Justin Hoffmann, Deputy Assistant for Market Access and Industrial Competitiveness at USTR meets with USCIB.

USCIB is committed to pursuing a broad trade and customs agenda. USCIB promotes elimination of trade barriers and harmonization of global customs and border procedures and focuses on supporting the expedited, cost-effective movement of goods across borders in full compliance with import requirements.

What’s at Stake for US Business

  • Unnecessary and burdensome barriers to trade can cost companies and national economies billions of dollars.
  • Global convergence and modernization of customs practices are necessary for efficient supply chains.
  • Trade facilitation (TF) and robust implementation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) are critical to members of the trade. The TFA promises to streamline customs processes and procedures, provide increased transparency, predictability, and expedite the movement of goods across borders around the world.

Key issues include:

  • Confidential Business Information (CBI) and Customs Digitalization, ensuring necessary protections of CBI are in place, this includes in the context of data protection, data sharing, and the interoperability of Single Windows.
  • CTPAT/Trusted Trader, Minimum Security Criteria (MSC), Mutual Recognition, and World Customs Organization (WCO) Safe Framework.
  • Customs Classification and Valuation, at the domestic and international levels (WTO and WCO as applicable) ensuring industry engagement and issue resolution.
  • Customs Modernization & Reform, Good Governance & Oversight.
  • Customs and TF Provisions of US Free Trade Agreements or Initiatives, securing better outcomes for inclusion of customs and TF provisions, and ensuring compliance.
  • E-Commerce in the Customs space, focusing on the cross-border movement of physical goods acquired via any online means (e.g., WCO E-Commerce Framework of Standards).
  • Expedited and full implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.
  • Forced Labor Import Ban WROs and Findings (Section 307, UFLPA), providing guidance and direction.
  • Rules of Origin, at the domestic and international level (WTO and WCO, as applicable), ensuring industry engagement and issue resolution. This includes all origin issues, including the preferential and non-preferential origin space, specific rules of origin (RoO) as well as determinations and proof.
  • Reduction / Elimination of customs and TF Barriers with US Trading Partners.
  • Tariffs, the role of Global Trade Compliance organizations today, and Customs implementation of Tariffs (Executive Orders, Presidential Proclamations) and enforced compliance, including increased audits.

USCIB Actions

Mike Rousek speaks at APEC-related events in Mexico City.

  • At the WTO, where we support expedited and full implementation of the WTO TFA and work with the US government (USG) on matters before the Committee on Trade Facilitation, Committee on Customs Valuation, and Committee on Import licensing, as well as efforts to secure updated market access schedules.
  • At the WCO, where we represent ICC as authorized representatives to the WCO Harmonized System Committee (HSC) and Review Subcommittee (RSC) meetings, advocate for implementation of global customs modernization policies, actively and continuously provide inputs on the WCO E-Commerce Framework of Standards (including as part of ICC consensus process), work in collaboration with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to provide thoughtful inputs to global customs workstreams, and support technical classification, rules of origin, and valuation inputs.
  • At APEC, where we advocate for core CTFC priorities such as the protection of confidential business information (CBI) as we move toward greater digitalization in the customs space; work with USG partners to support workshops/panels; and focus on streamlining the supply chain and improving trade facilitation in the region by representing members and consensus views before the Alliance for Supply Chain Connectivity as well as Customs – Business Dialogue.
  • In Washington, we regularly meet with Congressional Representatives and Staff as well as USG officials to ensure that US business interests are well represented, particularly with Commerce, CBP, DHS, and USTR, to provide thoughtful guidance and advance consensus member views on priority issues; and to increase awareness of the ATA Carnet as a vital tool of trade facilitation that aids in increased US exports.

Resources

Chair

Michelle Welsh
Senior Counsel
Global Trade Compliance Legal
Google, Inc.

Staff

Michael Rousek
Vice President, Customs & Trade Facilitation
202-371-9235 or mrousek@uscib.org

Staff

Maheen Haq
Policy & Program Assistant, Washington
mhaq@uscib.org

Related Content

USCIB Responds to USTR’s Request for Comments on the Design of a Plurilateral Agreement on Trade in Critical Minerals and Policy Actions

USCIB submitted a response to the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) request for comments on the design of a plurilateral agreement on trade in critical minerals and policy actions to strengthen the resilience of critical mineral supply chains. The submission urges the Administration to cooperate with allies to advance critical minerals resilience through diversification, trade facilitation, market‑based production, and increased investment among trusted partners, rather than mandating localization[...]

USCIB Engages at the APEC Alliance for Supply Chain Connectivity (A2C2) in Mexico City

Mike Rousek, Vice President, Customs and Trade Facilitation at USCIB, spoke attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Alliance for Supply Chain Connectivity (A2C2) Regional Roundtable on January 13 in Mexico City.

USCIB Hosts Customs and Trade Facilitation Meetings in Chicago

USCIB hosted three Customs and Trade Facilitation Committee (CTFC) events for members, staff, and invited guests on timely topics on September 30 in Chicago. The day began with the USCIB Origin Landscape Forum, hosted at USCIB member Baker McKenzie’s offices. Representatives from the Office of US Trade Representative (USTR) and[...]

USCIB Advances US Priorities at APEC SOM3 in South Korea

USCIB participated in the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Third Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM3), driving forward US business interests in agriculture, customs and trade facilitation, and digital policy.   USCIB’s Cheryl Miller, VP of Digital Policy, Megan Giblin, Senior Director of Customs and Trade Facilitation, and Natalie Bidner-Swehla, Director of International[...]

PTO and OECD Host Roundtable on Draft Guidelines to Combat Online Counterfeit Trade

The US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) and OECD hosted a roundtable on the OECD Draft Voluntary Guidelines for Countering Illicit Trade in Counterfeit Goods on Online Marketplaces on June 5.  The event, which aimed to build trust and support for the draft voluntary Guidelines, was announced in the May[...]

USCIB Statement on Reciprocal Tariff Pause

USCIB is pleased by the Administration’s pause on reciprocal tariff actions against most US trading partners. The duties and countermeasures have roiled markets and supply chains, creating tremendous economic uncertainty for US companies and consumers.

USCIB Statement on Reciprocal Tariffs

Washington DC, April 2, 2025—The US Council for International Business (USCIB) seeks a swift resolution to the sweeping tariff actions taken today by the Administration in an effort to establish reciprocity in trade and investment or protect US national security. Recent tariff actions combined with retaliatory measures increase the cost[...]

USCIB Statement on Tariff Executive Orders

The US Council for International Business (USCIB) recognizes the importance of stemming the flow of illegal drugs across the US border, finding solutions in cooperation with nations involved. The broad use of tariffs to solve this problem will have a destabilizing impact on supply chains, economic growth and the geostrategic benefits of an integrated North American market achieved under the Trump Administration’s US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).