Policy Areas Archives

USCIB Joins Industry in Statement Supporting Digital Trade in Africa

Published on August 2, 2023

USCIB joined 11 other industry associations to urge negotiators to develop comprehensive and in-depth pan-African digital trade commitments for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

According to the statement, Africa is positioned to become a global leader in developing global transformation opportunities across a multitude of sectors. In order to facilitate this, access to the global digital economy must be a key part of the continent’s strategy for growth and development. A digital transformation for Africa will improve innovation, facilitate job creation, and ease efforts for achieving equity, particularly for micro/small/medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The continent holds an enormous market for job opportunities that incorporate emerging digital technologies, and facilitating this transition through the removal of infrastructure barriers is crucial.

The statement calls for “proactive efforts by African leaders” to support clear digital trade rules for the AfCFTA and demands a steady commitment to the digital transformation by implementing these rules in an efficient manner. Specifically, USCIB and industry leaders urge that AfCFTA establishes a moratorium on tariffs and customs formalities for electronic transmissions, prohibits restrictions on the cross-border flow of data and forced localization of computing facilities and implements transparent and accountable regulatory practices for digital trade.

USCIB encourages African leaders to support growth on the continent by implementing clear and strong digital trade rules that are founded on best practices and supported by a commitment to transparency and digital innovation.

The full statement can be found here.

USCIB Recognizes World Day Against Trafficking and Stands Firm With Global Community to Eradicate Trafficking

Published on July 31, 2023

New York, N.Y., July 31, 2023—The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) supports the global community in recognizing World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and emphasizes that trafficking in all forms is unacceptable. The U.S. business community continues to help combat trafficking globally.

Held annually on July 30, this day commemorates the victims of trafficking and provides survivors with an opportunity to make their voices heard. USCIB is proud of the work that our members have done, and continue to do, to prevent and end trafficking throughout their global supply chains.

USCIB also welcomes the recent release of the State Department’s Report, 2023 Trafficking in Persons, which raises further awareness of human trafficking and highlights the fight against it on a global level. The report calls for global partnerships between government, business and civil society to share resources and information and to leverage technology to better address the nexus between finance and human trafficking.

As both the report and global trafficking studies conclude, this issue’s scale remains vast: every year, tens of millions of people are exploited.

USCIB looks forward to working with the State Department and other government agencies, civil society and partners to eradicate all forms of human trafficking.

Together with our members and our global affiliates, such as the International Organization of Employers (IOE), the representative of employers at the ILO, we will continue to bring forward private sector solutions and resources to combat trafficking in all its forms.

About USCIB: The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) advances the global interests of American business. We do so through advocacy for an open system of world trade, finance, and investment, where business can flourish and contribute to economic growth, human welfare, and environmental protection.  We play a leading role in informing the negotiation and adoption of international labor standards, and in human rights, labor, and environmental   policy deliberations at the United Nations, OECD, and ILO, as the sole U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Business at OECD (BIAC) and the International Organization of Employers (IOE). In addition, USCIB is the only U.S. business organization with standing at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and is recognized at the UN Environment Program (UNEP), UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD).

 

OECD, BIAC and USCIB Meet to Discuss Trade Strategy, Anti-Illicit Trade

Published on July 26, 2023
L-R: David Luna (Business at OECD & USCIB), Megan Giblin (USCIB), Susan Fridy (OECD), Piotr Stryszowski (OECD)

The USCIB Anti-Illicit Trade Committee (AITC) hosted a joint event with the OECD and Business at OECD’s (BIAC) Anti-Illicit Trade Expert Group (AITEG) at the OECD Washington Center earlier this month. The meeting included participants from USCIB member companies, other BIAC National Federations and their members, as well as OECD Member Countries.

According to USCIB Senior Director for Customs and Trade Facilitation Megan Giblin, who manages the USCIB AITC, the meeting focused on the introduction of new BIAC AITEG Vice Chairs—Susan Wilson (Intel) and Monica Ramirez (AB In-Bev). It also provided an opportunity for participants to hear about OECD updates, including the transition of the Countering Illicit Trade workstream to the Trade Committee, OECD Trade Strategy, Free Trade Zones (FTZs) and afforded the opportunity for an informal intersessional discussion on a recent Informal Expert Group, which is working on the project, The Role of E-commerce Platforms in Illicit Trade in Fakes, that met in Sofia, Bulgaria.

OECD Senior Economist Piotr Stryszowski provided updates regarding the ongoing work programs of the OECD Working Party on Countering Illicit Trade (WP-CIT), including efforts to suppress illicit trade through increased transparency and analysis of country-specific impacts. In addition, USCIB and other BIAC network members and OECD member countries’ delegates received updates regarding the AITEG’s recent activities and future objectives with regards to the OECD work on enhancing evidence and gauging best practices to address the illicit trade challenges in e-commerce.

“Through our vibrant partnership with the Business at OECD AITEG and the OECD’s WP-CIT, we are committed to work with OECD Member Countries to counter the harms caused by dangerous and illicit goods that have serious effects on our environment, workforce, innovation, and the health, safety and security of our people,” said USCIB Anti-Illicit Trade Committee and BIAC AITEG Chair David Luna. “As the WP-CIT advances this important work within the OECD Trade Committee, we must build on these efforts, and chart it to greater policy heights and action-oriented initiatives, projects and cross-sectoral collaborations, using holistic, whole-of-society approaches.”

The next meeting of the E-Commerce Informal Expert Working Group will take place in Washington, DC, the week of October 9, 2023.

USCIB Presents Public Comments During CBP Green Trade Innovation and Incentives Forum

Published on July 20, 2023

On July 11, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) hosted the inaugural CBP Green Trade Innovation and Incentives Forum at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Alexandria, VA.

The Forum was an opportunity for trade, technology, NGOs, government interagency personnel and others interested in Green Trade to share ideas related to green trade innovation, incentivize clean and sustainable supply chains and environmental stewardship, and international trade decarbonization.

The Forum followed the launch of the CBP Green Trade Strategy last June. The Strategy established strategic goals and guiding principles to focus CBP’s efforts to address climate change in the context of the trade mission and provide a framework to incentivize green trade, strengthen CBP’s environmental enforcement posture, accelerate green innovation and improve climate resilience and resource efficiency. The Forum also followed a Department of Homeland Security and U.S. CBP Federal Register Notice (FRN) regarding Green Trade Innovation and Incentives from earlier in 2023.

During the Forum’s panel on “Public Comments on Green Trade Themes” USCIB was one of approximately 25 organizations selected by CBP to present. USCIB Senior Director Customs and Trade Facilitation Megan Giblin was invited to present USCIB’s consensus public FRN submission.

“Our submission developed through member input, provides a thoughtful prioritization of green practices that should be considered or applied by CBP,” said Giblin. “We believe, CBP’s green efforts should prioritize a focus on trade facilitation and partnership, critical factors for achieving meaningful green outcomes. Key to establishing an effective green customs approach is a well-functioning interagency process that encourages dialogue among agencies, and that delivers meaningful facilitation and benefits to members of the Trade.”

Giblin highlighted that other countries look to the U.S. as a guide in the customs space and efforts undertaken at U.S. domestic level are watched closely by other customs authorities around the world.

Green Customs, at the domestic and international level, is a priority topic for the USCIB Customs and Trade Facilitation Committee; USCIB has been part of the dialogue with CBP from the informal stages of its Green Strategy pre-introduction until now. USCIB hosted several discussions with the team leading this effort within CBP, which led to the development of USCIB’s original prioritization paper in early 2023 that served as the basis of USCIB’s FRN submission. USCIB remains committed to continuing its partnership with CBP to provide inputs on CBP’s Green Strategy and USCIB’s related prioritization efforts.

“Congratulations to CBP on the event and for their efforts to engage the Trade community and to seek ideas related to green trade innovation and incentives of clean and sustainable supply chains and trade decarbonization,” said Giblin. “Customs and trade facilitation, as well as climate and environment, are two priority areas for USCIB.  We are uniquely positioned to provide inputs, advice and prioritization concerning where industry believes CBP should be focusing its efforts.”

USCIB’s Moving the Needle Creates a Vision for Private Sector Solutions for SDGs, More Effective UN

Published on July 20, 2023

During the first week of the UN High Level Political Forum, USCIB’s Moving the Needle (MTN) Initiative convened a side event at APCO Worldwide, “I for Implementation: SDG9 In Action.” The July 12 event highlighted successful collaborative partnerships reflecting SDG9’s emphasis on Industry, Infrastructure and Innovation. According to USCIB Senior VP for Policy and Global Strategy Norine Kennedy, prioritizing SDG9 will be catalytic to getting society back on track across all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and represents a departure point for concrete sustainability and solidarity initiatives from business.

Speakers from government missions, the UN community, NGOs and USCIB members Bayer, Mastercard and Microsoft highlighted opportunities to mobilize the private sector working with governments and other stakeholders through and with the UN system via collaboration, the deployment of innovative technologies and tools, and an emphasis on resilient infrastructure and related investments.

L-R: Norine Kennedy (USCIB), Jonathan Shrier (US Mission to the UN)

U.S. Deputy Representative to the UN Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) Jonathan Shrier opened the event with a statement of U.S. commitment to collaborating with business to bring forward and widely deploy practical solutions. He said: “The bottom line is this—we can meet even the most daunting global challenges if we translate our commitment to the SDGs into meaningful action at all levels,” pursuing partnerships with the private sector.

Mastercard and USCIB Board member Ravi Aurora

Mastercard’s Senior Vice President, Global Public Policy & Government Affairs Ravi Aurora, who serves on USCIB’s Board, reflected on the linkages across different forms of infrastructure that innovation makes possible, such as digital access to financial services, and how one innovation in infrastructure has a multiplier effect of benefits to communities.

Dr. Venkata Kishore, VP and global head of veg seeds smallholders and sustainability at Bayer, provided examples of innovation deployment through partnerships with local communities that have enabled energy access and food security.

At the halfway point to 2030 when the UN Sustainable Development Goals are due, the UN has assessed that only 12% of the 160+ targets are on track, and most others are at risk of failure without additional action. It was against this backdrop that the last HLPF prior to the SDG Summit in September met to take stock. In addition to SDG9, other areas of discussion at the HLPF included clean water, energy and cities. USCIB was present to inform deliberations with business experience and recommendations to reinvigorate progress towards the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

DPR for Poland Joanna Skoczek speaks on a panel

Addressing the closing session, USCIB Policy Manager for Environment and Sustainable Development Agnes Vinblad called on the HLPF “to prioritize and strengthen problem-solving and practical dialogue involving the private sector at national, regional and global levels, and to empower and mainstream public private partnerships here at the UN.”

“At this time of concern about too slow progress toward the SDGs, USCIB’s MTN initiative has argued that the international community needs to assess where the most impact for implementation can be set into motion, and to enlist the capabilities, expertise and resources that are unique to business,” added Kennedy. This is a major focus of MTN, which is bringing forward private sector tools, metrics and partnerships to advance sustainability, science, innovation and solidarity solutions.

MTN will deliver recommendations to the SDG Summit for inclusive and practical multilateralism that gets the SDG’s moving at pace and scale.

For more information about MTN, contact Carina Sølling Damm.

USCIB Invited to Participate in Review of Investment Contracts at UNIDROIT

Published on July 19, 2023

USCIB has been invited to participate in a new workstream to develop guidance for modernization and standardization of international investment contracts.

The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) and the International Chamber of Commerce’s Institute of World Business Law (ICC Institute) have launched a Working Group on International Investment Contracts. The Working Group will explore not only the interaction between the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts and common provisions in international investment contracts, but also recent developments in international investment law, such as the increasing focus on corporate social responsibility and sustainability. USCIB member Lauren Mandell, USCIB General Counsel Nancy Thevenin, and USCIB Vice President for International Investment and Trade Policy Alice Slayton Clark will serve as official observers.

“This complements the work that USCIB is undertaking as a non-governmental delegate to Working Group III of the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), which is negotiating reforms to the investor state dispute settlement process,” said Clark.

According to Clark, by participating in the UNIDROIT-ICC process, USCIB demonstrates its commitment to ensuring that business interests are advanced as the world reevaluates how to address investor rights in laws and practices. “While investment contracts currently are uncommon outside of concession contracts in fields like energy and infrastructure, they may become more important as some nations turn away from ISDS,” added Clark.

The first Working Group session will take place October 23-25, 2023, at the UNIDROIT headquarters in Rome, Italy.

USCIB Applauds Election of Ian Saunders to World Customs Organization Secretary General

Published on July 11, 2023
Left to right: Jerry Cook (Hanesbrands), Ian Saunders, Megan Giblin, Nicole Bivens Collinson (Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg PA) 

Washington D.C., July 11, 2023–The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) applauds the election on June 24, 2023, of Ian Saunders (U.S.) as the new Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO). Saunders, who currently serves as deputy assistant secretary, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, was selected by the majority of WCO members to lead the organization for the next five years. He begins his term on January 1, 2024.

Saunders was chosen as the new Secretary General (SG) during a vote that was taken by secret paper ballot at the 141 and 142 Sessions of the WCO Council, the highest decision–making body at the WCO, June 22 – 24 in Brussels, Belgium. The Council brings together the customs director generals of the WCO’s 185 member countries. Per the WCO: “The WCO Secretary General is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the WCO Secretariat.”

Since January 1, 2009, the WCO has been led by SG Dr. Kunio Mikuriya of Japan. He was elected to serve as SG in June 2008. USCIB has enjoyed, over the years, the opportunity to welcome SG Mikuriya to participate in dialogues with leadership and members.

“We thank Kunio for his leadership and engagement for the past 15 years,” expressed USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson.

“Saunders’ election to WCO SG, represents a return to U.S. thoughtful and experienced leadership at the WCO,” said Megan Giblin, USCIB senior director for Customs and Trade Facilitation. “USCIB has advocated for increased U.S. engagement and leadership at the only global body authorized to speak on customs matters which are inherently technical and complex.”

During his campaign Saunders stated, “While respecting the WCO’s rich past, there is a need to innovate and adapt to modern challenges. I intend to lead the Organization by forging strong and enduring public-private partnerships, leveraging technology, promoting inclusivity for effective global Customs cooperation and ensuring transparency and openness as fundamental principles of good governance.”

“We believe Ian’s leadership skills, substantive knowledge, in customs and more broadly international trade, will make him a superb SG at the WCO,” added Robinson.

USCIB expressed its strong public support of Saunders very early in his campaign. USCIB appreciates the opportunity to have worked with and support the U.S. campaign team and process and have welcomed Saunders on numerous occasions to discuss, provide inputs into and inform members about his campaign platform.

“We have always believed that Ian was the right choice to head this heavily technical global customs body. We support Ian and his intent to raise the bar for customs globally and look forward to continued engagement with our USG partners as well as in collaboration with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), WCO observers, on technical matters before this critical customs body,” said Giblin.

More information can be found at:

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. USCIB is the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and Business at OECD (BIAC). More at www.uscib.org.

Global Associations Request Consultation With India on Proposed Telecoms Bill

Published on July 11, 2023

USCIB joined nearly a dozen other associations, such as BSA, ITI and the App Association, to request a consultation with the government of India on India’s proposed Telecommunications Bill. India is in the process of finalizing a second draft of the Bill.

The associations, which represent global companies that develop, sell or rely on digital technologies and services, support the Government of India’s commitment to promoting digital inclusion and catalyzing the next generation of digitally enabled economic growth.

The letter states: India is a global technology leader that creates and supplies goods and services to contribute to a productive, competitive, and innovative global economy and society. Thoughtful regulatory approaches have been critical to that success.

To read the letter, please click here.

Wanner Speaks at UN Stakeholder Meeting on Security and Use of ICTs

Published on July 11, 2023

USCIB Vice President for ICT Policy Barbara Wanner joined a stakeholder consultation alongside other non-governmental organizations in an informal dialogue of the United Nations’ Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on security and the use of information and communications technologies (ICT’s) (2021-2025).

According to Wanner, the OEWG is mandated to further develop rules, norms and principles of responsible behavior for governments related to ICT security, such as information and data, as well as possible cooperative measures to prevent and counter threats.

Wanner’s intervention focused on three points; timely involvement of the business community, especially during cybersecurity incidents, a shared approach to capacity building and the importance of convening experts on the impact of AI, quantum computing and other technologies on international security.

“As UN members states consider how to harness these technologies to enhance security – as well as address potential risks they pose – we urge you to include stakeholders to ensure a holistic and thoughtful examination of what is new, what is different and what warrants policy and regulatory adaptions,” said Wanner.

Hosted by the OEWG Chair, the Permanent Representative of Singapore to the UN Burhan Gafoor, the dialogue provided an opportunity for continued interaction between the stakeholder community and governments.

This stakeholder consultation was scheduled ahead of the fifth substantive session of the OEWG taking place later this month at the UN headquarters in New York.

Robinson Covers BIAC General Assembly and OECD Ministerial Council Meetings

Published on June 21, 2023

USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson traveled to Paris earlier this month for the Business at OECD (BIAC) General Assembly and the OECD Ministerial Council. 

According to Robinson, one focus of the General Assembly was the release of its 2023 Economic Policy Survey, which revealed cautious but slightly optimistic business sentiment despite a tumultuous year.  

As per the survey, 57% of the responding national business federations from BIAC’s network regard the current business environment as “good”, compared to only 10% in the previous year. However, business concerns remain significant about energy prices (83%), food prices (61%) and overall geopolitical tensions (62%), and key challenges for companies include staff shortages (80%), increased cost of human resources (55%), and market uncertainty (57%).  

BIAC shared these results and the Economic Policy Survey with the OECD during the June 7-8 OECD Ministerial Council. The Ministerial was held under the theme, Securing a Resilient Future: Shared Values and Global Partnerships. BIAC’s insights included business concerns about the war in Ukraine, which has exacerbated inflation rate developments, labor shortages and energy prices. BIAC also raises concerns about supply chains disruptions, the need for structural reforms around infrastructure, digitalization, regulatory burdens and green transition. 

The Ministerial took place amid persistent tension in world affairs, including Russia’s illegal war in the Ukraine, which has resulted in insurmountable human suffering in the Ukraine, as well as humanitarian and economic crises globally. Additionally, economies around the globe continue to face challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic and compounding challenges around climate change. 

“In light of these persistent challenges in the international system, we cannot underestimate the importance of multilateral cooperation,” said Robinson. “USCIB will continue working with the OECD, through Business at OECD, to support our common values and a rules-based order, overcome shared obstacles, and achieve societal and economic progress.” 

For more information on BIAC and the OECD Ministerial Council, please see the links below: 

BIAC Statement to the OECD on Securing a Resilient Future: Shared Values and Global Partnerships 

2023 Business at OECD Economic Policy Survey 

BIAC Year Highlights: How We Delivered Value to Our Members (May 2022-May 2023)