Press Release Archives

Business Groups Seek More Aggressive Promotion of CleanEnergy Exports

Published on July 27, 2011

Clean_EnergyNew York, N.Y., July 27, 2011 – The United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which represents America’s top global companies, has joined with an array of leading U.S. business groups in urging ramped-up efforts to promote U.S. clean energy exports. The groups unveiled their proposal at a briefing on Capitol Hill today.

“Meeting the global demand for American clean energy technology will be critical for job creation and American technological leadership in the years ahead,” said Rob Mulligan, senior vice president and head of USCIB’s Washington, D.C. office. “To do this, we need a more coordinated and aggressive approach by the U.S. government in promoting exports of U.S. environmental goods and services.”

The business groups put forward a six-point plan to help guide action by the U.S. government in promoting green technologies. They recommend the following principles:

1. Ensure technological neutrality in efforts to encourage clean technology exports

2. Activate U.S. commercial diplomacy, including the International Trade Administration, in support of clean tech exports

3. Require robust monitoring and reporting on clean technology export programs

4. Further develop flexible clean technology funding mechanisms

5. Protect U.S. intellectual property rights globally

6. Reduce barriers to international trade in environmental goods and services.

“Taken together, these efforts would help clear away significant barriers at the domestic and international levels to American clean energy exports, thereby supporting robust job creation and innovation in this critical sector,” said Mr. Mulligan.

In addition to USCIB, signatories to the principles were the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, Business Roundtable, Coalition of Services Industries, Emergency Committee for American Trade, Information Technology Industry Council, National Foreign Trade Council, National Association of Manufacturers, National Electrical Manufacturers Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The proposal was released at a briefing featuring Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, and Representative David Dreier (R-CA), chairman of the Committee on Rules in the House. Also at the briefing, a panel of senior representatives from the business and environmental communities and U.S. government discussed how promoting U.S. clean energy exports can help unlock foreign markets and grow businesses and jobs in the United States.

Panelists included: Jennifer Haverkamp, director of the international climate program at the Environmental Defense Fund; Mark Linscott, assistant U.S. trade representative for environment and natural resources; Ty Mitchell, vice president and general manager of LED lighting, Cree; Peter Perez, deputy assistant secretary of commerce for manufacturing; and Tim Richards, managing director for energy policy with GE Energy. The discussion was moderated by Bill Reinsch, president of the National Foreign Trade Council.

 

About USCIB

USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and prudent regulation. Its members include top 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 information is available at www.uscib.org.

 

Business statement: “Encouraging U.S. Clean Energy Exports: A Set of Private-Sector Principles”

More on USCIB’s Environment Committee

USCIB Welcomes Progress on Approval of Pending Trade Agreements

Published on June 28, 2011

New York, N.Y., June 28, 2011 – The United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which represents America’s leading global companies, welcomed progress toward Congressional approval of pending U.S. free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and Korea, as the Senate Finance Committee announced it will hold a mock mark-up on Thursday, June 30.

“Approving these agreements as soon as possible will provide a big boost to our economy as we seek to ensure sustained growth and a jobs-based recovery,” stated USCIB President and CEO Peter M. Robinson.  “We need the tools to compete and win in the world economy.  What’s more, failure to move quickly on the three trade agreements will damage American leadership and credibility on the world stage.  American business will do its utmost to ensure Congressional passage.”

The draft implementing bill for the Korea FTA will include an extension of Trade Adjustment Assistance.  “We believe that Trade Adjustment Assistance plays an important role in advancing a bipartisan trade agenda,” Mr. Robinson stated.  Earlier this year, USCIB joined other leading industry associations in signing a joint letter on the importance of TAA.

About USCIB

USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and prudent regulation.  Its members include top 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 information is available at www.uscib.org.

Contact:

Jonathan Huneke, USCIB

+1 212.703.5043 (office), +1 917.420.0039 (mobile), jhuneke@uscib.org

More on USCIB’s Trade and Investment Committee

Business Welcomes Effort to Ease Business Travel in AsiaPacific

Published on May 26, 2011

New York, N.Y., May 26, 2011 – The United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which represents American top companies in leading global forums, issued the following statement today:

USCIB welcomes the introduction of the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Act in the U.S. House of Representatives and urges its passage as soon as is practicable. USCIB applauds Representatives Kevin Brady (R-Tex.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Wally Herger (R-Ca.), Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) and Dan Lundgren (R-Ca.), for their continued sponsorship of the ABTC.

The Asia-Pacific encompasses the world’s most dynamic and fastest growing region. Its markets are critical to maintaining U.S. competiveness and achieving President Obama’s National Export Initiative goals, and ease of travel is important to businesses wishing to engage in those markets.

Eighteen of the 21 APEC governments already issue the ABTC, giving their frequent business travelers a significant advantage through the ease of shorter immigration lines, visa-free access to some countries and expedited review of visa applications in all participating APEC economies. Without the ABTC, U.S. passport holders are at a disadvantage in entering these countries.

The U.S. is the official host of the APEC meetings in 2011. Passage of the ABTC would be both a welcome symbolic gesture and, even more importantly, a practical commitment both to APEC and to the U.S. business community. Congress should take this opportunity to pass the ABTC Act.

About USCIB

USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and prudent regulation. Its members include top 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 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 policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. More at www.uscib.org.

 

Mexico to Accept “Merchandise Passports” for Temporary Imports

Published on May 12, 2011

Spanish | español

mexico_puzzleNew York, N.Y., May 12, 2011 – Business travelers to Mexico can soon take advantage of a new tool to expedite and reduce the cost of taking goods temporarily into the country. Starting May 16, the country begins accepting ATA Carnets, the “merchandise passports” honored in some 80 countries and customs territories, according to the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which issues and guarantees the internationally recognized customs documents in the U.S.

Mexico will accept Carnets for professional equipment, demonstration samples and goods for trade shows. A single Carnet can be used to take goods to any accepting country for up to one year, duty-free and tax-free, so long as the goods are not sold and leave the country in the same condition in which they were brought in.  More information is available at www.merchandisepassport.org.

“For years, Carnet users have told us that the biggest gap in the system was Mexico,” said Cynthia Duncan, USCIB’s senior vice president for Carnet services. “Now, that gap has been filled. It should mean a big boost for business travel and sales in the country and throughout Latin America.”

Mexico is the United States’ second-largest export market and third-largest trading partner overall. Top U.S. exports to Mexico include electrical machinery, vehicles, auto parts, plastics, aircrafts and airplane parts.

Until recently, Mexico and other Latin American countries were outliers in the international Carnet system, which had its origins in Europe a half-century ago. But Chile’s decision a few years ago to accept Carnets, coupled with Mexico’s move, opens the region to this innovative and valuable service.

Worldwide, more than 160,000 Carnets are issued every year, accounting for hundreds of thousands of customs declarations and covering goods with a total value of over $20 billion (U.S.). The Carnet system is overseen by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Customs Organization.

Joining Mexico as the newest members of the ATA Carnet system are Bosnia and Herzegovina, which joined on April 18, and the United Arab Emirates, which began accepting Carnets on April 1.

USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and prudent regulation. Its members include top 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:
Cynthia Duncan, SVP Carnet Operations, USCIB
+1 212.703.5079 or cduncan@uscib.org

More on USCIB’s ATA Carnet Export Service

Spanish | español

México acepta el pasaporte para mercancías para importaciones temporales el 11 de mayo de 2011

Published on May 11, 2011

English | ingles

mexico_puzzleNueva York, N.Y., el 11 de mayo de 2011 – Muy pronto, los viajeros de negocios a México podrán beneficiarse de un nuevo instrumento para agilizar y minimizar los costos de llevar mercancías al extranjero. A partir del 16 de mayo, México aceptará el Carnet ATA, el “pasaporte para mercancías” reconocido en 80 países y territorios aduaneros, de acuerdo al United States Council for International Business (USCIB), el cual emite y garantiza este documento aduanero internacionalmente aceptado.

México aceptará el uso de Carnets ATA para internar al país equipos profesionales, muestras comerciales y productos para ferias. Un mismo Carnet puede ser utilizado para llevar mercancías a cualquier país participante por hasta un año, sin pago de aranceles o impuestos. El único requisito es que las mercancías no se vendan y que salgan del país en el mismo estado en que fueron importadas. Para más detalles, visitar: www.merchandisepassport.org.

“Por años, los usuarios de Carnets ATA nos decían que el vacío más grande en el sistema era México,” dice Cynthia Duncan, vicepresidente principal para servicios de Carnets en el USCIB. “Ahora, se ha llenado esta ausencia. Debe considerarse como un gran estímulo para negocios en el país y en toda Latinoamérica.”

México es el segundo mercado más grande para productos de exportación y el tercer socio comercial de los Estados Unidos. Los artículos más exportados a México incluyen maquinaria eléctrica, vehículos, piezas para automóviles, materiales plásticos, aviones y piezas aeronáuticas.

Hasta hace poco, México y otros países latinoamericanos se encontraban en la periferia del sistema internacional del Carnet ATA, el cual se originó en Europa hace medio siglo. Sin embargo la decisión por parte de Chile de aceptar Carnets en 2005, junto con la reciente incorporación en México, abre la región latinoamericana a este innovador y valioso servicio.

En el mundo, cada año se emiten más de 160,000 Carnets, representando cientos de miles de declaraciones de aduanas y cubriendo mercancías por más de $20 mil millones de dólares. A nivel internacional, el sistema Carnet ATA es manejado por la Cámara de Comercio Internacional (CCI) y por la Organización Mundial de Aduanas.

Junto con México, otros nuevos países miembros del sistema Carnet ATA son Bosnia y Herzegovina a partir del 18 de abril y los Emiratos Árabes Unidos desde el 1ro de abril de este año.

El USCIB promueve el mercado libre, la competitividad y la innovación, el desarrollo sustentable y la responsabilidad corporativa, todos apoyados por el compromiso internacional y la reglamentación prudencial. Sus miembros incluyen a las principales empresas internacionales estadounidenses y compañías de servicios profesionales de cada sector de nuestra economía, con operaciones en todas las regiones del mundo. Con una red mundial única que comprende organizaciones líderes de comercio internacional, incluyendo la CCI, el USCIB comparte puntos de vista de negocios con quienes diseñan las políticas y con las autoridades reguladoras por todo el mundo, y se empeña en facilitar el comercio y la inversión internacional. Para más detalles, www.uscib.org

Contacte con:
Cynthia Duncan, SVP Carnet Operations, USCIB
+1 212 703.5079 o cduncan@uscib.org

Más en “ATA Carnet Export Service”

English | ingles

With U.S. Tax Reform Looming, Global Tax Experts to Meet in Washington

Published on May 10, 2011

OECD_2011

Washington, D.C., May 10, 2011 – With tax reform high on the agenda in Washington, what are the implications for multinational companies?  To help executives and policy makers keep up in this fast-moving area, the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which represents American business on the global stage, will convene its fifth annual tax conference next month in Washington, D.C., focusing on the work of the 34-nation Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

This 2011 OECD International Tax Conference, June 6-7 at the Four Seasons Hotel, will provide a unique opportunity for the U.S. business community to interact with key representatives from the OECD Center for Tax Policy and Administration, as well as senior tax officials from the U.S. and other OECD countries.

“As the volume, speed and complexity of international business continues to grow, global firms need clear, consistent and stable tax rules more than ever,” said Bill Sample, corporate vice president for worldwide taxation with Microsoft Corp. and chair of USCIB’s Taxation Committee.  “The OECD is the recognized leader in promoting a tax system to facilitate multinational business and dispute resolution. Business participation is critical to the OECD’s success, so we are encouraging companies from all industries to join us at the conference.”

Key questions to be addressed at the conference include: What are the latest international developments affecting permanent establishments?  What about transfer pricing and intangibles?  How are countries working together to improve tax compliance and cooperation?  With its membership growing, how is the OECD working with new members and non-members on tax policy matters?

Speakers at the event are scheduled to include

  • Jeffrey Owens, head of the OECD’s Center for Tax Policy and Administration
  • Thomas Barthold, chief of staff of the Joint Congressional Committee on Taxation
  • Manal Corwin, deputy assistant secretary of the Treasury for international affairs
  • Masatsugu Asakawa of the Japanese finance ministry, incoming chair of the OECD Committee on Fiscal Affairs
  • Mary Bennett, head of OECD’s tax treaty, transfer pricing, and financial transactions division
  • Steven Miller, deputy commissioner of the IRS for services and enforcement
  • Michelle Levac of Canada’s revenue agency, chair of the OECD Working Party Taxation of Multinational Enterprises.

“Informed, ongoing dialogue with the OECD secretariat and with OECD member states is crucial for global companies,” according to Carol Doran Klein, USCIB’s vice president and international tax counsel.  “The fact that this year’s conference takes place against the backdrop of potentially far-reaching tax reform in the United States only adds to its importance.”

Details on the conference are available at www.uscibtax.org.

The conference is co-organized by USCIB, the OECD and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD, which officially represents the view of industry in the Paris-based body.  Supporting organizations include the International Fiscal Association – USA Branch, the International Tax Policy Forum, the National Foreign Trade Council, the Organization for International Investment, the Tax Council Policy Institute, the Tax Executives Institute and the Tax Foundation.

USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and prudent regulation.  Its members include top 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
(212) 703-5043 or jhuneke@uscib.org.

Conference agenda, registration form and other information

More on USCIB’s Taxation Committee

OECD website

Business Groups Weigh in on Stalled Doha Round

Published on May 2, 2011

Following meetings in Geneva last week on the WTO Doha Round negotiations, USCIB and several other major U.S. business groups issued a statement (below) expressing our concern with the current state of the negotiations, affirming our continued support for the round and the efforts by the U.S. negotiators, and stressing the need for a change in the substantive direction of the talks to bridge the gaps in services, agriculture and manufactured goods.

Staff contact: Rob Mulligan

More on USCIB’s Trade and Investment Committee

Business Groups Joint Statement on the Status of the Doha Round

Washington, D.C., May 2, 2011 – The organizations listed below released the following statement today on the lack of progress in the Doha Round:

“We deeply regret that the WTO Doha Development Agenda trade round has not yet been able to achieve its intended objective of promoting world economic growth by expanding trade.

Since 2001, the United States and the U.S. manufacturing, services, and agriculture communities have been steadfast in their support for the Doha Round and of efforts by U.S. and other negotiators to try to break the negotiating deadlock by offering constructive alternatives in each negotiating area. We continue to seek an outcome that would open markets around the world, produce new trade flows, grow our economies and sustain and create jobs. But an agreement will not be possible unless all major economies make meaningful contributions.

A trade round is about opening markets and setting the rules for world trade for decades so it must address the reality that all major developed and advanced developing WTO Members that have benefitted from past rounds enormously have a responsibility to the world trading system to undertake significant market opening measures.  It is clear that this is not happening.

We believe that what is currently on the table in Geneva lacks balance and ambition.  According to the participants in the negotiations, the gaps in services, agriculture and manufactured goods appear to be unbridgeable under current circumstances. Real change in the substantive direction of the negotiations is the way the Round will produce meaningful results, an objective we continue to strongly support.

We continue to maintain strong confidence in the WTO as an institution, its system of rules, and its role as a bulwark for open trade and against protectionism as proven by the recent financial crisis. We encourage the United States and all WTO Members to devote their energy to finding a productive, trade-expanding direction for the Doha Round and the multilateral trading system. We remain ready to contribute our ideas to such an effort.”

American Farm Bureau Federation

Business Roundtable

Coalition of Service Industries

Emergency Committee for American Trade

National Association of Manufacturers

National Foreign Trade Council

United States Chamber of Commerce

United States Council for International Business

Bosnia and Herzegovina Join ATA Carnet

Published on April 11, 2011
Mostar the second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mostar the second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina

New York, N.Y., April 11, 2011 – Starting April 18th Bosnia and Herzegovina will begin accepting ATA Carnets for duty-free, tax-free temporary imports, according to the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which administers and guarantees Carnets in the United States.

This is an important achievement for the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) as Bosnia and Herzegovina featured among the top 10 priority target countries identified by the network of world ATA Carnet organizations.

ATA Carnets are merchandise passports that permit the duty-free, tax-free export of goods.  In 2009, the most recent year for which worldwide figures are available, over 150,000 Carnets were issued, covering goods worth more than $17 billion (U.S.).  Prior to the Bosnia’s decision, Moldova, Macao and UAE were the latest territories to join the worldwide system, which is overseen by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Customs Organization.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a very significant importer of US medical equipment and agricultural machinery, as well as military apparel and footwear. “Bosnia’s decision to accept Carnets and become the 70th member further solidifies their use in southeastern Europe,” according to Cynthia Duncan, USCIB’s senior vice president for Carnet operations. “Among the nations of former Yugoslavia, only Kosovo remains outside the system.”

Exporters and business travelers interested in learning more about Bosnia and Herzegovina’s acceptance of Carnets can visit our Bosnia and Herzegovina page on our website.

Contact:

Cynthia Duncan, SVP Carnet Operations, USCIB

(212) 703-5079 or cduncan@uscib.org

More on USCIB’s ATA Carnet Export Service

UAE to Further Boost Status as Trade Hub by Accepting ‘Merchandise Passports’

Published on April 11, 2011
Dubai’s modern skyline. The city plays host to some 200 trade shows each year.
Dubai’s modern skyline. The city plays host to some 200 trade shows each year.

New York, N.Y., April 11, 2011 – The U. S. Council for International Business (USCIB) begins issuing ATA Carnets
to UAE on April 12, making the federation the 69th country to join the worldwide system for duty-free, tax-free temporary imports. The USCIB administers, guarantees and issues Carnets in the United States.

The UAE will begin by accepting goods for trade shows and fairs, according to Cynthia Duncan, USCIB’s senior vice president for Carnet operations.  “It is an important step in linking UAE businesses to the wider global marketplace,” she said.  “With some 200 trade shows annually in Dubai, the UAE’s acceptance of Carnets should be a boon for U.S. companies from all industries.”

ATA Carnets are merchandise passports that permit the duty-free, tax-free export of goods.  In 2009, the most recent year for which worldwide figures are available, over 150,000 Carnets were issued, covering goods worth more than $17 billion (U.S.).  Prior to the UAE’s decision, Moldova and Macao were the latest territories to join the worldwide system, which is overseen by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Customs Organization.

USCIB said the announcement was made last month by the director general of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Hamad Buamim, and his counterpart from the UAE’s foreign trade ministry, Abdullah Al-Saleh.  The Dubai Chamber will assume responsibility for issuing and guaranteeing Carnets throughout the UAE.

The UAE was the largest U.S. export market in the entire Middle East and North Africa region in 2009, and the 19th largest globally, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.  Transportation equipment, machinery, computers and electronics, and chemicals are the top U.S. exports to the country.  Ms. Duncan said she expected overall two-way trade to grow and diversify further in view of the decision to accept merchandise passports.

Exporters and business travelers interested in learning more about UAE’s acceptance of Carnets can visit our UAE page on our website.

Contact:

Cynthia Duncan, SVP Carnet Operations, USCIB

(212) 703-5079 or cduncan@uscib.org

More on USCIB’s ATA Carnet Export Service

USCIB Applauds Progress on Colombia Trade Agreement

Published on April 6, 2011

New York, N.Y., April 6, 2011 – The United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which represents America’s top global companies, welcomed today’s announcement of major progress to finalize the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement.  It urged swift consideration of the market-opening deal by Congress.

“We commend the Obama administration for making completion of this agreement a top priority,” stated USCIB President and CEO Peter M. Robinson.  “From the business perspective, this agreement will level the playing field, since many Colombian products already enter the U.S. duty-free.  We also believe that the U.S. has a compelling foreign policy interest in supporting a democratic ally like Colombia through enhanced economic ties.”

Once the agreement is ratified, 80 percent of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial products to Colombia would become duty-free, with the remaining tariffs phased out over the next 10 years.  More than half of U.S. agriculture exports to Colombia would also become duty-free, with almost all tariffs eliminated within 15 years.

Mr. Robinson said he was gratified that the agreement’s labor provisions are based on the May 2007 bipartisan trade deal that incorporates the International Labor Organization’s 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, which was developed at the initiative of USCIB and the other business constituents of the ILO.

“Colombia has clearly demonstrated its willingness to work with the ILO to meet its international commitments,” he stated.  “We encourage the United States to support the role of the ILO to help its member states realize the principles of the ILO Declaration in their national laws.”

Mr. Robinson said USCIB strongly supports ratification of the Colombia, Korea and Panama FTAs, as well as completion of the WTO’s Doha Round and other market-opening initiatives.

About USCIB

USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and prudent regulation.  Its members include top 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 information is available at www.uscib.org.

Contact:

Jonathan Huneke, USCIB

+1 212.703.5043 (office), +1 917.420.0039 (mobile), jhuneke@uscib.org

More on USCIB’s Trade and Investment Committee