Kira Yevtukhova Archives

Business Urges APEC to Take Concrete Steps to Expedite Trade

Published on October 2, 2013

4607_image002New York, N.Y., October 2, 2013 – As leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies get set to meet in Bali, Indonesia, a key pro-trade business group urged a number of concrete steps to free up trade and facilitate business in this fast-growing region.

The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) issued a comprehensive paper with priority issues and recommendations for APEC in 2014, when the group’s rotating host duties pass to China.

“APEC’s importance for U.S. and global business is growing,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson, who will be part of the business delegation to the Bali summit, which takes place October 5 to 7. “We are recommending a number of steps leaders can take to help ensure the region remains a center for growth and innovation.”

USCIB said several current or prospective APEC projects offer special promise to smooth trade relations among the economies. These include:

  • the APEC Chemical Dialogue, which USCIB called a useful and important forum to address issues relating to chemicals management
  • discussion of long-term climate change adaptation planning, where USCIB is seeking to inject private-sector know-how
  • launch of the Virtual Customs Business Dialogue, which will look at reducing technical and administrative barriers to trade, during China’s host year

The business group is also urging APEC’s 21 member economies to undertake new work to address localization barriers to trade, and to work toward the elimination of barriers to trade in digital services and products. The USCIB paper, which is issued annually, covers more than 20 separate issue areas. USCIB said its member companies would be closely engaged throughout China’s host year.

Robinson said the business community would push for progress on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) when trade ministers from the 12 TPP parties meet on the sidelines of the Bali summit. “We want a strong, comprehensive TPP agreement, with no carve-outs of issues or sectors, and which includes key provisions on forced localization and dispute settlement,” he stated.

Looking at the global trading system, Robinson said business would also encourage APEC members to work together in the World Trade Organization (WTO) to open global markets to trade, especially through a potential trade facilitation agreement that will be on the table at the WTO’s own Bali ministerial in December.

 

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, 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

UN and Business Must Make Common Cause in Post-2015 Agenda UN Official Declares

Published on September 19, 2013
UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson
UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson

The business community and the United Nations must rediscover their sense of shared purpose and “reconnect in building a world where international peace and prosperity reinforce each other,” according to UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson.

Eliasson spoke at last night’s USCIB’s International Leadership Award Dinner. His remarks came as USCIB and its allied business groups seek to provide business input into the development of the UN’s post-2015 development agenda, which aims to expand upon the Millennium Development Goals agreed in 2000.

The gala dinner, held at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, honored Fred Smith, chairman and CEO of FedEx Corp., who received USCIB’s top award before an audience of several hundred USCIB members, diplomats and business representatives from around the world.

“There is more than just an overlap between United Nations development goals and private sector interests,” Eliasson stated. “We share common ground. If we can get, during the next two years, an acceleration of reaching these goals, then we will create the political momentum to move ahead and address sustainability, poverty and the rule of law.”

USCIB Chairman Terry McGraw (president, chairman and CEO of McGraw Hill Financial) urged business and the UN to work together to map out an ambitious – and achievable – post-2015 development agenda. “This represents a historic opportunity to forge a global consensus in support of public-private activities to lead growth and create a more robust, inclusive world economy,” he said.

McGraw said business will seek to promote several fundamental objectives in the context of the post-2015 agenda. These include setting goals that are achievable in every country, putting a focus on improving national governance, implementing sound macro-economic and fiscal policies, establishing effective national institutions, and providing adequate incentives for business to contribute.

L-R: The UN’s Eliasson, FedEx CEO Fred Smith, USCIB Chairman Terry McGraw, USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson
L-R: The UN’s Eliasson, FedEx CEO Fred Smith, USCIB Chairman Terry McGraw, USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson

Well deserved accolades for FedEx’s Smith

FedEx’s Smith accepted USCIB’s International Leadership Award on behalf of his company’s employees around the world. “Let me commend USCIB for the important work you are doing,” he said. “I think all of us in this room believe in the power of access, of connecting people, of ideas. Improving people’s lives through global growth has been an important and valuable mission. We are shoulder-to-shoulder with you in this important work.”

Smith is the 32nd individual to receive the USCIB award, which was presented most recently to Andrew Liveris of Dow Chemical. The award recognizes efforts to expand world trade and investment, and to improve the competitive environment for American business globally.

Smith founded FedEx Corp. in 1973, and it has grown into a $44-billion global transportation, business services and logistics company. McGraw praised him for his vision and leadership. “Fred Smith has been an active proponent of regulatory reform, free trade and open skies agreements for aviation around the world,” said McGraw. “Most recently, he has advocated for vehicle energy-efficiency standards and a national energy policy. FedEx is consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers and inspires its employees to remain absolutely, positively focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities.”

USCIB’s global network turns out

Among those attending this year’s event were members of the executive board of the International Chamber of Commerce, the world business organization for which USCIB serves as the American national committee, as well as the heads of ICC chapters from around the world. The secretaries general of each of USCIB’s affiliated global business groups – ICC, the International Organization of Employers, and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD – also attended the gala.

The dinner marked a starting point for a series of events organized by USCIB, ICC and other business-related groups to focus industry attention on the development of the UN’s post-2015 development agenda. Among the highlights will be USCIB-organized “door-knock” consultations on October 26 for USCIB members with key government delegations and the UN secretariat.

That same day, USCIB will convene a Green Economies Dialogue luncheon roundtable on economic and green growth considerations of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Speakers at the roundtable will include representatives from academia, important governments and the UN to consider policy options that work within the global marketplace.

Staff contact: Jonathan Huneke

More on USCIB’s International Leadership Award Dinner

Fedex website

FedEx Chief Fred Smith to Be Honored at USCIB Award Gala

Published on September 12, 2013
Fred Smith
Fred Smith

New York, N.Y., September 12, 2013 – Fred Smith, chairman and CEO, FedEx Corp., will receive the top award from the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), a pro-trade group representing America’s leading global companies. Smith will be honored at a September 18 gala dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York.

As the United Nations General Assembly gets set to convene next week, UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson is among the many international dignitaries attending the event and will provide keynote remarks.

“Fred Smith is a leader who has demonstrated over many years a strong commitment to innovation, open markets and a positive role for business in society,” said USCIB Chairman Terry McGraw, president, chairman and CEO of McGraw Hill Financial. “He exemplifies the very best of USCIB’s core values.”

Smith will be the 32nd individual to receive USCIB’s International Leadership Award, presented most recently to Andrew Liveris
of Dow Chemical. The annual USCIB award gala draws hundreds of business leaders and dignitaries from government and diplomatic circles.

Among those attending this year’s event will be members of the executive board of the International Chamber of Commerce, the world business organization for which USCIB serves as the American national committee, as well as the heads of ICC chapters from around the world. The secretaries general of each of USCIB’s affiliated global business groups – ICC, the International Organization of Employers, and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD – will also be in attendance. More information on the event is available at www.uscibgala.com.

Smith founded FedEx Corp. in 1973, and it has grown into a $44-billion global transportation, business services and logistics company. Smith has been an active proponent of regulatory reform, free trade and open-skies agreements around the world. Most recently, he has advocated for vehicle energy-efficiency standards and a national energy policy.

FedEx has continued to strengthen its industry leadership over the past 40 years. It is consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers and inspires its employees to remain absolutely, positively focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. More information is available at www.fedex.com.

USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include top U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms. With a unique global network encompassing leading international business and employers groups, 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, VP Communications, USCIB
(212) 703-5043 or jhuneke@uscib.org

More on USCIB’s International Leadership Award Dinner

Fedex website

USCIB Tweeters Take Flight

Published on August 20, 2013

4576_image001A growing number of USCIB policy experts are posting regularly on the popular social media network Twitter, sharing their insights on important issues and underscoring USCIB’s key role in global business policy. These talented individuals are complemented by a number of special USCIB projects. Follow them today!

Recent USCIB members of the “twitterati” include:

  • Justine Badimon, director of regional initiatives (@USCIB_badimon)
  • Nasim Deylami, director of customs and trade facilitation (@USCIB_deylami)
  • Adam Greene, vice president of corporate responsibility, labor and corporate governance (@uscib_greene)
  • Norine Kennedy, vice president of strategic international engagement, environment and energy (@USCIBKennedy)
  • Helen Medina, senior director of life sciences (@USCIB_medina)
  • Barbara Wanner, vice president of ICT policy (@BarbaraPWanner)
  • Green Economies Dialogue, which promotes a productive approach to greener growth (@greendialogue)
  • Global Supply Networks, news related to USCIB’s benchmark report, American Companies and Global Supply Networks: Driving U.S. Economic Growth and Jobs by Connecting With the World (@GlobalSupplyN).

USCIB maintains a corporate Twitter feed at @USCIB. Other longstanding feeds include @USCIBTradeSvcs (our Trade Services Department), @UnlockCustoms (USCIB’s ATA Carnet service), @USCIBTradeBooks (USCIB International Bookstore) and @huneke (Jonathan Huneke, vice president for communications and public affairs).

Each of the components of USCIB’s global network – ICC, IOE and BIAC – are also active on Twitter and other social media.

Staff contact: Jonathan Huneke

USCIB on Social Media

 

Global Economic Outlook Dims While US Recovery Continues

Published on August 14, 2013

4575_image002The world economy has weakened slightly this quarter, mainly due to declining optimism in Asia and Latin America, while North America shows signs of continuing recovery, according to a World Economic Survey published today by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Munich-based economic research institute Ifo.

Carried out in partnership with ICC, the latest Ifo World Economic Survey of more than 1,000 economists in 123 countries shows some decline in both the current global economic situation and the six-month economic outlook. The poll’s climate indicator dropped to 94.1 for the third quarter of 2013, back down to early 2013 levels, despite a rise to 96.8 in the second quarter.

 “We’re encouraged by the climate of economic recovery in the U.S., and some stabilization in Europe,” said ICC Secretary General Jean-Guy Carrier. “However, with many economies still struggling, governments need to do more to restore investor confidence. ICC urges G20 leaders to take strong measures to address this uncertainty at the upcoming G20 Summit in Saint Petersburg and send a signal to markets encouraging investment. Greater trade flows and investment could provide a debt-free and much needed boost to job creation.”

ICC has also been urging members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to reach a final agreement on trade facilitation, which could result in GDP increases of approximately US $960 billion and create over 18 million jobs worldwide, according to a study by the Peterson Institute.

Click here to read more on ICC’s website.

Staff contact: Jonathan Huneke

ICC Chairman Engages Australians on G20 Priorities

Published on August 6, 2013

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Chairman Harold (Terry) McGraw III, who is also chairman of USCIB, held a series of roundtable meetings with Australian business leaders and government officials to begin ICC’s planning process for the G20 Summit to be hosted in Brisbane in November 2014.

At the center of the week-long activities were policy discussions hosted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and the Sydney Chamber of Commerce. During both meetings McGraw and leading Australian business representatives explored key policy issues of most importance for the Australian G20 presidency. Topics included the need for the G20 to moderate financial regulation, bring better balance to public finance, increase private investment in infrastructure, address the global challenge of youth unemployment and implement tangible solutions to the Doha trade negotiations.

McGraw also met with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who stressed the importance of the G20’s attention to trade and investment and confirmed his belief that business has a critical role in the process for generating the commerce behind economic growth and jobs. McGraw emphasized that Australia’s leadership will be essential for the G20 to maintain momentum in the global economic recovery.

For this year’s Russian cycle of the G20, ICC has been deeply engaged in the policy development process, and the G20 Advisory Group of CEOs were leading participants in the B20 Summit held in Saint Petersburg last month. McGraw is serving as co-chair of the B20 task force on trade and will join a group of CEOs presenting business recommendations to G20 heads of state during the G20 Summit being held September 5-6, also near Saint Petersburg.

Click here to read more on ICC’s website

Staff contact: Jonathan Huneke

 

McGraw Talks Trade on Australian TV

4568_image002ICC Chairman Harold McGraw III appeared on the morning edition of the Australian News Network’s program Business Today, on August 2.

McGraw was interviewed on the subject of trade liberalization ahead of the upcoming G20 Summit, being held on September 5-6 in Strelna, Russia, and in preparation for business participation in the 2014 G20 Summit being organized in Brisbane, Australia.

“ICC has been instrumental in the business policy development process since the Seoul G20 Summit and we are keen to continue to play a key role as Australia takes over the G20 presidency in 2014,” said McGraw, who is also chairman, president and chief executive officer of McGraw Hill Financial. “We are here in Australia to encourage the G20 to lead the way in lowering trade barriers and unlocking jobs and growth.”

Click here to view McGraw’s interview. Click here to read an op-ed piece featured in The Australian by McGraw and Peter Anderson, chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on the topic.

This entry was posted in International Chamber of Commerce.

Renewed Action on Trade: A Boost to Companies of All Sizes

Published on August 1, 2013

By Peter Robinson, USCIB President and CEO

DHL Delivering Tomorrow Blog

“After something of a lull during President Obama’s first term, liberalization of international trade and investment is back at the top of the global economic agenda. I strongly feel this has the potential to give a shot in the arm to companies of all sizes, including the emerging class of “SME multinationals” – the growing roster of small firms that have gone global and are actively participating in dynamic worldwide production and value chains.

Read the full post: http://www.delivering-tomorrow.com/renewed-action-on-trade-a-boost-to-companies-of-all-sizes/

USCIB Responds to OECD/G20 Report on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting

Published on July 19, 2013

New York, N.Y., July 19, 2013 – Responding to a much-anticipated report to the G20 governments from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on possible changes to global taxation rules, the United States Council for International Business (USCIB) said the report reinforces the business community’s position on compliance with existing tax rules and the need for reform.

The OECD today submitted its action plan to tackle “base erosion and profit shifting” (BEPS) to G20 finance ministers meeting in Moscow, fulfilling a request by the G20 leaders at their summit last year in Los Cabos, Mexico.

“The OECD recognizes that most tax planning complies with current rules,” said Carol Doran Klein, USCIB’s vice president for tax policy. “The report states that BEPS is not primarily an issue of tax compliance.”

Klein said USCIB supports regular review by governments to ensure their tax policies are fit for purpose. “Indeed, the U.S. tax system is in need of fundamental reform, particularly in the international area,” she said. USCIB and its partner business groups overseas believe that a consensus-based approach is most appropriate, rather than a piecemeal approach, which would likely increase double taxation. “The OECD, with its resources and the analytical ability to look at these complex issues is the best place to build consensus on these complex issues,” said Klein.

Throughout the development of the BEPS report, USCIB has worked closely with the Business and Industry Advisory Committee
(BIAC) to the OECD, which officially represents the view of industry in the Paris-based body, and for which USCIB serves as the U.S. member federation. BIAC has also issued a statement regarding the BEPS report, available here.

Bill Sample, corporate vice president for worldwide tax with Microsoft and chair of the USCIB Tax Committee, stated:  “USCIB and it members look forward to working with  BIAC and the OECD on this timely and important review of the application of current tax policies to multinational businesses. The factors driving the need for U.S. tax reform also impact the international tax system.”

Last month in Washington, D.C., the OECD, BIAC and USCIB jointly held the 8th annual OECD International Tax Conference, which featured an in-depth discussion of BEPS along with other important global tax policy topics. More information on that event is available here.

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 BIAC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. More information is available at www.uscib.org.

Contact:

Jonathan Huneke, VP communications, USCIB

+1 212.703.5043 or jhuneke@uscib.org

More on USCIB’s Taxation Committee

 

USCIB Hails Launch of U.S.-EU Trade and Investment Talks

Published on June 17, 2013
L-R: European Council President Van Rompuy, President Obama, European Commission President Barroso, UK Prime Minister Cameron.
L-R: European Council President Van Rompuy, President Obama, European Commission President Barroso, UK Prime Minister Cameron.

New York, N.Y., June 17, 2013 – The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) applauded today’s announcement at the G8 Summit in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland that the United States and the European Union have launched negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

“The European Union is our biggest export market, while the transatlantic investment relationship is the largest in the world, but there are plenty of additional opportunities if we play our cards right,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson.

“TTIP has the capacity to provide a big boost to our competitiveness, economic growth, and jobs here at home, and can jump-start other trade liberalization efforts at the regional and multilateral levels.”

According to the White House, the initial round of U.S.-EU talks is set to begin in Washington on July 8. It said TTIP will aim to further open EU markets, strengthening rules-based investment to grow the world’s largest investment relationship, while eliminating all tariffs on trade, improving market access for trade in services and tackling costly “behind the border” non-tariff barriers that impede the flow of goods, including regulatory impediments.

Last month USCIB submitted a report on TTIP to the U.S. Trade Representative’s office detailing recommended negotiating objectives in a variety of areas. Earlier this month, USCIB organized a roundtable in New York on the stakes for business in the TTIP negotiations.

Robinson said USCIB would work with fellow industry groups and the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to ensure that American industry views are front and center in the negotiations. USCIB is on the steering committee of the recently launched Business Coalition for Transatlantic Trade.

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, 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

More on USCIB’s Trade and Investment Committee

More on USCIB’s European Union Committee