USCIB Advocates for Stronger Investor Protections in Trade Agreements

Former United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai and Colombia’s Minister of Trade, Industry, and Tourism Carlos Alberto Zuluaga recently signed Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Decision No. 9, interpreting key provisions of the US-Colombia Trade Agreement’s investment chapter. Unfortunately, this decision introduces challenges for USCIB members with operations in Colombia by narrowing investment protections and increasing regulatory uncertainty for US companies. 

“USCIB strongly opposes all efforts to extend these reinterpretations to other trade agreements,” said Natalie Bidner, Director of International Agriculture Policy at USCIB. “We look forward to working with the Trump Administration to have strong investor safeguards in trade agreements with public consultations in any trade agreement negotiations.” 

USCIB also opposes USTR’s efforts to weaken investor protections in other major trade agreements, including the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the Dominican Republic-Central America-US Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). These actions, taken without adequate consultation with Congress and the stakeholders impacted, aim to remove crucial investor safeguards that protect American businesses abroad. 

USCIB will continue to monitor developments and advocate for policies that protect US investor interests. 

Read our statement here. 

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