On the occasion of the first joint review of the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework, USCIB reaffirmed support for the Framework and issued a statement underscoring its importance in ensuring continued robust and reliable transatlantic data flows, which have proved vital for healthy U.S.-EU commercial relations.
In just one year, nearly 2,500 U.S. business entities have self-certified with the Department of Commerce and publicly committed to comply with the Framework requirements – with many of them already in the process of re-certifying.
“This impressive ‘track record’ substantiates our view that many U.S. companies see the potential of the Framework to provide greater legal certainty and consumer confidence in data transfers,” said Barbara Wanner, USCIB’s vice president for ICT policy. “In the longer term, this will promote commercial activities and investments yielding increased economic and societal benefits on both sides of the Atlantic,” she added.
USCIB highlighted three important points for consideration in the Annual Review: (1) the Framework is realizing stronger personal data protections; (2) the Framework is serving as an effective mechanism for certification by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); and (3) the longevity of the Framework remains important.
New York, N.Y., September 13, 2017 – As United Nations members gather in New York to review progress on the UN’s ambitious 2030 Development Agenda, American business is underscoring how much it is doing – and could be doing, provided the proper incentives – in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which represents America’s most innovative and successful global companies, plans a series of events in New York throughout the week of September 18, centered on the theme: “Business makes it happen.”
The third annual Business and Climate Summit—the leading forum for business leaders, investors and policymakers on climate action—took place from August 31 to September 1 this year in New Delhi, India. The Summit showcased business leadership in addressing climate change and highlighted how business can help governments achieve climate objectives.
From September 18 to 22, 193 countries will gather in New York for the opening of the 72nd UN General Assembly (GA). The GA is the UN’s governing body, and its sessions deliberate and decide global approaches on a wide range of issues and programs impacting and offering opportunities for U.S. business. Under the leadership of new Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the UN reform process underway this year holds out the promise of more inclusive and substantive public-private sector dialogue and cooperation in the UN system to advance economic growth and sustainable development.
On August 29, USCIB and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) co-hosted a very useful briefing on the challenging investment chapter issues in the just-launched NAFTA updating negotiations with senior officials from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The USTR lead investment negotiators were joined by other senior USTR officials and a business side of two dozen company and trade association representatives with major concerns about the NAFTA investment chapter, especially the important issue of “Investor-State Dispute Settlement” (ISDS). The business turnout at a short notice meeting in late August is a clear demonstration of the importance that USCIB members and the broader community ascribe to these investment issues. The US negotiating team was heading to Mexico City for the second round in the NAFTA updating negotiations September 1-5.
Earlier this month in Washington, D.C., the United States, Canada and Mexico kicked off the NAFTA modernization effort with their first round of negotiations. The next round will take place September 1-5 in Mexico. As the three countries noted in their joint statement, the negotiations will continue at a rapid pace, with a third round planned for Canada in late September, and a fourth round back in the U.S. in October.
A joint effort to facilitate participation by smaller companies in international trade has been launched by Roberto Azevedo, the director general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and John Danilovich, secretary general of the 
Danilovich added: “Trading internationally can provide a huge boost to MSME growth. We know that small businesses which export tend to grow more quickly, pay better salaries and create more jobs. But MSMEs still face significant barriers when it comes to accessing global markets. Small business owners often tell us that they lack the time and in-house expertise to deal with trade roadblocks – while many others aren’t aware of the potential opportunities that international trade can bring for their companies.
As negotiations between the United States, Canada and Mexico to update the North American Free Trade Agreement got underway last week in Washington, D.C., USCIB President and CEO Peter M. Robinson was quoted in 
USCIB filed 
USCIB’s “International Business”