Policy Areas Archives

Concern Over Indian Procurement Initiative

Published on July 7, 2011

USCIB recently joined several other associations in a letter to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh raising serious concerns with new draft proposals regarding procurement preferences for electronic products. These proposals would require that a percentage of all electronic procurements by the Indian government be reserved for domestic manufacturing. The letter identifies the many negative aspects of the policies for India and urges the government to not implement any policies seeking to encourage manufacturing through discrimination or by forcing local content in government procurements.

 

Business letter on Indian procurement

More on USCIB’s Trade and Investment Committee

Business Groups Urge No More Delays on Trade Pacts and Adjustment Assistance

Published on July 7, 2011

Yesterday USCIB joined with 33 other business groups on a letter to the leaders of the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee urging them to move forward on the three pending U.S. free trade agreements with Colombia, Korea and Panama, and to work out an agreed approach to Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA).

“We applaud the work of your committees for taking these next steps toward approval of these vital agreements,” the groups wrote. “To level the playing field for trade, create American jobs, and reaffirm U.S. leadership, [we] urge the swift approval of the three agreements and resolution of the differences over Trade Adjustment Assistance by both the House and Senate.”

Today both committees were expected to hold mock markups to move the approval process forward. The House implementing bill does not include TAA, while the Senate implementing bill does.

Staff contact: Rob Mulligan

Business association letter

More on USCIB’s Trade and Investment Committee

ICC and World Customs Organization Strengthen Partnership

Published on July 6, 2011

USCIB’s affiliate the International Chamber of Commerce and the World Customs Organization (WCO) have signed a revised memorandum of understanding that sets out working activities between the two parties.

The signing took place as part of a two-day conference, entitled Open Day for Trade, hosted by WCO at its headquarters in Brussels. The aim of the event was to encourage the sharing of information, knowledge and experience between leaders and experts from both the customs and business communities.

The previous memorandum of understanding, signed in 1996 by WCO and ICC, launched cooperative efforts for promoting and supporting efficiency in customs control and facilitation.

Read more on ICC’s website

 

More on USCIB’s Customs and Trade Facilitation Committee

Business Presses for Multilateral Action on China’s Currency

Published on June 29, 2011

USCIB and an array of other business groups have written to the House and Senate leadership urging that China’s undervalued currency be addressed in the context of multilateral pressure rather than unilateral U.S. punitive measures.  There are a number of proposals in Congress that would seek to compel a revaluation of the yuan through the imposition of new trade barriers to Chinese goods.

“Like Congress and the Administration, we agree that China needs a yuan exchange rate that responds to trade flows and that China should move steadily towards a market-determined exchange rate,” the business groups wrote.  “In addition to continuing U.S. government efforts, our organizations support strong, coordinated and enhanced multilateral pressure through multiple international organizations such as the G-20 and APEC to achieve concrete progress on China’s currency and exchange rate policies.”

The letter warned that unilateral efforts to impose new tariffs on Chinese goods could draw retaliatory moves that would harm U.S. exports to this fast-growing market.  “Moreover, it is doubtful that U.S. action to countervail undervalued currency could meet the WTO’s standards for the application of countervailing duties,” the groups said.

Staff contact: Justine Badimon

Business letter on China’s currency

More on USCIB’s China 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

UN Ramps Up Action on Non-Communicable Diseases

Published on June 23, 2011
Panelists at the luncheon briefing on non-communicable diseases. L-R: Dr. Scott Ratzan (Johnson & Johnson), Louise Kantrow (ICC), Donna Hrinak (PepsiCo), Dr. Karen Sealey (Pan-American Health Organization).
Panelists at the luncheon briefing on non-communicable diseases. L-R: Dr. Scott Ratzan (Johnson & Johnson), Louise Kantrow (ICC), Donna Hrinak (PepsiCo), Dr. Karen Sealey (Pan-American Health Organization).

The United Nations plans to hold a high-level meeting this September in New York on combating non-communicable diseases like cancer and diabetes.  In preparation, USCIB and its affiliate the International Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon briefing at the UN on June 16 on “Multi-Stakeholder Solutions Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases.”  The event was attended by some 80 representatives of UN member states, industry and civil society.

Speakers at the luncheon came from across the spectrum of health policy and business, and included:

  • Alexander Alimov, senior counselor with the Russian mission to the UN
  • Dr. Karen Sealey, special advisor to the Pan-American Health Organization
  • Donna Hrinak, co-chair of the International Food and Beverage Alliance and vice president of global public policy with PepsiCo
  • Dr. Scott Ratzan, chair of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations and vice president of global health with Johnson & Johnson
  • Erica Whinston, senior manager with Qualcomm

The panel was moderated by Louise Kantrow, ICC’s permanent representative to the UN.  Earlier in the day, USCIB and ICC submitted a joint statement to an interactive hearing for civil society.  The statement focused on the importance of tailored, local solutions as part of a broader global effort in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the importance of involving the private sector and the need to take a broad, societal approach.

“NCDs are a societal matter and therefore require whole-of-society and whole-of-government solutions,” the statement said, noting that “all companies have an interest in ensuring they have a healthy and resilient workforce to maintain their competitive edge.”

Staff contact: Helen Medina

Remarks by ICC’s Louise Kantrow to the UN civil society hearing on non-communicable diseases

More on USCIB’s Health Care Working Group

With US Tax Reform Looming Global Experts Meet in Washington

Published on June 22, 2011
L-R: Steven Miller, deputy commissioner for services and enforcement at the Internal Revenue Service, and Bill Sample, corporate vice president of worldwide tax at Microsoft Corp. and chair of USCIB’s Taxation Committee. Mr. Miller told the conference the IRS would move “in the next month or so” against foreign banks that refused to hand over details on American clients suspected of tax evasion.
L-R: Steven Miller, deputy commissioner for services and enforcement at the Internal Revenue Service, and Bill Sample, corporate vice president of worldwide tax at Microsoft Corp. and chair of USCIB’s Taxation Committee. Mr. Miller told the conference the IRS would move “in the next month or so” against foreign banks that refused to hand over details on American clients suspected of tax evasion.

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, USCIB convened its fifth annual tax conference earlier this month in Washington, D.C., focusing again on the work of the 34-nation Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

This 2011 OECD International Tax Conference, which took place June 6 and 7 at the Four Seasons Hotel, provided 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.  The OECD and itsBusiness and Industry Advisory Committee
(BIAC), part of USCIB’s global network, joined in organizing the event.

“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.”

Key topics addressed at the sold-out event included: the latest developments affecting permanent establishments, transfer pricing and intangibles; how countries are working together to improve tax compliance and cooperation; the relevance of the recent revision of the OECD’s Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises for tax planning; and how the OECD works with new members and non-members on tax matters.

Carol Doran Klein, USCIB’s vice president and international tax counsel, and Jeffrey Owens, director of the OECD’s Center for Tax Policy Administration.
Carol Doran Klein, USCIB’s vice president and international tax counsel, and Jeffrey Owens, director of the OECD’s Center for Tax Policy Administration.

Speakers at the event included:

  • Jeffrey Owens, head of the OECD’s Center for Tax Policy and Administration
  • Steven Miller, deputy commissioner of the IRS for services and enforcement
  • Pamela Olson, a partner with Skadden Arps and former assistant secretary of the Treasury for tax policy
  • Thomas Barthold, chief of staff of the Joint Congressional Committee on Taxation
  • Manal Corwin, deputy assistant secretary of the Treasury for international tax affairs
  • Masatsugu Asakawa of the Japanese finance ministry, incoming chair of the OECD Committee on Fiscal Affairs

“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 took place against the backdrop of potentially far-reaching tax reform in the United States only adds to its importance.”

Attendees applauded the substance and organization of this year’s tax conference.  “As always, the event was interesting, well-organized and flawlessly executed,” said Linda H. Fernandez of Eli Lilly.

The conference agenda is available at www.uscibtax.org.  Photos from the event can be accessed by clicking here.

Conference supporting organizations included 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.

Staff contact: Carol Doran Klein

More on USCIB’s Taxation Committee

OECD website

 

Conference Highlights Need for Cooperative Efforts to Rein in Health Care Costs

Published on June 22, 2011

“Governments and the private sector need to work together to offer innovative solutions for health promotion, disease prevention and treatment that will help address the rising health care costs and challenges presented by aging populations,” stated Nicole Denjoy, chair of the Task Force on Health Care Policy at the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD, USCIB’s affiliate.  “We need to move from sick care to health care.”

Speaking to over 100 senior policymakers, business figures and academics gathered in Paris for the OECD 50th Anniversary Health Conference on meeting the challenges of aging and multiple morbidities, co-sponsored by BIAC, Ms. Denjoy, the secretary general of COCIR (European Coordination Committee of the Radiological, Electromedical and Healthcare IT Industry), highlighted the business case for greater collaboration with governments to generate improved health outcomes and greater efficiency in the future.

She said businesses, as contributors to health budgets, employers of older workers, and providers of goods and services, have a vested interest in reducing the overall cost burden, while increasing efficiency and quality of health care.  Close cooperation with governments will help incentivize the business community to make the necessary investments today that will yield the solutions needed for tomorrow.

Despite big improvements in health since the founding of the OECD in 1961, health policies have been slow to adapt to new challenges. Ms. Denjoy said.  Addressing the health care needs of the future requires urgent attention from policymakers as the transformation for the health care system takes years to develop and implement.

Read more on BIAC’s website.

Staff contact: Helen Medina

More on USCIB’s Health Care Working Group

OECD website

 

USCIB’s Ronnie Goldberg Reelected to ILO Governing Body

Published on June 21, 2011
At the International Labor Conference, L-R: John Kloosterman (Littler Mendelson), Kristin Lipke (U.S. Department of Labor), USCIB’s Ronnie Goldberg and John Oswalt (Procter and Gamble).
At the International Labor Conference, L-R: John Kloosterman (Littler Mendelson), Kristin Lipke (U.S. Department of Labor), USCIB’s Ronnie Goldberg and John Oswalt (Procter and Gamble).

USCIB Executive Vice President Ronnie Goldberg was re-elected to the Governing Body of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in a vote  conducted in Geneva last week . The Governing Body is the executive council of the ILO and meets three times annually in Geneva. It takes decisions on policy and establishes the program and budget of the 183 member states of the ILO.

The ILO is a tripartite United Nations agency where representatives of government, business and labor work jointly to promote greater respect for labor rights around the world.  USCIB represents the interests of American business in the ILO through its role as the U.S. affiliate of the International Organization of Employers (IOE).  Ms. Goldberg also serves as the IOE’s regional vice chair for North America.

In a related development, Adam Greene, USCIB’s vice president for labor and corporate responsibility, was recently named by Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis to the National Advisory Committee for the Labor Provisions of U.S. Trade Agreements, which provides advice on the implementation of labor chapters of U.S. free trade agreements as well as the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation.

The ILO Governing Body election took place during the annual International Labor Conference, at which a new international labor standard aimed at improving conditions for domestic workers was adopted. The U.S. employers’ delegation to this year’s ILO conference was headed by Edward E. Potter, director of global workplace rights with The Coca-Cola Company and chair of USCIB’s Labor and Employment Policy Committee.  In addition to Ms. Goldberg and Mr. Greene, the delegation included John Kloosterman (Littler Mendelson), Kent McVay (Coca-Cola), John Oswalt (Procter and Gamble) and Kevin Sullivan (IBM).

Other outcomes of this year’s conference included guidance on labor inspection and a decision to negotiate an ILO recommendation on social security.  Heads of state and government addressing the delegates included German ChancellorAngela Merkel and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Staff contact: Adam Greene

More on USCIB’s Labor and Employment Policy Committee

ILO website

Global Business Welcomes UN Special Representatives Human Rights Report

Published on June 10, 2011

The three main pillars of USCIB’s global business network – the International Organization of Employers, the International Chamber of Commerce, and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD – have joined together in welcoming the final report of Professor John Ruggie, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s special representative on business and human rights.  On May 30, after six years of study and consultation, Professor Ruggie released his final report, entitled “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework.”

In their joint statement to the UN Human Rights Council, the IOE, ICC and BIAC thanked Professor Ruggie for “his dedication and tireless effort over the past six years to develop open communication and consensus among all stakeholders, which has been a significant part of his contribution to the way in which these issues are addressed.”

They continued “Our organizations have actively engaged with [Professor Ruggie] throughout his mandate by participating directly in numerous consultations, submitting joint comments or statements on various reports produced by the mandate, and engaging in ongoing communication with [him] and his team during the entire mandate.”

The groups endorsed the report’s “Protect, Respect, Remedy” framework, which clearly distinguishes the roles of national governments and third parties, including business enterprises, in upholding human rights.

The joint statement said: “Business is committed to meeting its responsibility to respect human rights and we fully expect that states and other stakeholders will do the same within their respective duties and responsibilities. Our organizations also remain committed to working with the UN Human Rights Council and other stakeholders during the implementation phase to advance the framework and the Guiding Principles in a way that creates a sense of ownership of the issues among our members, which we see as a key success factor in dissemination and adoption of the Principles.

Staff contact: Adam Greene

More on USCIB’s Corporate Responsibility Committee