for American business interests since 1945. Read more.

Our members shape the agenda.

You’ll be part of a diverse membership drawn from a broad range of industry sectors representing the top ranks of American business and service companies, leading professional service firms as well as national industry associations where you will work with your peers to develop consensus positions on the issues affecting your business interests globally. Because we are multi-sectoral, our consensus position carries more weight with policymakers.

Our voice is strong and effective.

You’ll gain unparalleled access and influence advocating for your priorities with policymakers inside the national and international regulatory agencies and organizations where USCIB is recognized as a credible, non-partisan, pro-trade advocate.  Read more.

Our network is global.

You’ll have a seat at the table where policies that become accepted guidelines for business around the world are debated through USCIB’s affiliation with the world’s three largest business organizations: the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD and the International Organization of Employers.  Read more. 

Our policy staff is exceptional.

USCIB’s policy team in New York and Washington, D.C. provides business-critical information and insight on more than 30 international issue areas to support policy committees, chaired by leading corporate executives. Their ability to monitor developments and act as an early warning system on the regulatory front around the globe is greater than any one company can do on its own.  USCIB members utilize our committee structure and affiliations with the major global business organizations to develop contacts with business and government leaders at home and around the world.  Read more.

Our coverage is worldwide.

You’ll be able to cover the waterfront of forums and events here and abroad on a wide range of issues affecting your business in the areas of energy and environment, human rights and corporate social responsibility, tax, information technologies, trade, investment, financial services, customs, intellectual property, China and APEC that no one company can do on its own  – large or small. Read more.

Our international trade services are unique.

You’ll have access to USCIB’s array of products, tools, solutions and information specifically designed to help make international business endeavors more successful and efficient.  Read more.

Who Should Join?

  • U.S. and foreign corporations with operations in the U.S., law firms, consulting firms, industry associations and chambers of commerce.
  • Sole legal practitioners wishing to take part in ICC arbitration and dispute resolution activities.
  • Chambers of Commerce at the state or local level wishing to access ICC’s World Chambers Federation, a network of more than 10,000 chambers of commerce worldwide.

What are the dues?

Dues are paid annually and are determined using a formula that calculates domestic and international revenues to determine a fair level for each member on an individual basis in consultation with our membership department.  Chambers of Commerce and sole legal practitioners may join for $500 annually.

How can I learn more?

Please contact Alison Hoiem, Director Member Services at ahoiem@uscib.org

Case Study 1: Business and Supply Chain Linkages

Published on March 30, 2012

The Problem

Efforts by government to force companies to monitor all levels of their supply chains are impractical and do not account for social and political injustices.

Business has responded by proactively establishing privatized labor inspection systems to monitor supply chains to ensure compliance with codes of conduct pass but past the first tier (direct suppliers), efforts are impractical.

In Uzbekistan, it is reported that during harvest cotton is picked by minors, a government supported action that forcibly withdraws children from school to work the fields. Despite efforts by business to boycott the purchase of Uzbek cotton on the world market, it remains a purchased commodity by unreputable suppliers.  Once purchased the tainted cotton makes its way into the supply chain of many final products.

 

USCIB Speaks Out

At the United Nations

USCIB worked with its members to collaborate with John Ruggie, UN special representative to ensure that U.S business needs be represented within the adopted “UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights resulting in principles being accepted that recognize governments need to work in conjunction with business to find ways in which to address the complicated challenges facing multinational companies, not to put the burden solely on business community.

At the OECD

When revisions to the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises threatened to change the nature of the guidelines by holding companies accountable for all injustices found within their supply chains, USCIB, working in conjunction with BIAC, successfully advocated for consistency with the UN Principles which reinforce the standard that suppliers are responsible for their own impacts and the burden cannot be transferred.

At the ILO and IOE

USCIB Business efforts to address human rights issues including forced labor, child labor and human trafficking in labor markets provide short term relief when weak governments fail to enforce human rights laws already on the books.  In support of the business community, USCIB through the IOE and ILO have supported cases brought against the Uzbek government with regards to the forced child labor cases occurring annually during harvest season.  The ILO commissioned a group to observe and report on the injustices within the Uzbek labor system.

Join us.

Case Study 2: Uncertainty in International Tax Policy

Published on March 30, 2012

The Problem

Uncertainty in the application of international tax rules can act as a barrier to the expansion of cross-border trade and investment. When the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises were being revised, the chapter on tax contained vague language on “complying with the spirit of the law” that few people had focused on.  USCIB alerted its members to the risks associated with language that created an environment without transparency or certainty which would place companies at the mercy of government’s interpretation of what constituted a violation of the “spirit” without regard to the intention of their legislatures.

 

USCIB Speaks Out

At the OECD

USCIB, working with its tax committee, organized a campaign to raise the issue inside the OECD on the need to revise the language in the tax chapter.  They drafted new language to define the “spirit of the law” and advocated their position directly to the OECD as to why the language must be revised.

At the U.S. Department of State

USCIB brought the U.S. Department of State into the discussion and urged them to stand their ground based on the negative impact the original language could have on U.S. companies.  USCIB continued to coordinate with the OECD and the State Department to press for new language and ensure approval.

 

Outcome

As a direct result of USCIB’s efforts, the final language adopted stated that complying with the “spirit of the law” means discerning and following the intention of the legislature. And that the intention of the legislature is determined based on the statutory language and relevant, contemporaneous legislative history.  This prevents tax authorities from asserting that legitimate tax planning violates the “spirit of the law” and is viewed as a major victory for U.S. companies.

*(The Guidelines are recommendations addressed by governments to multinational enterprises operating in or from adhering countries. They provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business conduct in areas such as employment and industrial relations, human rights, environment, information disclosure, combating bribery, consumer interests, science and technology, competition, and taxation)

Join us.

Join USCIB New Version

Published on March 30, 2012

Why You Should Consider Joining USCIB

The most critical business risks on a global scale are concentrated in the areas of regulations and compliance.   At USCIB, our reputation as a pro-trade, pro-business organization that leads the way in ensuring clear, predictable rules and regulations under which business can plan, invest and innovate has made us a “must have” partner for American business interests since 1945. https://uscib.org/uscib-at-a-glance-ud-2410  (link to USCIB At A Glance)New)

Today, our members are drawn from the top ranks of American business and service companies, smaller firms with significant business overseas, leading professional service firms as well as national industry associations representing a broad range of industry sectors and boasting business operations in nearly every country on earth.( Link from members to  https://uscib.org/board-of-directors-ud-745)

 

They join USCIB for many reasons.

They value our ability to be heard in the halls of Congress and in the Executive branch of the U.S. government where USCIB is respected as an independent and trusted proponent for American business. (Link to DC Update – where is it? )

They need our global platform to have their voice heard at the world’s three largest business organizations where policy is debated that becomes accepted guidelines for business around the world.  They need us because USCIB is the only U.S. business group formally recognized to speak for American business inside those three organizations:  the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD and the International Organization of Employers. https://uscib.org/global-network-ud-700 link to affiliates screen

They use us to monitor and cover the waterfront of forums and events here and abroad on a wide range of issues affecting energy and environment, human rights and corporate social responsibility, tax, information technologies, trade, investment, financial services, customs, intellectual property, China and APEC that no one company can do on its own  – large or small.  And they appreciate our ability to filter vast amounts of critical business intelligence into meaningful action.   https://uscib.org/whats-new-at-uscib-ud-1826 (link to What’s New)

They work with us to leverage their own public affairs and government relations through access to our policy experts and the work done through our committee process where they can bring issues to the table and have consensus positions developed that go on to form the basis for our advocacy.   https://uscib.org/policy-committees-ud-806  link to list of committees)

And they may value our business services such as ATA Carnet, a customs document saving them time and money on temporary exports and imports through our member-bond program. https://uscib.org/ata-carnet-export-service-ud-718 (link to ATA Carnet)

Whatever the reason, USCIB members have access to a broad array of information, access, advocacy and services found nowhere else.

How Can I Join?

USCIB membership is open to corporations, law firms, consulting firms and industry associations.  Once you join USCIB, your company or organization is entitled to take full advantage of our resources and services.  You may assign as many executives as you wish to USCIB committees, working groups and task forces.   Dues are determined using a formula that calculates domestic and international revenues to determine a fair level for each member on an individual basis in consultation with our membership department.

Limited memberships are available for chambers of commerce and sole legal practitioners.  Chambers of Commerce at the state or local level join USCIB to access ICC’s World Chambers Federation, a network of more than 10,000 chambers of commerce worldwide.

Sole legal practitioners wishing to take part in ICC arbitration and dispute resolution activities may join the Sole Practitioners Program.

Annual dues for both categories of membership start at $500 USD.

For more information, please contact Alison Hoiem, Manager Member Services at XXXXXXXXX.

View list of USCIB members

Visit the membership area of our web site to learn more

Membership Testimonials

Published on March 30, 2012

“I want to thank all of you who are active members of USCIB for your commitment to innovation and open markets and the kind of partnership I think we have to bring America back  economically and ultimately socially and politically. “

Former U.S. President William Jefferson Clinton, 2011

“We need to come together and that’s exactly what USCIB is helping us to do – bring stakeholders together to tackle the toughest challenges”

Harold McGraw III, Chairman Emeritus, McGraw-Hill Financial; Chair, USCIB

“USCIB has a very strong global presence.  It’s a very strong voice for business and that global platform is going to drive the changes we need. That’s where business, public and private, meet and USCIB is right at the center”.

Mikael Hagstrom, EVP, EMA and Asia Pacific, SAS Institute; Member, USCIB Executive Board

“One challenge we face is delivering seamless service to our clients all over the world, mostly on the regulatory front.  USCIB is The premiere organization dealing with regulatory problems around the world, particuarly through its affiliates. It’s an international platform where we can get together with companies that have similar issues and address them collectively with governments around the world. There’s nothing else like it!

Charles P. Heeter, Managing Principal, Global Public Policy, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu; Member, USCIB, Executive Board; Chair, BIAC

“USCIB gives us entrée to places where guidance is being developed on related to how new technologies and new business models are going to be treated as well as an ability to talk to the people who are policymakers in this space so we can build coalitions and consensus with industry and also across multi-stakeholder communities including academia and civil society”.

Joseph Alhadeff, VP and Chief Privacy Strategist, Oracle Corporation; Member, USCIB Executive Board; Vice-Chair, USCIB ICT Committee.

“The U.S. can embrace the realities of the global economy and seize its opportunities. Or we can resist it.  That’s not a choice. That is why the work of USCIB continues to be so vitally important.  Because the issues you promote, the global advocacy you undertake, all centers around the same basic tenet: that the United States can thrive in the era of globalization”.

Andrew N. Liveris, Chair & CEO, The Dow Chemical Company; Member and Recipient, 2011 USCIB International Leadership Award

Join us.