Customs and Trade Facilitation Archives

USCIB was quoted in the Politico Morning Trade Newsletter on comments submitted to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on “board of trade” with China.

The full newsletter is available here.

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 or broadly restricting imports. 

The submission provides policymakers with USCIB member companies’ objectives for the plurilateral agreement regarding criteria for participation, pricing mechanisms, investment incentives and investor protections, regulatory predictability, mechanisms for cooperation, supply chain diversification, and secondary or recycled critical minerals. USCIB also urged USTR to provide the business community with a central role in shaping the agreement to ensure its provisions are practical and enduring. 

Michael Rousek (USCIB).

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

The A2C2 initiative supports the US government’s efforts to achieve fair and balanced trade across the Asia Pacific. The Roundtable, hosted by the US Government, focused on the supply chain digitalization journey as part of increasing efficiency and building resilience in the region.

A wide range of private sector representatives, including USCIB members, and APEC government experts, discussed the digitalization of trade and customs procedures. Panelists highlighted stakeholder engagement, change management strategies, and skill development as elements of success.

USCIB members Lisa Schroeter (Dow), Sandra Fallgatter (Walmart), and Mario Palacios (Applied Materials) were featured speakers on the Industry Spotlight panel sharing their perspectives on retail, chemicals, and semiconductors in their supply chain digitalization endeavors.

Leah Liston, Director for Customs and Trade Affairs at the Office of the US Trade Representative, hosted the roundtable.

L-R: Jill Franze (Cisco), Michelle Welsh (Google), Jeremy Dutra (Squire Patton Boggs), John Bescec (Microsoft), Stephanie Hartmann (WilmerHale LLP), and Megan Giblin (USCIB).

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 the World Customs Organization (WCO) provided updates on origin matters at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and WCO, respectively. Guest and member speakers participated in panel discussions focused on global trends in origin with a focus on developments in the US and EU; the current origin landscape, including current rules, and what companies need moving forward; origin compliance, origin best practices, origin rulings, and proving origin; and supporting business documents.

USCIB also convened a USCIB Global Trade Organizations and member-only, customs (import) compliance benchmarking discussion.

The events culminated in a CTFC meeting, hosted by USCIB member Google. According to USCIB Senior Director, Customs and Trade Facilitation Megan Giblin, members were updated on developments related to “date of entry”, e-payments and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and AI-related topics. The Committee also discussed 2026 priorities, the government shutdown, US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) review, 2028 amendments to the WCO’s Harmonized System (HS2028), and much more.

USCIB’s Natalie Bidner-Swehla and Cheryl Miller at APEC SOM3.

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 Agriculture Policy, were on site in Incheon, South Korea, for respective meetings from July 26 – August 11. 

Miller attended the inaugural APEC Digital Ministerial Meeting (DMM)—a landmark event for the region’s digital future. The DMM focused on advancing inclusive digital infrastructure, strengthening digital skills across populations, and supporting interoperability of technology standards across borders.  

While at APEC, the Trump Administration publicly unveiled its new AI Action Plan for the first time at the DMM, marking a pivotal moment in global digital policy. The US delegation was notably high level, signaling a renewed commitment to international leadership on artificial intelligence, digital governance, and cross-border tech collaboration. The administration also discussed their prioritized focus on exporting US tech needed to build out the future of AI.  

Miller’s participation helped amplify US business perspectives on responsible innovation and digital inclusion, reinforcing USCIB’s role in shaping a digitally connected and equitable Asia-Pacific economy. 

Megan Giblin (USCIB) in the group “family” photo for the APEC Subcommittee on Customs Procedures (SCCP) Workshop on Cross-Border E-Commerce.

Giblin played a central role in APEC’s customs and trade facilitation discussions. She moderated and was a  speaker on a panel of the  Rules of Origin event for the Market Access Group (MAG), participated in the APEC Alliance for Supply Chain Connectivity (A2C2) and engaged in the APEC Customs Business Dialogue (ACBD). USCIB’s contributions help to advance member priorities (e.g., confidential business information and protections, implementation of the Harmonized System Nomenclature or the international language of trade) in the APEC forum, and  shape regional strategies to streamline customs procedures, enhance supply chain resilience, and promote transparency in customs processes and procedures.  

Bidner-Swehla represented US business interests at three key APEC food and agriculture fora — the Agricultural Technical Cooperation Working Group (ATCWG), the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology (HLPDAB), and the Policy Partnership on Food Security (PPFS). In line with APEC’s Food Security Roadmap Towards 2030, she emphasized the role of the private sector in driving innovation, digitalization, and trade to build sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agri-food systems. Her interventions advanced US priorities on science-based policy, precision agriculture, rural revitalization, and reducing food loss and waste. 

The 2025 APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting Joint Statement underscored these priorities, reaffirming the importance of engaging the private sector and promoting public–private partnerships to strengthen food security across the region. Through her engagement at SOM3, Bidner-Swehla strengthened USCIB’s relationships with governments in the Asia-Pacific and spotlighted the US private sector’s expertise in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture. 

USCIB next plans to attend the APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea October 28-31.

Megan Giblin (USCIB) speaking at the PTO-OECD roundtable event.

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 PTO Federal Register Notice, which also provided a request for written public comments on the OECD’s Draft Voluntary Guidelines on Online Marketplaces.

The US roundtable marks the 1^st national public-private dialogue on these draft guidelines. During the event, eight private sector speakers, including USCIB’s Megan Giblin, Senior Director, Customs and Trade Facilitation, shared organization views on the draft voluntary Guidelines. Giblin was joined by seven other industry representatives including AAFA, INTA, and ITIF.

“USCIB fully supports this US national dialogue and other national level dialogues taking place in the coming weeks or near future,” said Giblin. “These Guidelines are a floor, not a ceiling, for advancing a global set of best practices – something which we do not currently have. … We believe that now is the time to secure agreement on an international set of Guidelines that will help empower market actors to better counter illicit trade – especially in the fast-moving and complex environment of online marketplaces,” Giblin included at the end of her statement.

US PTO’s comment period remains open until June 27. After which time, relevant information will be consolidated and provided to the OECD to help refine the draft voluntary guidelines. At the same time, national dialogues are expected to continue in other OECD member and accession countries.

Washington, DC, April 10, 2025 – The US Council for International Business (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. We note that retaliatory action is counterproductive, but also believe the US should seek de-escalation with all countries subject to the reciprocal tariffs in order to provide an opportunity for negotiated outcomes that level the playing field and ensure a prosperous environment for US trade and investment.

While we value the America First Trade Policy goal of addressing unfair trading practices, the US must work with industry on pragmatic solutions that do not destabilize markets and harm US competitiveness.

About USCIB:   

The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) powers the success of US business across the globe. Our members include US-based companies and professional services firms from every sector of the economy, with operations in every region of the world. As the US affiliate of leading international business organizations including Business at OECD (BIAC), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the International Organization of Employers (IOE), USCIB advances the US business perspective to policymakers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate commerce, support sustainable development, and build trust in multilateral systems. USCIB is also the national guaranteeing and issuing association for ATA Carnets, a unified international customs document that allows for the temporary import and export of various types of goods into a foreign country without paying duties or taxes. Learn more at www.uscib.org.  

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 of US manufacturing, raise prices on US consumers, and roil supply chains, undermining the ability of US companies to compete fairly against global competitors.

USCIB staunchly supports Administration efforts to level the playing field for US goods, services, agriculture, digital, and investment. Open markets are imperative to US companies who benefit from trading with the 96 percent of consumers outside of the United States. Combating unfair trade barriers, however, must be done in a way that ensures a stable environment for trade and investment, limits the economic impact of retaliation, and safeguards US competitiveness.

As such USCIB urges an America First Trade Policy that takes a multifaceted approach to combating trade barriers, including collaboration, negotiation, dispute settlement, and targeted use of trade remedies. Close and early consultation with business stakeholders is also key to ensuring optimal, pragmatic outcomes that fortify supply chains and avoid unintentional economic harm.

USCIB looks forward to working with the Trump Administration toward this end, ensuring mutually advantageous trade relationships while bolstering US economic productivity and growth.

About USCIB

The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) powers the success of US business across the globe. Our members include US-based companies and professional services firms from every sector of the economy, with operations in every region of the world. As the US affiliate of leading international business organizations including Business at OECD (BIAC), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the International Organization of Employers (IOE), USCIB advances the US business perspective to policymakers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate commerce, support sustainable development, and build trust in multilateral systems. USCIB is also the national guaranteeing and issuing association for ATA Carnets, a unified international customs document that allows for the temporary import and export of various types of goods into a foreign country without paying duties or taxes. Learn more at www.uscib.org.

February 3, 2025, Washington, DC—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, our closest allies and trading partners, and the geostrategic benefits of an integrated North American market achieved under the Trump Administration’s US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Open and stable markets are imperative to US companies who grow their business by trading with the 96 percent of consumers outside of the United States.

The US Council for International Business looks forward to working with the Trump Administration on a trade and investment policy that bolsters US competitiveness, enhances supply chain resilience, and safeguards American jobs.

About USCIB:  

The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) powers the success of US business across the globe. Our members include US-based companies and professional services firms from every sector of the economy, with operations in every region of the world. As the US affiliate of leading international business organizations including Business at OECD (BIAC), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the International Organization of Employers (IOE), USCIB advances the US business perspective to policymakers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate commerce, support sustainable development, and build trust in multilateral systems. USCIB is also the national guaranteeing and issuing association for ATA Carnets, a unified international customs document that allows for the temporary import and export of various types of goods into a foreign country without paying duties or taxes. Learn more at www.uscib.org.     

Left to right: Alice Slayton Clark (USCIB), Rick Johnston (Chair of Business at OECD, Chair of USCIB’s Trade and Investment Committee, and Managing Director, Global Government Affairs, Citigroup), Eric Ettorre (US House of Representatives), and Megan Giblin (USCIB).

House Ways and Means Committee Trade Counsel Eric Ettorre briefed USCIB members on the Republican trade agenda for the 119th Congress at the Trade and Investment Committee’s quarterly meeting. The discussion touched on key trade policy concerns for members, including tariff policy, trade preferences, investment safeguards, the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) review, as well as the Trump Administration’s review of US trade laws and practices to craft a new America First Trade Policy. We welcomed advice on how to respond and best position USCIB for a very active year on key priorities for member companies.

USCIB reminded Members to attend our February 19 conference in Brussels, Seeking Common Cause 2025:  the Future of Transatlantic Relations, and reported on the release of the USCIB 2025 APEC Priority Issues and Recommendations paper to Administration officials this week.

The next USCIB Trade and Investment Committee quarterly meeting will take place in April.