Trends and Challenges Facing US Business:

USCIB Meets With WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and DDG Angela Ellard

USCIB Staff and Members with WTO Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard

USCIB Alice Slayton Clark Speaking At The OECD

• The rise of economic nationalism and a retreat from globalization are trending and strategic rivalries threaten a more fragmented and economically divided world.

• USCIB will champion efforts to ensure the US continues to lead in the international economic arena, engaging partners on a clean and just economy while opening markets and leveling the playing field for US goods, services, agriculture, digital, and investment.

• Key to US economic growth and competitiveness are policies that expand commercial opportunities while creating a stable environment for US supply chains. Open markets are imperative to USCIB Members who grow their business by trading with the 96 percent of consumers outside of the US.

• More trade and regional diversification, not less, increases the capacity for US companies to cushion shocks and sustain domestic operations while diversifying supply chains and expanding opportunity for like-minded allies to join global production networks.

USCIB’s Response:

• Advocate for negotiating new, high-standard trade agreements that promote open markets and cross-border regulatory coherence. We will oppose policies that restrict the free flow of goods, onshore and/or localize production, as overly managed economies have deleterious economic consequences.  

• Educate on the impact of widespread tariffs on US manufacturers, workers and consumers, and work closely with policymakers to minimize unintentional economic harm when using tariffs to advance national or economic security interests.   

• Promote a more fit for purpose, global rules-based trading system led by the World Trade Organization (WTO), so countries can successfully come together again to reach new agreements, monitor commitments and resolve disputes.  

• Advance US business interests and confront discriminatory action against US goods and services, unfair foreign trade practices, and denial of market access in global fora such as the OECD and WTO.  Read USCIB’s business priorities for the OECD accession process. 

• Press the United States to hold trading partners accountable for their bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral trade commitments, including the Agreements on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). 

• Urge the return to long held US positions in support of strong digital trade rules and progress on advancing 21st century standards for the full range of services trade. 

• Maximize foreign direct investment and defend provisions of international investment agreements that safeguard US foreign investments and help investors obtain fair treatment without compromising legitimate regulation. 

• Demand business’ voice at the table to advance on-the-ground, pragmatic and innovative practices that safeguard our national economic interests. 

China Subcommittee:

US-China economic relations are extensive, complex, and increasingly strained due to growing concerns related to national security and Chinese trade practices. Trade-restrictive requirements persist for USCIB members doing business in China, including forced technology transfers, foreign investment restrictions, severe digital and cloud market access prohibitions, inadequate intellectual property protection, significantly disadvantaging and weakening the global competitiveness of US companies. USCIB established a China Subcommittee to advance policies that:  

• Promote continued engagement to manage the extensive economic relationship: addressing trade concerns while minimizing harmful disruptions.  

• Press for stronger business engagement to ensure policies linked with economic security are narrowly targeted and transparently implemented. 

• Promote Administration coordination with allies at the OECD, WTO, G20, G7 and other global fora on a collective approach to addressing security and supply chain concerns.    

• Urge US restraint with respect to unilateral actions and efforts to repeal Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China without meaningful consultation with industry and serious consideration of the economic harm it would cause.    

• Engage the ICC and our sister business associations around the globe to align on positive areas for engagement such as supply chain resiliency, a level playing field, industrial subsidies, and overcapacity.   

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