Policy Areas Archives

USCIB Statement on Selection of Samantha Power to Lead USAID

Published on January 14, 2021
Photo source: www.samanthapower.com

New York, N.Y., January 14, 2021 — President and CEO of the United States Council for International Business (USCIB) Peter Robinson released a statement today in reaction to President-elect Joe Biden’s selection of Ambassador Samantha Power to lead the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID):

“We welcome President-elect Biden’s selection of Ambassador Samantha Power to lead the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID’s mission of humanitarian assistance and sustainable development matters to business, and USCIB looks forward to continuing to work with the dedicated people of USAID to advance American interests in global institutions and in the world marketplace. 

“Vigorous U.S. engagement in multilateral institutions will be indispensable to advance and scale worldwide progress in the four priorities of the incoming Biden/Harris Administration: defeating COVID-19, jump-starting economic recovery, addressing climate change, and promoting racial justice.

“USCIB also welcomes the Biden Administration’s commitment to the UN Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. We encourage attention to opportunities to improve the impact and effectiveness of the 2030 Agenda process and to enhance i opportunities for meaningful and substantive involvement of business and other important societal partners. We call on the U.S. to diversify and increase its SDG2-oriented engagement in international institutions where USAID plays a key role, including the World Food Program, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Committee on World Food Security.

“American business has already joined forces with our government, the international community and other stakeholders to respond to the pandemic crisis with cascading global implications for economic development. We encourage Ambassador Power to champion active business participation in policy dialogue, partnership, and implementation on development and humanitarian areas in UN bodies such as UNDP, UNCTAD and UNICEF, among others. Building a trusted and recognized working relationship with business will be key as the international community faces new challenges that require mobilizing the private sector and society as a whole.

“We recognize USAID has consistently pursued partnership with businesses — including local business communities — to advance its mission and has highlighted the importance of economic growth as a pathway out of poverty. USCIB looks forward to a new chapter of American-led multilateral development cooperation in which USAID plays an indispensable role. USCIB members are ready to dialogue with Ambassador Power to inform priorities and pursue strategic multilateral involvement in international development that brings benefits at home and abroad.”

About USCIB: USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and prudent regulation. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms with operations in every region of the world. As the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Organization of Employers (IOE), and Business at OECD (BIAC), and as the sole U.S. business group with standing in ECOSOC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. More at www.uscib.org. 

Global Business Statement on Safeguarding International Data Flows

Published on January 13, 2021

USCIB joined dozens of global associations in a letter to the EU expressing concern to ongoing developments in the European Union on international data flows. The letter notes that international data flows are an integral pillar of global trade, and any disruption to their free flow constitutes a major challenge to every economic sector.

“The recent developments in the European Union are creating deep uncertainty throughout the world, as the wide geographic variety of co-signatories to this statement demonstrates,” emphasized USCIB Vice President for ICT Policy Barbara Wanner.

In addition, the repercussions of an unduly restrictive approach to data flows, the letter notes it will also hit hard more traditional European industries, as the recent BusinessEurope-led coalition statement underlines.

“We underline the importance of providing certainty for all businesses and their data transfers to third countries,” the letter notes. “Any disruption must be avoided in order to minimise negative economic consequences, particularly in the wake of the global COVID-19 crisis and the economic recovery phase that we will enter in 2021. Crucially, our organizations believe that this can be achieved while respecting European data protection law, if a pragmatic and flexible approach prevails.”

USCIB Statement on Riots and Electoral College Certification

Published on January 7, 2021
AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Washington, D.C., January 7, 2021: The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) and its members were deeply troubled by lawless efforts by some to disrupt and derail American democracy yesterday, January 6. The mettle of our nation’s governance and dedication to upholding American values were tested like never before. Orderly transition, rule of law and the right to peacefully express views are fundamental for the U.S. private sector, and abuses of those bedrock principles cannot be tolerated. They undermine and endanger our economy, our society and the international community. USCIB calls on all Americans to respect our democratic institutions, and support a peaceful transfer of power.

On the day after, we are encouraged by the determination of Congress to certify the electoral college outcomes in spite of the shameful invasion of the Capitol and the chaos that ensued. Our system of government withstood an unprecedented test, laboring overnight to discharge its sacred duty to voters and to the American people. We thank the members of government at all levels, as well as police and security forces that persevered to enable this resolution. 

We are proud to welcome incoming President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and newly-elected Senators and Representatives. We resolutely stand with you in optimism and readiness to defend our democratic system and to work with you to recover, and to further the core principles of the United States for which we are known and respected the world over. Together with our global partners, we look forward to exerting business leadership to foster international collaboration and partnership through inclusive multilateralism.

About USCIB: USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world, generating $5 trillion in annual revenues and employing over 11 million people worldwide. As the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Organization of Employers, and Business at OECD (BIAC), USCIB helps to provide 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.

The USCIB Foundation’s COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative Lead Scott Ratzan on MSNBC

Published on January 6, 2021

Dr. Scott Ratzan, who helps lead The USCIB Foundation’s Business Partners to CONVINCE  initiative, spoke on MSNBC on January 3, 2021 on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine and the critical role of all sectors, including business, to engage in order to win “the war” against the coronavirus.

Business Partners to CONVINCE is a vaccine confidence initiative led by USCIB, The USCIB Foundation, and Business Partners for Sustainable Development.

USCIB Warns Against Tariffs on Vietnam at USTR Public Hearing

Published on January 6, 2021

As the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) conducts its Section 301 investigation on Vietnam’s currency valuation, USCIB Senior Director for Trade, Investment and Financial Services Eva Hampl testified before USTR at a public hearing on December 29, warning USTR that tariffs on Vietnamese goods would be detrimental to both American companies and consumers.

“Putting in place trade penalties, such as additional tariffs against Vietnam, would further work against the supply chain and national security interests of the United States,” said Hampl. “At a time when policymakers, companies, and non-government stakeholders have coalesced around the need for trustworthy and resilient supply chains, Vietnam is strongly positioned to play a leading role in that ecosystem. It is an increasingly important security partner of the United States and possesses strong capabilities in technology manufacturing. Vietnam’s presence in supply chains can serve as a complement to manufacturing in other trustworthy locations in Asia and other regions, including the United States.”

Other agencies represented on the panel included the U.S. Departments of Commerce/International Trade Administration, State, Treasury, Agriculture, and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Hampl received several follow-up questions to her testimony from State Department Foreign Service Officer Carter Wilbur.

According to Hampl, the majority of the witnesses pushed back against the use of tariffs in their comments to address any issues related to currency valuation. In a report released just a week before the hearing, Treasury labeled Vietnam as a currency manipulator. Most of the witnesses during the hearing indicated that whether or not this may be true, tariffs are not the appropriate vehicle to address this issue. Moreover, there should be deference to the Treasury process in resolving any currency related concerns.

USCIB Announces 2021 Priority Issues for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

Published on January 6, 2021

Washington D.C., January 5, 2020 — The United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which represents many of America’s leading global companies, appreciates and welcomes the committed partnerships that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has established with the private sector to address the many economic, trade and regulatory opportunities available to foster greater integration between APEC’s twenty-one member economies. Each year, USCIB issues a statement outlining priorities and recommendations that USCIB and its members would like to see advanced in that particular APEC year; we are pleased to announce and make available our 2021 APEC Priority Issues and Recommendations paper:

USCIB commends the leadership of Malaysia in 2020, particularly under the challenging circumstances of adjusting to virtual meetings in the face of an unprecedented global pandemic. Our members see the New Zealand host year as an important opportunity to continue essential work in APEC working groups and to set topics for major outcomes and deliverables. USCIB members are eager to learn more about key initiatives for New Zealand during its host year and how business can help achieve these initiatives. Further, USCIB members are looking forward to Thailand’s host year in 2022. We stand ready to provide relevant inputs into the establishment of goals and objectives. The policy priorities of USCIB reflect our longstanding and overarching objectives of promoting open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development, and corporate responsibility. The priorities and recommendations detailed in this document are practical recommendations that can be taken to address some of the challenges for governments and businesses in the APEC region.

There remain ongoing global business concerns that the U.S. government and APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) members should consider as they identify priorities for the upcoming year. USCIB members have identified key issues that are detailed in this paper. We view this APEC Priority Issues and Recommendations policy paper as a “living document”, which is updated on an annual basis at the time of the CEO Summit, and as necessary following Senior Official Meetings throughout the year. The priorities in this statement are not exhaustive, in many cases they are “living issues”, and we will continue to work with our members on emerging and developing issues. We would be pleased to address any questions and discuss any of these recommendations in greater detail.

About USCIB:

USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world, generating $5 trillion in annual revenues and employing over 11 million people worldwide. As the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Organization of Employers, and Business at OECD (known as BIAC), USCIB helps to provide 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.

USCIB Hosts Briefing with USG Negotiating Team on Investor-State Dispute Settlement

Published on December 22, 2020

USCIB hosted a briefing with the U.S. negotiating team on Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) Reform at the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) on December 16. UNCITRAL’s Working Group III focuses on the issue at UNCITRAL and held its thirty-ninth session in early October. Members had the opportunity to discuss current developments with Karin Kizer, attorney-advisor in the Office of Private International Law in the Office of the Legal Adviser of the Department of State, and lead negotiator on ISDS Reform at UNCITRAL. She was also joined by Khalil Gharbieh, director for Investment at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), as well as colleagues from the State Department.

“Investment protections are more important than ever, with global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) having dropped dramatically due to the current crisis,” said USCIB Senior Director for Trade, Investment and Financial Servcies Eva Hampl. “Increasing investment flows should be a priority for countries as they look to recover from the pandemic. Mechanisms like ISDS are critical in ensuring that investors have adequate recourse as they invest in foreign markets, and are a factor as decisions are made where to invest.”

According to Hampl, the discussions at UNCITRAL are driven by the European Union’s proposal for a multilateral investment court, a proposal that reared its head during the negotiations of a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). USCIB, having official observer status at UNCITRAL, has been an active participant in the meetings of the working group, most recently at the meetings in October.

Subsequent to the meetings, USCIB together with the Corporate Counsel International Arbitration Group (CCIAG) submitted comments on Appointment of Arbitrators, Appellate Mechanism, and Enforcement.

The next session is scheduled to take place February 8-12, 2021 in Vienna.

USCIB Encourages Biden Environmental Nominees to Engage on Multilateral Issues

Published on December 21, 2020

New York, N.Y., December 18, 2020: The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) issued a statement today by its President and CEO, Peter Robinson, commending the nominations of Michael Regan, for Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and Brenda Mallory to lead the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ).

“USCIB members are strongly committed to advancing environmental protection through innovation and investment in the global marketplace. We believe that EPA and CEQ play crucial roles in shaping U.S. international environmental policy, not just in connection with climate change but in other priority areas, such as pursuing nature-based solutions, circular economies and responsible chemicals risk management. 2021 will be a year of important decision-points in the multilateral system, looking ahead to the fifth UN Environment Assembly and eventual thirty-year anniversary of the Rio Earth Summit; vigorous U.S. engagement in those deliberations will be vital for economic prosperity and environmental stewardship at home and abroad.

“USCIB sees opportunities to pursue synergies across international and domestic actions for enhanced environmental benefits, and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), delivering a recovery that improves environmental quality, creates jobs and stimulates public-private partnerships. Since 1992, USCIB has represented U.S. business in support of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement. In addition, USCIB has been the voice of American business at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), and other multilateral environmental deliberations and forums. USCIB is fully committed to international cooperation and to partnership with our government to advance American private sector-driven economic prosperity and environmental stewardship at home and abroad. In our view, it is critical to continue to focus on and champion substantive engagement of U.S. business across the UN system on key environmental topics.

“USCIB and its members are ready to assist the incoming Administration to develop and implement market-oriented environmental solutions and measures, working with the international community and in consultation with the American private sector. As the U.S. affiliate of Business at OECD (BIAC), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the International Organization of Employers (IOE), and with its own standing at the UNFCCC, UNEP and at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), USCIB is uniquely placed to scale and amplify these opportunities across the UN system, and in the OECD and the WTO.”

About USCIB: USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and prudent regulation. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms with operations in every region of the world. As the U.S. affiliate of leading international business organizations and as the sole U.S. business group with standing in ECOSOC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. More at www.uscib.org.

Policy Contact: VP for Strategic International Engagement, Energy and Environment Norine Kennedy (nkennedy@uscib.org)

USCIB Commemorates Human Rights Day and Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Published on December 16, 2020

New York, N.Y., December 10, 2020: The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) issued the following statement on occasion of Human Rights Day today:

“On this Human Rights Day, USCIB stands with the global community in commemorating the important milestone of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. The UDHR rightly proclaims the inalienable rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.The coverage of these rights includes LGBTI people too.

“USCIB especially welcomes the theme of this year’s Human Rights Day, “Recover Better – Stand Up for Human Rights,” and is dedicated to encouraging, advocating for and promoting human rights in business though sound regulations, greater respect for rule of law and greater business community involvement. The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated how important and fragile respect for human rights can be, while simultaneously demonstrating that challenges can present important opportunities to collaborate for solutions. We are proud of the actions undertaken by our membership of multinational businesses, law firms and trade associations to ensure that people and planet are protected during the pandemic.”As we come together as a global community to rebuild throughout and beyond COVID-19, USCIB and our members are committed to working with governments, the private sector and other stakeholders to advance sustainable and human rights-based solutions for all. This includes those global business organizations for which we serve as the U.S. affiliate, the International Chamber of Commerce, the International Organization of Employers and Business at OECD (known as ‘BIAC’).”

About USCIB: USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and prudent regulation. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms with operations in every region of the world. As the U.S. affiliate of the leading international business organizations, and as the sole U.S. business group with standing in the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide, and works to facilitate international trade and investment. More at www.uscib.org.