This week, USCIB submitted comments concerning barriers to U.S. exports of goods, services, and U.S. foreign direct investment for inclusion in the annual National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report. 

Published yearly by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the NTE Report provides a comprehensive review of significant foreign barriers to U.S. exports of goods and services, U.S.  foreign direct investment, and U.S. electronic commerce. USTR’s report aims to promote economic growth, human welfare, and environmental protection amid a growing global economy. 

USCIB’s comments concern 50 countries, covering a range of trade-related topics including data protection, market access, U.S. telecommunications trade agreements, digital trade, and agriculture. They discuss policy priorities for USCIB, its members, and industry, aiming to improve and streamline global trade and multilateral relationships. 

The section on China calls for greater market access for the ICT industry while recognizing the multifaceted and complex nature of U.S.-China relations. The section also criticizes cybersecurity in China and urges the nation to adopt stronger intellectual property (IP) and copyright protections. Additionally, for countries such as Argentina and Brazil, the report highlights the need for better compliance with international customs agreements, such as the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). New sections are also included on India import licensing, Vietnam electronic payment services and Indonesia customs duties on electronic transmissions. 

The comments also touch on issues such as sustainability and health. For example, the section on Mexico calls on policymakers to diminish hurdles for companies seeking to connect to the electricity grid and purchase clean and reliable energy. Similarly, the report criticizes Canada’s proposed ban on single-used plastic products through a CEPA-based regulatory approach, which will enact bans on the movement of used plastics destined for recycling or other sustainable uses. 

As the leading voice for U.S. business, USCIB hopes that its combined comments will highlight issues that challenge the open, fair, and rules-based international trade and investment system. USCIB thanks USTR and Ambassador Katherine Tai for its publishing of the NTE Report.