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U.S. Chamber's International Policy Update (February 10, 2012)‏

By Webmaster on February 11, 2012 1:12 AM
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U.S. Chamber's International Policy Update (February 10, 2012)

Business Community Presses for Ex-Im Bank Reauthorization

By Webmaster on February 11, 2012 12:57 AM
On February 9-10, the Chamber joined with a broad coalition of industry representatives to meet with members of Congress and staff to press for approval of legislation reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im) and increase its lending cap. With more than 60 business representatives taking part, teams met with nearly 200 House offices. Among the leave-behinds, the Chamber distributed "Myths and Facts about the Export-Import Bank of the United States." The document reads in part: "Far from being a handout to corporations, Ex-Im turns a profit for the American taxpayer. Since 2005, Ex-Im has generated more than $3.4 billion to the Treasury above all costs and loss reserves, including $700 million in FY 2011 alone... Small businesses account for 87% of Ex-Im's transactions; further, these small business transaction figures do not include the tens of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses that supply goods and services to large exporters." For details, please contact Stefanie Holland, Director for International Policy (sholland@uschamber.com).

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping to Visit Washington

By Webmaster on February 11, 2012 12:53 AM
On February 14-15, Vice President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China will visit Washington, D.C. Vice President Xi will meet with President Obama, Vice President Biden, and other senior administration officials to discuss a broad range of issues. Vice President Xi will also travel to Iowa and California. On February 13, the Chamber, along with the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME), will co-host the event "U.S. China Business Cooperation Seminar" which will focus on the future drivers of U.S.-China commercial cooperation with a focus on clean energy, services, and investment. Please view a draft agenda here. For details, please contact Flavia Kuhn, Program Assistant for China (kuhn@uschamber.com).

U.S. Agrees to End "Zeroing"

By Webmaster on February 11, 2012 12:49 AM
On February 6, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced that the United States signed agreements with the European Union (EU) and Japan that will bring to an end longstanding disputes over "zeroing." Zeroing refers to a methodology employed in antidumping calculations for aggregating unfairly-traded ("dumped") transactions with other transactions. The World Trade Organization ruled against the United States in favor of the EU for the first time in 2006, and for Japan in 2007. Ambassador Kirk said in a statement: "What this means for the American people and the country as a whole is that American farmers and businesses can invest in job-creating export markets without the uncertainty of possible trade retaliation." Under the agreement, the United States will complete the process - which began in December 2010 - of ending the zeroing practices found in these disputes to be inconsistent with WTO rules. In return, the EU and Japan will drop their claims for trade retaliation. For details, please contact Christopher Wenk, Senior Director for International Policy (cwenk@uschamber.com).

Obama Administration Issues Executive Order on Iran Sanctions

By Webmaster on February 11, 2012 12:46 AM
On February 6, President Obama signed an Executive Order that takes a number of actions relating to the Administration's Iran sanctions program, including measures to implement section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Among other measures, the order freezes all property of the Central Bank of Iran and all other Iranian financial institutions, as well as all property of the Government of Iran, further tightening the stringent U.S. sanctions on Iran. According to a fact sheet from the Department of Treasury: "Iran now faces an unprecedented level of pressure due to intensified sanctions applied by the United States and complementary actions by many others around the world. The new Executive Order issued today reemphasizes this Administration's message to the Government of Iran - it will face ever-increasing economic and diplomatic pressure until it addresses the international community's well-founded and well-documented concerns regarding the nature of its nuclear program." For details, please contact Christopher Wenk, Senior Director for International Policy (cwenk@uschamber.com).

U.S., Japan Consult on the Trans-Pacific Partnership

By Webmaster on February 11, 2012 12:42 AM
On February 7, the United States and Japan held a senior-level bilateral consultation on Japan's interest in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. The meeting was the first official bilateral consultation with Japan following the November 2011 announcement by Prime Minister Noda expressing Japan's intention to begin consultations with TPP countries toward joining the TPP negotiations. Costa Rican Trade Minister Anabel Gonzalez will come to Washington the week of February 25 to discuss her country's possible future membership in the TPP. For details, please contact Catherine Mellor, Director for Southeast Asia (cmellor@uschamber.com or Patrick Kilbride, Senior Director for the Americas (pkilbride@uschamber.com). 

Commerce General Counsel Kerry Briefs on EU Data Protection Directive

By Webmaster on February 11, 2012 12:37 AM
The Chamber's new EU Data Protection Task Force met for the first time this week to consider industry responses to the new EU Data Protection Directive. The initial meeting featured a discussion with Department of Commerce General Counsel Cameron Kerry, who indicated the department will be fully engaged with the EU as well as in other multi-lateral forums to help create a system of data protection and data privacy rules that enhance international interoperability of cross-border data flows. Chamber members agreed it will also be important to present a united voice from the business community as businesses of all sizes, from the biggest multinationals to small exporters, can facilitate the cross-border flow of data to grow their business and create jobs. The Chamber task force aims to ensure a system of continuous stakeholder input and U.S-EU cooperation to craft a balanced and efficient data protection and data privacy regime that continues to provide the benefits to business. For details, please contact Adam Schlosser, Senior Manager for Global Regulatory Cooperation (aschlosser@uschamber.com).

FreeEnterprise.com: This Week in Trade

By Webmaster on February 11, 2012 12:21 AM

The 2011 Trade Numbers: How Are We Doing? by John Murphy
In his State of the Union address two years ago, President Obama set the goal of doubling U.S. exports within five years. With the U.S. Department of Commerce releasing trade statistics for 2011 today, it's a good moment to ask: How are we doing?

Toward a Transatlantic Trade Agreement: Gaining Momentum, by John Murphy
The U.S. Chamber's efforts to build support for an ambitious Transatlantic Economic and Trade Pact are gaining traction. Heads of government in Germany, France, Britain, and the Netherlands have publicly voiced support in the past month for a transatlantic trade accord. So have BUSINESSEUROPE, the confederation of 41 leading national business organizations in 35 European countries, and the Transatlantic Business Dialogue. It's great to have the wind at our backs.

Continue reading FreeEnterprise.com: This Week in Trade .

U.S. Chamber's International Policy Update (December 16, 2011)‏

By Webmaster on December 20, 2011 10:30 AM
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U.S. Chamber's International Policy Update (December 16, 2011)

WTO Ministerial Under Way; New GPA Accord Clinched

By Webmaster on December 20, 2011 10:21 AM
On December 15, the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) opened in Geneva with news that -- after more than 10 years of negotiations -- a deal was reached on a more robust Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) to generate new business opportunities for U.S. companies in 42 countries and more than 150 central and sub-central government entities, such as Canada's provinces. Additional sectors are being opened as well, and countries will enhance transparency by bidding for contracts through electronic methods. According to WTO estimates, the total value of new market access opportunities is expected to be between $80 and $100 billion. The U.S. Chamber welcomed the news: "With 'buy local' mandates proliferating around the globe, the expanded GPA will help avoid a protectionist spiral and keep foreign procurement markets open to U.S. firms," said Chamber Senior Vice President for International Affairs Myron Brilliant.
Continue reading WTO Ministerial Under Way; New GPA Accord Clinched.
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