Trade and Investment Archives

40th Anniversary of the OECD Declaration on Multinational Enterprises

Published on June 1, 2016

investment_buildingsOn the occasion of its General Assembly, the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises (MNEs), a policy commitment by adhering governments to promote an open and transparent environment for international investment and encourage the positive contribution multinational enterprises can make to economic and social progress.

The Declaration consists of four parts and is intended to balance public policy to promote an open international investment climate with a business commitment to responsible business conduct: the ‘national treatment’ principle, the commitment to minimize conflicting requirements, the commitment to cooperation in the field of international investment incentives and disincentives, and the OECD MNE Guidelines, the most comprehensive government-backed instrument for promoting responsible business conduct. The Declaration commits adhering countries to improve the investment climate, while companies are encouraged to apply the standards of responsible business conduct as set out in the Guidelines.

Business Can Help Shape the Future of Global Trade

Published on May 31, 2016

The following op-ed was published in the Wall Street Journal on May 26.

The World Trade Organization is seeking input from the private sector on the next steps for trade liberalization.

By ROBERTO AZEVÊDO And SUNIL BHARTI MITTAL

In the span of two short years, the World Trade Organization has given businesspeople around the world a number of reasons to sit up and take notice. Through a series of negotiated trade agreements, it has demonstrated that its efforts can bring massive, widespread benefits. Now the WTO is looking to work in closer partnership with the private sector to bring further gains to the international trade regime.

In 2013, WTO members delivered the Trade Facilitation Agreement. This was the first global trade deal in 18 years. Once ratified, it promises to slash red tape and reduce border delays. Trade costs will be lowered by an average of nearly 15%. Global trade could be lifted by as much as $1 trillion.

This impact is bigger than if every remaining tariff in the world were reduced to zero. Full implementation could create more than 20 million jobs and lift global gross-domestic-product growth by up to 0.5 percentage points. Businesses around the world will get a significant boost.

Then in 2015, a group of WTO members came together to free up trade on a range of information-technology products, including the latest-generation semiconductors, telecommunications satellites, medical devices and video games.

This deal, expanding the existing Information Technology Agreement, eliminates tariffs on approximately $1.3 trillion in annual exports. That’s more than the value of the global trade in automobiles.

That same year, WTO members agreed on a world-wide ban on export subsidies on agricultural products, the biggest agriculture-trade reform in 20 years. Governments had been spending up to $13 billion on these economically distorting subsidies each year. The private sector supported these deals, and their engagement made a huge difference in the outcome.

Before this recent flurry of breakthroughs at the WTO, businesses had very little interest in trade negotiations. Prolonged lack of progress in global trade negotiations had led many countries to focus elsewhere and pursue bilateral and regional trade initiatives. Such initiatives can deliver significant economic gains, but there’s no question that global agreements can deliver even more benefits to more people.

The private sector recognizes this. A complicated patchwork of overlapping trade regulations and standards is less efficient than global rules. That’s why business leaders want and need a strong WTO.

Shared rules and enhanced market access in 162 countries is something no regional trade agreement can offer. Now that the WTO has showed that it can deliver these results, private-sector interest is rising fast and businesses are asking: What’s next?

The precise shape of the WTO’s future negotiating work remains an open question. All members agree that long-standing differences in agriculture, industrial goods and trade in services must be tackled, and that development should remain a central priority.

But at present there’s no agreement on precisely how to proceed with these negotiations, or what specifically should be on the agenda. Areas for discussion include supporting trade by micro-, small- and medium-size enterprises; promoting and facilitating investments; supporting e-commerce; tackling fisheries subsidies; and lowering nontariff barriers.

In this context, the private sector has asked that its voice to be heard, not to dictate the agenda, but to provide perspective. Two major business organizations, the International Chamber of Commerce and the B-20 (the private-sector arm of the G-20) approached the WTO requesting a platform to discuss current trade issues and present their thoughts to WTO members.

That meeting, the first of its kind, will take place on Monday in Geneva. Business leaders from small and large enterprises, from developed and developing countries, along with other stakeholders, will brainstorm with WTO members. We hope that this interaction will help their governments as they shape the WTO’s future agenda.

In recent years the WTO has shown that, with the support of the private sector and others, it can achieve major, economically significant trade agreements. Strengthening this partnership will ensure that the WTO’s record is maintained and that it keeps delivering for growth, development and job creation around the world.

Mr. Azevêdo is the director-general of the World Trade Organization. Mr. Mittal is the first vice chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce.

ICC Welcomes New Dialogue with WTO

Published on May 31, 2016

switzerland-wto-general-councilThe International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has today welcomed the conclusion of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) first ever dialogue with the business community as an important step towards strengthening the global trade agenda.

The dialogue was initiated off the back of the successful outcome of the WTO’s ministerial conference in Nairobi last December, and in response to growing concern within the global business community about faltering global trade growth.

Addressing WTO members, ICC’s First Vice-Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said:”To be clear: business wants predictable, modern and up-to-date multilateral trade rules, negotiated and agreed at the WTO…Trade is expected to grow by less than 3 percent for the fifth consecutive year in 2016. We should not accept this as the new normal and we are ready to work constructively with WTO members to restore trade as a central driver of global growth.”

The first-of-its-kind event identified a broad range of possible WTO initiatives to help boost trade-led inclusive growth. These included:

SME growth

Business leaders encouraged the WTO to explore possible initiatives to make trade easier for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), going beyond trade facilitation reforms to identify where harmonized rules and end-to-end standards can help small businesses access global markets. Access to financing was also highlighted as a priority to support SME trade growth.

Investment

Many participants in the dialogue expressed an interest in a new WTO dialogue to explore the scope for global standards in the field of investment promotion, protection and facilitation.

Sectoral liberalisation

The dialogue highlighted an interest from a range of sectors in pursuing sector-specific talks as a complement to the ongoing Doha Round.

E-commerce

There was a strong call from business leaders for the WTO to play a central role in underpinning an open, reliable and secure global digital economy. Participants expressed particular interest in possible “e-commerce negotiations” which could encompass a broad range of issues such as customs duties, electronic signatures, data protection and localization requirements.

Speaking on the systemic importance of an e-commerce initiative, Mittal said:”The global nature of e-commerce means that the WTO has a vital role to play in the further development of rules and standards for this area. E-commerce has the potential to revolutionize global trade flows. Today, even the smallest of businesses can go global if they can access the Internet.”

At the conclusion of the dialogue, ICC has called on WTO members to maintain contacts with the business community in taking forward possible new trade talks and initiatives.

ICC Secretary General John Danilovich said: “We have seen a positive discussion today about how we can work together to maximize the contribution of trade and investment to achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development. We hope that today’s initiative can be followed up with concrete steps including further meetings of this kind. ICC stands ready to support this dialogue in any way possible.”

Trans-Pacific Partnership’s Vital Role in U.S.-Japan relations

Published on May 27, 2016

The following op-ed by USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson and Kunio Ishihara, vice chairman of the Japanese business federation Keidanren, appeared in The Seattle Times yesterday on the economic and geopolitical benefits of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for the United States, Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. Ishihara led a Japanese business delegation to Seattle and other U.S. cities this week.

You can view the op-ed on The Seattle Times’ website at http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/trans-pacific-partnerships-vital-role-in-us-japan-relations/

USCIB Welcomes International Trade Commission Report on Trans-Pacific Partnership

Published on May 19, 2016

Washington, D.C., May 18, 2016 – The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) welcomed today’s release of a long-awaited report by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on the economic impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). USCIB said that the report’s publication represents a further step in the process of Congressional review and ultimate ratification of the landmark 12-nation agreement.

“Like others in the trade community, it will take us some time to scrutinize and digest this substantial study, but this is an important step in the process” said USCIB President and CEO Peter M. Robinson. “We are confident that TPP will be, on balance, a plus for American workers and companies and the growth of the American economy. We support the continued process to move the agreement forward, and encourage Congress to review the ITC’s findings closely and weigh all aspects of this important, 21st-century trade agreement.”

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. 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, VP communications, USCIB
+1 212.703.5043 or jhuneke@uscib.org

USCIB Recognized with Presidential-Level Export Award

Published on May 13, 2016

New York-based United States Council for International Business honored as one of 123 companies nationwide for success in exporting and export service

This press release was issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce

L-R: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Derek Leite, USCIB’s director of Trade Services
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker (left) presents the President’s “E” Award to Derek Leite, USCIB’s director of trade services.

New York, N.Y., May 16, 2016 –  United States Council for International Business (USCIB) was recognized today as one of 123 companies and organizations to receive the President’s “E” Award for exporting excellence during a ceremony in Washington, D.C..

Honoring USCIB was Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker for their work as an advocate of open markets and promoter of U.S. exports. Derek Leite, USCIB’s director of Trade Services, was on hand to receive the honors from the Secretary.

“USCIB has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion,” said Secretary Pritzker in her congratulatory letter to the company. “The “E” Awards Committee was very impressed with USCIB’s dedication to promoting international trade. The organization’s innovative work to implement the ATA Carnet was also particularly notable. USCIB’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs.”

The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

“This is a period of expanding use of ATA Carnets by U.S. companies,” said Leite. “This spurs U.S. exports worldwide, and helps to smooth the flow of global commerce. We would like to thank our ATA Carnet issuing providers, Boomerang Carnets and Roanoke Trade, for their persistent efforts to help grow ATA Carnet usage in the United States and around the world.”

Carmela Mammas, director of the U.S. Commercial Service New York, said this type of recognition highlights how hard businesses and organizations in The Empire State are working to be successful in a globalized economy.

“Congratulations to the United States Council for International Business on their well-deserved “E” Award,” said Mammas. “USCIB has played a crucial role in strengthening and growing our economy by providing export promotion services to the business community. They should be proud of this extraordinary achievement.”

The “E” Award ceremony is one of the highlights of World Trade Month, a month-long celebration of the benefits that U.S. exports bring to national, state, and local economies through job creation and growth.

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. 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, VP communications, USCIB
+1 212.703.5043 or jhuneke@uscib.org

Enhancing Productivity for Inclusive Growth

Published on April 29, 2016
USCIB CEO Peter Robinson, BIAC Secretary General Bernhard Welschke, and BIAC Innovation & Technology Committee Chair Rick Johnson at the MCM Consultation (Santiago)
USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson, BIAC Secretary General Bernhard Welschke, and BIAC Innovation & Technology Committee Chair Rick Johnson at the MCM Consultation (Santiago)

“Enhancing Productivity for Inclusive Growth” will be the theme of this year’s OECD Ministerial Council meeting chaired by Chile. The Chilean government, led by the Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs, hosted a preparatory meeting with the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD on April 25 in Santiago, Chile. Fernando Alvear Artaza, the general manager of the Confederation for Production and Commerce (CPC) in Chile, presented the views of BIAC and his federation on measures to improve productivity and to better use the growth potentials of our economies.

USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson spoke on the key role of business to realize the Sustainable Development Goals. And the chair of BIAC’s Technology Committee, Rick Johnson, explained the potential of innovation and digital technologies for more growth and well-being.

The BIAC delegation was strongly enhanced by the participation of Martin Pérez Monteverde, president of the National Confederation of Private Entrepreneurial Institutions (CONFIEP), BIAC’s new observer in Peru. Following the meetings in Santiago, Martin hosted the delegation in Lima for talks with the presidents of CONFIEP member federations. The Peruvian economy and cooperation with BIAC on all OECD matters were the focus of discussions.

At the OECD Week General Assembly on May 30, BIAC will present the results of its new economic policy survey and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises.

Business Calls for Improved Trade and Investment at B20

Published on April 22, 2016

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and USCIB Chairman Terry McGraw joined global business leaders at a B20 meeting in Washington, D.C. and urged the private sector to intensify engagement with the G20 to promote international trade and investment.

Presided by B20 China Sherpa Yu Ping, the B20 Joint Task Force meeting was held on the margins of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group and in the lead up to the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China next September.

Leading an ICC delegation of 40 CEOs from major multinational corporations, McGraw said: “We need more cooperation by the G20 to reignite world economic growth. That means that G20 leaders need to make trade and investment central to their growth agendas, making investments easier, reducing red-tape and cutting the cost of doing business.”

Zhu Min, IMF Deputy Managing Director stressed that structural reform must be a top priority for the G20 this year: “It’s absolutely important to bring the private sector into this global debate. In this critical junction, while we are facing global challenges and uncertainties, the private sector once again will play a pivotal and key role to stabilize world economic growth, financial markets, to push for growth and bring the world into the next high level.”

Read more at ICC’s website.

New Study Details the Impact of an Environmental Goods Agreement on China

Published on April 22, 2016

Solar-workers_3The Coalition for Green Trade, of which USCIB is a founding member, issued the following press release today about a new study onthe impact of an Environmental Goods Agreement on China:

New Study Details the Impact of an Environmental Goods Agreement on China

The Coalition for Green Trade today released the results of a new study detailing the effects that a World Trade Organization (WTO) Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) would have on the economy of China and the country’s ability to meet its environmental goals.

Overall, the study, “Value of an Environmental Goods Agreement: Helping China Meet Its Environmental Goals,” finds that full implementation of an EGA accord to eliminate tariffs on green technologies by China – the largest producer of these technologies participating in the EGA negotiations – would have a positive impact on the Chinese economy and environment.

The study was principally prepared by Dr. Joseph F. Francois and Laura M. Baughman of the Trade Partnership Worldwide, LLC.  They find that full implementation by China of an ambitious EGA:

  • Increases China’s GDP and national income by billions of dollars;
  • Increases exports by nearly $27 billion, up by 9.8 percent;
  • Increases real spending of roughly $22 billion annually on environmental goods; and
  • Results in gains of approximately $659 billion annually in economic benefits linked to improved environmental quality, based on the literature assessing cost-benefit ratios for investment in improved environmental conditions.

In July 2014, the United States and a group of other countries launched EGA negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in an effort to improve access to important green and energy efficient technologies, among other objectives. The United States and the 16 other WTO members participating in the EGA talks account for at least 86 percent of global environmental goods trade.

The Coalition for Green Trade is composed of a broad range of associations – including the U.S. China Business Council, which provided advice and outreach in support of this report – and companies doing business in the United States who seek to remove barriers to global trade in environmental technologies.

Business Pushes for U.S. Manufacturing Competitiveness

Published on April 22, 2016

U.S. manufacturers face high costs for inputs not produced in the United States. USCIB joined more than 200 trade groups and companies urging Congress to pass the Miscellaneous Tariffs Bill (MTB) overhaul bill quickly, which would eliminate unnecessary taxes on imported goods not available domestically. USCIB and others stated in a letter that U.S. manufacturers have faced annual tariffs of nearly $750 million since the last MTB expired in 2012, “undermining American competitiveness and the ability of these companies to retain and create manufacturing jobs in the United States.”

“This is something that we’ve been trying to get done for years,” House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters on Friday. “This MTB issue is something that I personally have been involved in, and I’m very excited that we have a solution now that we are moving. It is a jobs bill. It is a transparency bill. And it upholds our earmark ban, first and foremost, which is very important.”

Read the full letter.