Policy Positions and Statements Archives

The Sustainable Development Goals as Business Opportunities

Published on July 21, 2016

SustainabilityThe scale and ambition of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) create a tremendous opportunity for the private sector to demonstrate the central role it plays in human prosperity. Business will serve as an essential partner to meet the challenge of achieving the SDGs.

The recently unveiled OECD Development Co-operation Report 2016: The Sustainable Development Goals as Business Opportunities, acknowledges the private sector’s role as a “powerful promoter of sustainable development”. It also highlights the opportunity for the governments to leverage private sector contribution, helping to manage risk and providing insights into effective policy and practice. The publication lists the enabling factors, as well as the constraints, for businesses and investors interested in addressing sustainable development challenges.

The report also provides guidance on responsible business conduct and outlines the challenges in mobilizing and measuring private finance to achieve the SDGs. Throughout the report, practical examples illustrate how business is already promoting sustainable development and inclusive growth in developing countries. USCIB and its global network contributed to the report:

  • Shaun Donnelly, USCIB’s vice president for investment and financial services, contributed an article titled “Pro-Investment policies really matter!” about the link between good investment policies and development (p. 61 in the report).
  • Louise Kantrow, the International Chamber of Commerce’s permanent representative to the United Nations, highlighted the shared interests between the business community and the development community in her piece, “Sustainable development challenges are business challenges.” (p. 28 in the report)
  • And during the report’s launch event, USCIB Vice President for Labor Affairs, Corporate Responsibility and Governance Ariel Meyerstein showcased the influential Business for 2030 website, an initiative by USCIB highlighting the contributions from the private sector in helping to achieve the SDGs.

More details, including ways to access the report can be found on the OECD Website.

Making a Difference: USCIB Annual Report 2015 – 2016

Published on July 12, 2016

Annual_Report_2015-2016Around the world, and across every industry, companies are facing increased regulation of their operations. New corporate tax rules, heightened privacy protections, environmental reporting, forced localization – these are just a few examples of the proliferating regulatory burden with which global companies must contend. The cost of regulation is increasing, eating into profits and hampering job creation.

In addressing regulation of cross-border commerce, one important avenue is to work with intergovernmental institutions – such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization and the OECD – that help set the global rules of the road and recommend best practices to governments. This is at the heart of what USCIB does. And we do so both offensively, providing proactive education and informed views to policymakers at the national and international level, to ensure better, more sensible polices, and defensively, helping companies mitigate the costs of rules and regulations.

Find out more about our work and how we can help your company in our Annual Report.

USCIB Statement on Impact of Brexit Vote on ATA Carnet

Published on June 27, 2016

Last week’s UK vote to leave the European Union has spurred many questions regarding the country’s future trade and treaty commitments, including the ATA Carnet system for temporary imports. At this time, the UK remains a member of the EU, and the process for leaving the bloc has not yet begun. We have no indication of any changes affecting the use of ATA Carnets in the UK, or in the EU as a whole, for the foreseeable future.

The earliest Brexit could take effect is two years after a treaty mechanism has been triggered. The latter part of 2018 is considered the most likely date at the moment.

“In the meantime members of the chain can continue to issue ATA Carnets for the UK as part of the EU in exactly the same way as they do now.  The UK will continue issuing exactly as present as well.” said Peter Bishop, deputy chief executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

As the U.S. National Guaranteeing Association for the global ATA Carnet system, USCIB is monitoring the situation closely, working with ICC and affected parties including our ATA Carnet Service Providers. We will provide updates as new information becomes available.

USCIB Statement: Setting the 2030 Sustainability Agenda In Motion

Published on April 20, 2016

un_headquarters_lo-resNow more than ever, business and the global community share a common goal of advancing economic development and sustainability while effectively addressing climate change. This week in New York, governments, business and civil society are gathered to move forward on the landmark decisions of 2015. Through USCIB’s Campaign2015, USCIB and its members supported and informed the decisions of Addis, Paris and New York.  This week our message is clear — it is time to get to work!

Together we have an opportunity to design and carry out promising solutions for the world’s economy and governments, reflecting the UN 2030 Development Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – and the conviction that business and governments should work together to address global challenges.  These universal agendas speak to everyone, including the business community. USCIB will approach these imperatives holistically, working with our global business network, the U.S. and other governments, and numerous other partners.

USCIB members are committed to advance the vital outcomes of Addis, New York and Paris, both those that have been decided, as well as those requiring further discussion and elaboration.

Addressing the challenges of sustainability demands new ways of working together, through partnership and enhanced engagement between governments and business.  We understand that the real effort is now beginning, as governments determine working details and put commitments into action.  In business, we too are moving to define priorities for further elaboration and what it will take to mobilize and scale up business investment, innovation and action going forward.

Our joint priorities should include:

  • Strengthening specific and distinct business interfaces to the UN system, such as the Private Sector Coordinating Group for FfD, the HLPF and to the UNFCCC and its bodies, such as the Technology Mechanism and Green Climate Fund
  • Tapping business expertise to catalyze and design enabling frameworks for, among other things, research, development, deployment and management of efficient and low-carbon technologies, investment, trade, finance, MRV, adaptation, risk management, and frameworks to promote effective, inclusive and efficient results.

We welcome the UN’s willingness to work in partnership with business so that we can build solutions to energy security, lower carbon development and sustainable economic growth together. USCIB’s platform, Businessfor2030, highlights the fundamental role business will play in helping to achieve the SDGs and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

USCIB and its members are ready to demonstrate what we are ready to bring to this global effort, and look forward to working with governments, the UN community and society as a whole.

Read more about USCIB’s 2015 activities in support of the UN 2030 Development Agenda

Business Urges Policymakers to Avoid Trade-Distorting Data Privacy Measures

Published on March 21, 2016

dataflows

Paris and New York, March 22, 2016 – Some 10.2 billion new connected devices are expected to come online over the next five years – nearly double the number in existence today. Many of these devices will transmit user data for processing across borders. But a proliferation of forced localization measures and other government policies to restrict cross-border data transfers threaten to choke off essential cross-border electronic commerce.

Businesses from across the developed world are urging policymakers to avoid imposing rules on data privacy and security that distort global trade. In a new paper, BIAC, the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD, points to the crucial role of cross-border data flows for the recovery and future of the global economy, and calls on the OECD and governments to develop policies and regulatory frameworks that address concerns for security and privacy in the least trade-distorting way.

“Governments must avoid restricting trade through data localization measures”, said Clifford Sosnow, chair of the BIAC Trade Committee and partner with the Canadian law firm Fasken Martineau LLP. “Considering the importance of this issue for competitive markets, this paper offers recommendations to address the impact of data localization and at the same time deal with privacy and security concerns.”

The BIAC paper had significant input from the U.S. private sector via BIAC’s American affiliate, the United States Council for International Business. The paper estimates that, if fully enacted, government forced localization measures currently in place, or under consideration, could reduce global trade by $93 billion annually.

BIAC recognizes the OECD’s unique capacity to gather and develop evidence on trade restrictive measures on data flows, and accordingly requests the OECD to:

  • highlight to governments the impact of data localization on trade and investment
  • raise awareness among all industries on the importance of data flows for business operations and participation in global trade
  • promote policies that enable open flow of data, to support the rapidly growing number of business models that rely on data flows.

BIAC will work with the OECD to promote best practices in the field of cross-border data flows and encourage governments to refrain from measures that compromise the benefits of open markets and investment for growth.

Read the BIAC policy paper.

USCIB 2016 APEC Priority Issues and Recommendations

Published on February 23, 2016

APEC_PERUThe Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is comprised of 21 member economies, which account for approximately 40 percent of the world’s population, over 50 percent of the world’s total GDP and half of the world’s trade. It is the top economic forum in the region that actively encourages economic growth, regional cooperation and trade and investment.

The APEC forum has established partnerships with the private sector to leverage the many economic, trade and regulatory opportunities available in the region. Each year, USCIB issues a statement outlining business priorities and recommendations in the region.

USCIB’s 2016 APEC policy priorities reflect our longstanding and overarching objectives of promoting open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility. USCIB members have identified key issues that are detailed in this paper and cover the following areas:

business ethics
chemicals
climate change
corporate social responsibility
cross-border data flows
customs transparency and trade facilitation
digital trade
environmental goods and services
food and agriculture
foreign direct investment
global value chains
good regulatory practices
healthcare and regulatory policy

infrastructure
innovation policy
intellectual property rights enforcement
localization barriers to trade
metals
privacy
self-regulation in marketing and advertising
services
state-owned enterprises
trade facilitation in remanufactured goods and e-waste
trade liberalization
women in the economy

Read the USCIB 2016 APEC Priority Issues and Recommendations

US Coalition For TPP Statement Of Support

Published on January 7, 2016

Harbor_tradeToday the U.S. Coalition for TPP, of which USCIB is a leading member, issued the following statement in support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP):

“Since its inception, the U.S. Coalition for TPP has advocated for a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement that would increase U.S. export and economic opportunities, support American jobs, strengthen trade-enforcement tools, and advance security, stability, and prosperity throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

“The U.S. Coalition for TPP has considered the text and finds that it will advance U.S. global competitiveness in the region and set in place modernized rules for the benefit of many industries and their workers in the United States.

“A world with the Trans-Pacific Partnership will help expand the rule of law, transparency, and fairness in the region. It is an agreement that will serve to improve the lives of millions of people in the United States and its TPP partners. It will do so by encouraging competition and setting disciplines in government acts, policies, and practices among the 12 Pacific Rim members that will set an example to which other countries will aspire. As a leading force behind the TPP negotiation, the United States will have, once again, established its preeminent role as a world leader in promoting peace and a more secure future through prosperity that comes from a commitment to liberalized trade and investment.

“The U.S. Coalition for TPP supports the agreement as a significant step forward to a fairer and more-level economic playing field in the Pacific Rim. We also encourage the U.S. government to work with Congress and the 11 TPP partner countries to strengthen the agreement further, thereby expanding support for this important achievement.

“We encourage Congress to give the agreement timely consideration and ultimately support its passage.”

Below are nine specific TPP achievements that will create benefits for American workers, families, and businesses.

  • Reduction of discriminatory tariffs and non-tariff barriers throughout the region, including the total elimination of 100 percent of tariffs on qualifying industrial goods and textiles exports
  • Increase in market access for U.S. agriculture products, reduction of non-tariff barriers to agriculture trade, and expansion of sanitary and phytosanitary provisions
  • New, binding commitments in e-commerce that promote digital trade, spur innovation for new goods and services, and implement strong consumer protections
  • Stricter controls for state-owned enterprises (SOEs), including requirements that they make purchasing decisions based on quality and price, not favoritism
  • Strong enforcement mechanisms, including trade sanctions, that ensure TPP countries comply with the new standards established by TPP
  • New standards and a mechanism to promote good governance across the region by including anti-corruption rules, implementation of anti-bribery laws, and guarantees of due-process rights
  • Provisions to streamline and simplify the movement and release of goods across borders and provide much-needed business predictability on the treatment of goods at the border
  • Promotion of regulatory transparency and cooperation to help address barriers imposed by inconsistent regulatory regimes
  • A first-of-its-kind commitment to help small and medium-sized businesses obtain greater opportunities out of trade agreements

About The Coalition
The U.S. Coalition for TPP is a broad-based and cross-sectoral group of U.S. companies and associations representing the principal sectors of the U.S. economy including agriculture, manufacturing, information and communications technologies, merchandising, processing, publishing, retailing and services.

ICC Underscores Importance of Freedom of Commercial Communication

Published on November 30, 2015

Digital marketing concept

A new International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) statement urging governments to reject general advertising bans and overly prescriptive restrictions on truthful commercial communications, in favor of self-regulatory practices, warns that excessive regulation in the field of advertising and commercial communications could hinder trade and hamper economic growth and development.

Issued on November 24, the ICC policy statement addresses continuing threat of bans on advertising and promotion of legal products and restrictions on freedom of commercial communication in favor of self-regulatory practices.

“This statement presents the views of global business on the freedom of commercial communication and expands on the discussion of the rights of advertisers,” said Brent Sanders (Microsoft), chair of the ICC commission and of USCIB’s Marketing and Advertising Committee. “It outlines the responsibilities accepted by business and supports the argument for continued self-regulation through ICC codes.”

ICC’s Commission on Marketing and Advertising will hold its nextg meeting on December 7 in New York. The Consolidated ICC Code of Advertising and Marketing Communications Practice (the ICC Code), is the gold standard for most nationally applied self-regulation around the world.

The newly revised ICC policy statement on freedom of commercial communication outlines ICC Code principles related to freedom of commercial communication and self-regulation, and recognizes business responsibility to consumers in providing decent, honest and truthful commercial communication. It aims to underscore that freedom of advertising and of commercial speech, underpinned by effective self-regulation, are cornerstones of the market economy.

“Latin America has seen a proliferation of proposals or enacted laws to restrict food and beverage marketing and this statement from ICC is most timely as business concern mounts with threats continuing to extend globally,” said Ximena Tapias Delporte, vice chair of the ICC Commission on Marketing and Advertising and executive chairman of the Colombian Union of Advertising Companies.

In the statement, ICC upholds that products that can be legally manufactured and marketed should be legal to advertise in line with free market media and communication laws, taking into account the interests of the public and the common good.

ICC has served as the authoritative rule-setter for international advertising since the 1930s, when the first ICC Code on advertising practice was issued. Since then, it has updated and expanded the ICC self-regulatory framework where needed to assist companies in marketing their products responsibly and to help self-regulators apply the rules consistently.

Download the ICC Policy Statement on Freedom of Commercial Communications

Download the Consolidated ICC Code of Advertising and Marketing Communications Practice

USCIB Statement on China’s WTO Commitments

Published on September 28, 2015

china_flag_largeThe economic relationship between the United States and China is both vital and complex, and U.S. business holds an important stake in this relationship’s success. Since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, the United States Trade Representative has submitted a yearly report to Congress on China’s compliance and commitments to its WTO accession. As part of this submission, USCIB is invited to provide a statement to USTR on behalf of its members, providing feedback, comments and recommendations on China’s compliance with its WTO commitments.

USCIB appreciates the significant efforts China has made since joining the WTO to meet its obligations under the terms of its accession agreement. However, there still remain general WTO obligation compliance concerns. Broad business concerns are listed below, excerpted from USCIB’s statement:

China’s Antimonopoly Law (AML): Chinese antitrust enforcement authorities continue to use the AML as a tool to advance industrial policies goals and limit competition by U.S. and other foreign companies. While we support China’s efforts to address anti-competitive practices, Chinese regulators have repeatedly used AML enforcement against U.S. companies absent any proof of market power or anti-competitive harm, and often in disregard of basic norms of fairness, due process, and transparency. USCIB members urge the U.S. government to continue to focus on this issue and its effects on U.S. companies.

National Treatment and Non-Discrimination: Chinese authorities continue to use a variety of policy tools and regulatory measures—including AML enforcement (described above), technology standards policies, IPR enforcement practices, and licensing and investment reviews—to compel transfer of U.S. IP or technologies to Chinese entities at below-market rates and to exclude U.S. companies from full and equal participation in the Chinese market. USCIB members continue to call on China to abide by their WTO commitments of national treatment and non-discrimination and ensure a competitive market that allows for foreign business participation on a level playing field with domestic Chinese firms.

IT Security Measures: Chinese policymakers and regulators have recently proposed or enacted a variety of trade-restrictive and discriminatory requirements on information technology (IT) under the guise of protecting security. These measures, many of which require the use of IT products that are “secure and controllable,” disadvantage U.S. firms by requiring Chinese IT users to purchase Chinese products or suppliers, imposing domestic R&D or content requirements, requiring the transfer or disclosure of source code or other IP, restricting cross-border data transfers, and in other ways. USCIB members urge the U.S. government to continue to press for full suspension of all existing and proposed measures involving trade-restrictive requirements in this area.

Read USCIB’s full statement on China’s WTO commitments.

 

USCIB Adds Its Voice to Concerns with BEPS

Published on July 10, 2015

taxes-portUSCIB joined the Software Finance & Tax Executives Council and the National Foreign Trade Council in signing a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew citing concerns with the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project. The letter notes that the threat of double taxation will have a negative impact on global trade and investment.

The BEPS project is an effort by the OECD to rewrite global rules that tax profits where economic activity is generated, without imposing undue compliance costs on taxpayers.

“Throughout the BEPS process, U.S. business has been pressing for clarity,” the letter states. “The lack of clarity and threat of double taxation will create uncertainty which will have a negative impact on global trade and investment.”

Read the letter.

L-R: Grace Perez-Navarro (OECD), Carol Doran Klein (USCIB), David Camp (PwC), Pascal Saint-Amans (OECD)
L-R: Grace Perez-Navarro (OECD), Carol Doran Klein (USCIB), David Camp (PwC), Pascal Saint-Amans (OECD)

Last month, USCIB hosted its tenth annual OECD International Tax Conference in Washington, D.C., which took stock of BEPS and its impact on international trade and investment.