Kira Yevtukhova Archives

USCIB Supports Conclusion of “EU-US Privacy Shield”

Published on February 2, 2016

us_eu_flags_3New York, N.Y., February 2, 2016 – The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) commends the tireless and concerted efforts of negotiators from the European Union and the United States for achieving agreement on a new framework governing transatlantic data transfers, the “EU-U.S. Privacy Shield.”

“While providing strengthened privacy protections, this agreement will promote legal certainty and consumer confidence for transatlantic data flows, thereby fostering new projects, investments and provision of services that increase economic and societal benefits,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson.

USCIB supports efforts by all parties involved to finalize and implement the new Privacy Shield in a timely manner. Earlier today, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), of which USCIB is the U.S. affiliate, issued a statement in support of the EU-U.S. privacy shield.

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 our economy, with operations in every region of the world. With a unique global network – encompassing ICC, the International Organization of Employers, and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD – USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. www.uscib.org.

Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, USCIB
+1 212.703.5043, jhuneke@uscib.org

More on USCIB’s ICT Committee

Delay in Country-by-Country Reporting Rules Incites Backlash

Published on January 13, 2016

Bloomberg BNA

“The decision to delay IRS rules implementing country-by-country reporting requirements from the OECD is stoking fears of increased administrative complexity for the upcoming year…The OECD’s language “implies that there ought to be some sort of allowance for a country to get their legislation in order, but it doesn’t explicitly say that,” said Carol Doran Klein, vice president for tax at the U.S. Council for International Business. “It’s confusing, and people would like to have certainty.””

Read the full Bloomberg BNA article.

USCIB Applauds Obama’s Call to Ratify Pacific Trade Pact

Published on January 13, 2016
SOTU_2016
President Obama delivers his final State of the Union address on January 12, 2016.

New York, N.Y., January 12, 2016 – USCIB welcomed President Obama’s call in his State of the Union address for Congress to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, a market-opening trade deal between the United States and eleven Pacific-Rim countries.

“U.S. business remains united behind TPP,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson. “This landmark agreement will enhance American competitiveness, support U.S. jobs, eliminate thousands of tariffs and expand the rule of law in the Asia-Pacific region.”

USCIB voiced support for TPP in a statement last month, saying that after reviewing the agreement’s text and consulting with its broad membership, USCIB believes the agreement “will contribute substantially to economic growth in the United States and the region, cement U.S. global leadership and provide significant new opportunities for U.S. businesses, workers and farmers.”

A central component of the United States’ foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific, TPP would help establish American commercial values in the region, with new standards to promote good governance and transparency.

Robinson continued: “We look forward to working with the administration and Congress on a range of issues raised by the president in his address, especially trade, and we urge legislators to secure TPP’s passage.” He noted that TPP would set new, high standards for future trade agreements.

The U.S. coalition for TPP, of which USCIB is a leading member, issued a statement in support of TPP last week.

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 our economy, with operations in every region of the world. With a unique global network – encompassing ICC, the International Organization of Employers, and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD – USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. www.uscib.org.

Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, USCIB
+1 212.703.5043, jhuneke@uscib.org

More on USCIB’s Trade and Investment Committee

Following Nairobi Ministerial, USCIB Encourages WTO Members to Look to the Future

Published on December 19, 2015

switzerland-wto-general-councilNew York, N.Y., December 19, 2015 – The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) welcomed progress by World Trade Organization members on a number of issues at the WTO ministerial in Nairobi but expressed concerns about the lack of consensus on a post-Nairobi action plan.

The ministerial made progress on agriculture and in other areas, but WTO members remain divided over the path for addressing issues from the Doha Round and new issues of increasing concern to business. USCIB applauded positive developments for business that came out of the ministerial, including agreement on expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), eliminating tariffs on 201 IT products valued at over $1.3 trillion per year, as well as six additional ratifications for the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

“The WTO should look to the future, focusing its resources and energy in pursuit of a practical agenda that addresses 21st-century trade challenges,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson. “USCIB reiterates its support of the multilateral trade agenda and encourages the WTO to continue its engagement on these and other issues of importance to business.”

USCIB strongly supports ratification and implementation of the TFA and is encouraged that 63 countries have now ratified the agreement, which is expected to reduce worldwide trade costs by some 17 percent by streamlining and modernizing customs procedures. In Nairobi, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), working with several other business groups and government agencies, launched a new partnership to support the effective implementation of TFA.

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 our economy, with operations in every region of the world. With a unique global network – encompassing ICC, the International Organization of Employers, and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD – USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. www.uscib.org.

Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, USCIB
+1 212.703.5043, jhuneke@uscib.org

More on USCIB’s Trade and Investment Committee

Does the Paris climate deal sideline business?

Published on December 14, 2015

BBC News

“The US Council for International Business has said it is “disappointing” that the document makes no specific reference to business at all. In the words of Norine Kennedy, its vice-president of strategic international engagement, energy and environmental affairs: “Given how important business will be to delivering so many of the issues in the agreement, it would be appropriate for business to be mentioned.”

Read the full BBC News article.

Human Rights First Summit Explores Solutions to Human Trafficking

Published on December 11, 2015

Human Rights First

“The 2015 Human Rights First Summit, held December 9 at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., featured experts who sought to answer difficult questions on how to combat human trafficking…a diverse panel of experts…moderated by Ariel Meyerstein, Vice President of Labor Affairs at the United States Council for International Business (USCIB)—delved deeper into the issue.”

Read the full Human Rights First article.

COP21: Business Fears Minimal Presence in Final Paris Text

Published on December 11, 2015

Business Green

“Speaking to reporters this morning, Norine Kennedy of the US Council for International Business said while it was good to see the private sector referenced in the decision section of the text, it was disappointing there is no reference to business in the preamble.”

Read the full Business Green article.

USCIB Applauds Agreement on Final Customs Bill, Urges Swift Passage

Published on December 10, 2015

Golden_GateWashington, D.C., December 10, 2015– The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) welcomed yesterday’s announcement that the Customs Conferees have issued a final bipartisan, bicameral, Conference report on the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. We applaud Congressional Leadership and appointed Conferees for moving this vital bill forward. We continue to urge Congress to take prompt action and pass the reconciled Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 before Congress adjourns.

“American business needs this legislation, which is long overdue and sets the United States on a path to remain in the top-tier of nations when it comes to trade facilitation and customs modernization,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson. “We will work to get the bill passed and signed into law as quickly as possible.”

Last week, USCIB was joined by 21 other businesses organizations representing every sector of the American economy in signing a letter to Congressional leadership urging legislators to resolve outstanding issues and pass the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 before Congress adjourned.

“[W]e strongly encourage the passage of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement bill within the 2015 legislative calendar,” the letter stated. “Continued customs modernization is essential to providing U.S. Customs and Border Protection the support it needs to safeguard America’s borders while enhancing economic prosperity, and ensuring stability for American importers and exporters.”

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 our economy, with operations in every region of the world. With a unique global network encompassing leading international business organizations, including ICC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. More at www.uscib.org.

Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, USCIB
+1 212.703.5043, jhuneke@uscib.org

USCIB Historical Highlights: Seven Decades of Global Leadership

Published on December 9, 2015

70yearsIn 2015, USCIB turned 70. Since its founding, USCIB has held fast to the belief that open markets unlock society’s true potential, and that global problems are best resolved through inclusive deliberation at global institutions.

To celebrate its 70 years, USCIB published a timeline of historical highlights from 1945 to the present.

Download USCIB Historical Highlights: Seven Decades of Global Leadership

At High-Level Summit, Business Representatives Urge Ambitious Climate Pact

Published on December 9, 2015
Peter Robinson (USCIB)
Peter Robinson (USCIB)

Paris, December 9, 2015 – Private-sector representatives from around the world have endorsed the conclusion of an ambitious and comprehensive worldwide agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen resilience, while advancing energy access and security in the context of sustainable development.

Meeting today at the headquarters of the French business federation. MEDEF, company executives and business federation officials from more than 20 countries agreed on a joint declaration stating: “Climate change is a common responsibility for all stakeholders, including for businesses in every part of the world, of every sector and every size, large groups and SMEs.”

“We have a common and unified approach to this urgent challenge,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson. “Our message to governments is clear: Business needs the right policy frameworks in order to enable and incentivize the mammoth amounts of investment and innovation that will enable our global society to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. And we require a clear and recognized path to participate in ongoing discussion with the UN and with national governments as we move forward together.”

As the COP21 talks moved into its final crucial stage, the joint business statement laid out a blueprint for an effective global agreement to mobilize broad private-sector action to apply its technological know-how to effectively addressing climate change. An ambitious agreement, it said, must include transparent, fair and comparable national commitments among all parties, effective and transparent monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and the maintenance of open trade and investment regimes worldwide.

Business leaders from major developed and developing countries called on governments to remain engaged with the private sector after COP21, including through an institutionalized channel for private-sector consultation and engagement in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change process.

On Saturday, American business representatives including Robinson appealed governments to establish a mechanism for ongoing, substantive dialogue with the private sector, saying such a mechanism is essential to achieving COP21’s goal of effectively addressing global climate change.

With over twenty years’ experience of direct engagement in the UN climate process, USCIB is representing American business at COP21 in its capacity as the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), which is serving as the umbrella business coordinator in Paris, and as a member of the Business Major Economies Forum (BizMEF), which encompasses national business groups from the leading economies around the world.

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 our economy, with operations in every region of the world. With a unique global network encompassing leading international business organizations, including ICC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. More at www.uscib.org.

Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, USCIB
+1 212.703.5043, jhuneke@uscib.org