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Mastering the New ITAR Exemptions for the UK Webinar on 22-May-12 1:00 PM

Tue, 22 May 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Mastering the New ITAR Exemptions for the UK Webinar
Start Date: 22-May-12 1:00 PM
End Time: 22-May-12 2:30 PM
Location: WebEx
Speaker: Scott Gearity

Event Details:

US-UK Treaty Relaxes ITAR--Is the Cure Worse than the Disease?

On April 13, 2012, the US finally relaxed US ITAR controls on the UK. The big question is whether this helps you, and right now that is a tough question to answer. Some who have tried to read the new rules have already decided to ignore the complicated relaxation and continue to get licenses and agreements.

The fact is a lot of ITAR controls remain and many companies will continue to get ITAR licenses and agreements for technology transfer and trade between the US and UK. The second fact is that the relaxation is so complicated many companies are going to shy away from using it, either initially or permanently.

Now is the perfect time to find out how to deal with the significant ITAR restrictions and to learn how to determine whether the new changes will make your life easier when it comes to technology exchange and moving items to, and among, your key business partners in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe and the world.

Our Mastering the New ITAR Exemptions for the UK Webinar will cover the following topics:

Eligible US Exports
Eligible UK Retransfers
Eligible Items
Eligible Parties - UK Community
Eligible End Users
Eligible Intermediate Consignees
Records & Documentation
Compliance Procedure Considerations
Many More!

Our Mastering the New ITAR Exemptions for the UK Webinar will provide PowerPoint slides and include video and commentary from Scott Gearity, who has been bringing over a decade of consulting, training and corporate export compliance program management experience to bear for his clients.

WebEx

WITA-YTP-WIIT World Trade Week Happy Hour on 22-May-12 5:30 PM

Tue, 22 May 2012 21:30:00 GMT

WITA-YTP-WIIT World Trade Week Happy Hour
Start Date: 22-May-12 5:30 PM
End Time: 22-May-12 8:00 PM
Location: RFD Washington, Washington, DC
Event Details:

Join members of Washington International Trade Association (WITA), Women in International Trade (WIIT) and Young Trade Professionals (YTP) as we meet to celebrate World Trade Week!

Cash bar, RSVP optional. Feel free to bring your colleagues!

Location: RFD Washington, on 7th Street right next to the Verizon Center

We will have the private room in the back!

With so many international beers to choose from, this is the perfect place to celebrate World Trade Week!

Click here to see their list of 70+ draft beers from countries such as Netherlands, China, Brazil, UK, Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, Argentina, Jamaica, Canada, USA, Mexico, Italy, Australia, Austria and many more!

http://www.lovethebeer.com/beer-list.html

RFD Washington

810 7th Street NW

Washington, DC

Current Challenges in Trade Policy on 22-May-12 5:30 PM

Tue, 22 May 2012 22:30:00 GMT

Current Challenges in Trade Policy
Start Date: 22-May-12 5:30 PM
End Time: 22-May-12 8:30 PM
Event Details:

Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education cordially invite trade professionals
to an exclusive event at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Washington D.C.

Current Challenges in Trade Policy

Join us for an enlightening discussion on Tuesday, May 22 featuring Robert Lawrence and Craig VanGrasstek. The program will explore the current challenges facing trade policy, and address topics such as trade and employment, the emergence of the BRICs (with an emphasis on Russia's accession to the WTO and PNTR from the United States), and multilateral and regional trade agreements (including possible future Agreements between the EU and US).

Participants will also be able to learn more about Mastering Trade Policy, a Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education program. Cocktail reception to follow.

Tuesday May 22, 5:30pm.
Cocktail reception to follow.

Royal Netherlands Embassy
4200 Linnean Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20008
Directions

RSVP at http://hks_tradeprogram.eventbrite.com/

Every Nation For Itself: Winners and Losers in a G-Zero World on 22-May-12 5:30 PM

Tue, 22 May 2012 21:30:00 GMT

Every Nation For Itself: Winners and Losers in a G-Zero World
Start Date: 22-May-12 5:30 PM
End Time: 22-May-12 6:30 PM
Location: B1 Conference Center, Washington, DC 20016
Speaker: Ian Bremmer

Event Details:

We are pleased to invite you to a discussion with Ian Bremmer on the occassion of his new book "Every Nation for Itself: Winners and Losers in a G-Zero World." Acclaimed geopolitical analyst Ian Bremmer argues that the world is facing a leadership vacuum. Now that so many challenges transcend borders—from the stability of the global economy and climate change to cyberattacks, terrorism, and the security of food and water—the need for international cooperation has never been greater. A lack of global leadership will provoke uncertainty, volatility, competition, and, in some cases, open conflict.

Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, the world's leading political risk consulting firm, is also author of the national bestseller, "The End of the Free Market: Who Wins the War Between States and Corporations?", and "The J Curve: A New Way to Understand Why Nations Rise and Fall."

Books will be available for purchase.

To RSVP please send an email to lross@csis.org

PLEASE NOTE:

This is not a WITA event. Please contact the event sponsors for questions, details and registration

This information is provided as a service to WITA members and those interested in trade and trade policy issues. Although we strive for 100% accuracy, WITA is not responsible for changes or incorrect information that is supplied to us. Please contact the event sponsors if you are interested or have questions!

B1 Conference Center

CSIS 1800 K St. NW

Washington, DC 20016

China's Quest for Oil on 23-May-12 12:00 PM

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:00:00 GMT

China's Quest for Oil
Start Date: 23-May-12 12:00 PM
End Time: 23-May-12 1:15 PM
Location: Center for National Policy, Washington, DC 20001
Speaker: Steve Levine, Dr. Charles Ebinger

Event Details:

China's Quest for Oil

Wednesday, May 23

Sponsors:

Center for National Policy

Speakers:
Steve Levine, Foreign Policy
Dr. Charles Ebinger, Energy Security Initiative - Brookings Institution

Time:
12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Venue:
Center for National Policy, One Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 333, Washington, DC 20001

Registration:  CNP website

This event information is provided in conjunction with the International Trade and Investment News, a free weekly e-newsletter containing information on trade events throughout Washington DC and beyond. To subscribe to the International Trade and Investment News, send an email to: dan.cornette@iti-news.com

Comments

PLEASE NOTE:

This is not a WITA event. Please contact the event sponsors for questions, details and registration

Center for National Policy

One Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 333

Washington, DC 20001

International Business Networking Event and Reception on 23-May-12 7:00 PM

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

International Business Networking Event and Reception
Start Date: 23-May-12 7:00 PM
End Time: 23-May-12 9:00 PM
Location: DC Chamber of Comerce, Washington, DC
Event Details:

Join us as representatives from major US corporations, US officials, and European and Asian Economic/Trade Counselors and Attaches attend our new International Business Networking event! The DC Chamber of Commerce’s President & CEO Barbara Lang will deliver the opening remarks. The DC Chamber of Commerce is the largest and Number One rated Chamber in the Washington region.

There are many important business and trade opportunities occurring within Eurasia. US exports to Europe topped 329 billion dollars last year and the European Union and the US enjoy the most integrated economic relationship in the world, illustrated by unrivalled levels of mutual investment stocks, reaching over 2.7 trillion dollars. The economies of Asia nations comprise more than 4.2 billion people (60% of the world population) living in 46 different states. Asia is the world's fastest growing economic region. China is the largest economy in Asia and the second largest economy in the world and America is exporting more and more goods to China. Likewise there have been important trade developments with countries in the Persian Gulf which is regarded as part of Eurasia.

The Washington, DC region is an important hub of international business and trade, as the top US companies are represented here as well as a number of small and mid-size businesses. America’s trade and business policy decisions are made in here. Washington, DC has a large number of foreign Embassies and there are a number of foreign trade delegations that visit Washington, DC to promote new opportunities in Eurasia. DC also offers the world important opportunities for investment here in Washington, DC as well as exporting business services internationally. These factors make it an important nexus point for developing business opportunities worldwide.

REGISTRATION is $25 per person, but you must pre-register

Space is limited so register as soon as possible.

TO REGISTER FOR BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENT/RECEPTION CLICK:
REGISTRATION FORM FOR BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENT

One must pre-register to attend. Space is limited, so register as soon as possible.

Open Bar featuring Russia's Best Beer - BALTIKA, Russian Reception
Questions? Contact Michael Cooper at 202-494-0773
Email: Director@eurasiacenter.org

PLEASE NOTE:

This is not a WITA event. Please contact the event sponsors for questions, details and registration

DC Chamber of Comerce

506 9th Street, NW

Washington, DC

Intellectual Property Litigation at the U.S. International Trade Commission on 24-May-12 12:30 PM

Thu, 24 May 2012 16:30:00 GMT

Intellectual Property Litigation at the U.S. International Trade Commission
Start Date: 24-May-12 12:30 PM
End Time: 24-May-12 2:00 PM
Location: Adduci, Mastriani & Schaumberg
Speaker: Michael Doane

Event Details:

Intellectual Property Litigation at the U.S. International Trade Commission

Thursday, May 24

Sponsor: Association of Women in International Trade

Speakers: Michael Doane, Adduci, Mastriani & Schaumberg LLP
Time: 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Venue: Adduci, Mastriani & Schaumberg, 1133 Connecticut Ave NW, 12th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20036

Registration: For more information visit the Association of Women in International Trade website.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a WITA event. Please contact the event sponsors for questions, details and registration
This information is provided as a service to WITA members and those interested in trade and trade policy issues. Although we strive for 100% accuracy, WITA is not responsible for changes or incorrect information that is supplied to us. Please contact the event sponsors if you are interested or have questions!

Adduci, Mastriani & Schaumberg

1133 Connecticut Ave NW, 12th Floor

Washington, D.C, 20036

Interpreting Iranian Sanctions Provisions: Connecting the new with the old Webinar on 30-May-12 1:00 PM

Wed, 30 May 2012 17:00:00 GMT

“Interpreting Iranian Sanctions Provisions: Connecting the new with the old” Webinar
Start Date: 30-May-12 1:00 PM
End Time: 30-May-12 2:30 PM
Location: Online webinar
Speaker: Amanda DeBusk

Event Details:

U.S. concerns about Iran’s nuclear program have driven recent efforts to increase the sanctions placed on Iran. The comprehensive Iranian sanctions of 2010 were followed by new sanctions at the end of 2011. The February 5, 2012 Executive Order and February 27th implementing regulations have provided important clarifications as to the operations of these new provisions. Serious efforts are underway in Congress to further increase sanctions on Iran and it is expected that at least some of these measures may pass.

The breadth and reach of the Iranian sanctions provisions is unprecedented in many respects. Not only do they provide for broad-reaching sanctions on U.S. and foreign entities engaged in prohibited activity and foreign financial institutions that do business with Iranian banks, but they enlist U.S. financial institutions in the enforcement efforts.

These new sanctions provisions, layered on top of existing Iranian sanctions, present a somewhat confusing patchwork of laws and regulations. This program will explain the operation and relationship of the various Iranian sanctions provisions, and address:

How could these sanctions impact your U.S. and foreign operations?

What changes to your business operations should you make to comply with these provisions?

What can and should your company do to protect against costly investigations and possible penalties?

What activities may be subject to sanctions in the future?

Our "Interpreting Iranian Sanctions Provisions: Connecting the new with the old" Webinar will provide PowerPoint slides and include video and commentary from Amanda DeBusk, who is a widely recognized authority in the enforcement of export controls and sanctions, drawing on her background as the former U.S. Commerce Department Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement to handle civil and criminal enforcement matters and voluntary disclosures.

PLEASE NOTE:

This is not a WITA event. Please contact the event sponsors for questions, details and registration

Online webinar

6th Annual Women Spanning the Globe on 31-May-12 9:00 AM

Thu, 31 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

6th Annual Women Spanning the Globe
Start Date: 31-May-12 9:00 AM
End Time: 31-May-12 3:30 PM
Location: Jim Rouse Visionary Center, Baltimore, MD
Speaker: Marc Pritchard

Event Details:

Registration Now Open!

It's back and we expect another sell-out!

WTCI's annual event featuring the latest insights from successful women in global roles is jam packed with candid leadership advice, global learning, networking opportunities and more...

Global success stories and proven strategies from high profile women in senior roles
Women to women global leadership insights
Female Fun Session Featuring International Trivia

Truly thought-provoking topics including:

Keeping it Real: The Future of Brand Building and the Imperative Leadership Role for Women (CMO of P&G Marc Pritchard), Empowering Women Globally, Women Visionaries, Building Business & Nations, Women Visionaries, Globalizing Health Care, and more TBA

"I have to tell you, I'm still on my high from Wednesday/s event – WOW! I don't know how but each year, I am more blown away, more empowered by and certainly more energized by your event. FABULOUS!"

- Sherri Allen, Alliance Engineering

Check out the event site for more information.

Tickets: $90 (early bird)

$125 (after May 1)*

Sponsorships still available
view benefits or contact eddie@wtci.org for more information

More event information

PLEASE NOTE:

This is not a WITA event. Please contact the event sponsors for questions, details and registration

Jim Rouse Visionary Center

800 Key Highway

Baltimore, MD

Aid & International Development Forum on 6-Jun-12 9:00 AM

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Aid & International Development Forum
Start Date: 6-Jun-12 9:00 AM
End Time: 7-Jun-12 4:00 PM
Location: Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC 20001
Event Details:

AID & INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FORUM

The Aid & International Development Forum (AIDF) is the world leading forum for the humanitarian aid, relief and development sectors which facilitates partnerships, addresses global humanitarian and development issues and encourages the sharing of expertise.

AIDF brings together brings together decision makers from UN, government, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs and the corporate sector who are involved in the delivery of humanitarian aid relief and development.

Conference and Workshop sessions

Conference and Workshop sessions will host moderated panel discussions aimed to address essential elements of aid, relief and development. This year they are separated into four tracks:

1. FOCUS: Partnerships

2. FOCUS: Providing basic human needs

3. FOCUS: Addressing barriers to aid and development provision.

4. FOCUS: Delivery mechanisms & support Services

More than a talking shop, these dialogues engage high level speakers from agencies and organisations central to delivery.

Interactive Zone

The Interactive Zone provides an opportunity for suppliers to demonstrate in a way that the audience can touch, experience and interact with their goods and solutions. Each session lasts an hour and is based on one phase of emergency management: Prevention, Mitigation & Preparedness, Disaster & Response, Recovery & Reconstruction. Procurement managers will provide an advisory panel outlining how the products or services being demonstrated work, what the pitfalls are and will have an opportunity to share information on how best to work with their organisation in each particular phase of the emergency. Presentations will draw on experiences from the field to bring these presentations to life. The area will also host an Innovation Zone: Emerging innovations from SMEs and an exhibitor only session on how can you better your relationships with Procurement Managers.

Pitch Tank

A panel of procurement and logistics professionals from UN, NGO, and government agencies will give invaluable feedback and insights to a select group of companies in these themed sessions on how best to approach and develop working relationships with their organizations and the sector as a whole.

Networking

Catered networking breakfasts, lunches and drink receptions will provide an informal opportunity to cement relationships, build partnerships and enhance cross-sector understanding.

Cluster Zones

The event will be organized into sectors of response or Cluster Zones in line with humanitarian reform that aims to address gaps and strengthen the effectiveness of humanitarian response through partnerships. Each Cluster Zone will reflect a different sector of response and feature dedicated exhibits, networking opportunities, workshops and experiential sessions.

Cluster Zones:

Transport & Logistics
Water & Sanitation
ICTs
Power & Energy Efficiency
Health, Medical & Nutrition
Protection & Security
Finance
Shelter
Education & Training
Food & Agriculture

PLEASE NOTE:

This is not a WITA event. Please contact the event sponsors for questions, details and registration

Washington Convention Center

801 Mount Vernon Place, NW

Washington, DC USA 20001

ICTSD, 05/17/2012, "China, Japan, South Korea to Launch Trade Talks"

Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

China, Japan, and South Korea have agreed to begin formal negotiations later this year for a three-way free trade deal, heads of state from the three East Asian economies announced on Sunday 13 May.

“Recognising that the establishment of an FTA … would contribute to the economic growth and prosperity of the three countries, we hereby endorsed the recommendations from trade ministers that the trilateral FTA negotiation would be launched within this year,” Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said in a joint communiqué after the meet.

The three leaders highlighted the co-operation between their countries as a reason for the region’s steady economic growth and accelerated economic integration, despite the ongoing global economic crisis; they further stressed that this co-operation would “facilitat[e] economic recovery and growth in the world.”

The proposed trade pact will “unleash the economic vitality” of East Asia, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said after the high-level gathering.

The proposed deal would bring together three markets that together constitute 19.7 percent of global GDP, according to Japanese government data. Trade between the three countries has already increased more than five-fold from US$130 billion in 1999 to US$690 billion in 2011, according to statistics from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A trilateral trade deal could increase China’s GDP by up to 2.9 percent, Japan’s by 0.5 percent, and South Korea’s 3.1 percent, according to Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua; the news agency did not cite the source for these figures.

For his part, Noda commented to the Wall Street Journal that trilateral trade negotiations “are an extremely important piece of his country’s economic strategy.”

“China is simply a huge market,” the Japanese Prime Minister said. “That’s all there is to it.” Beijing is the largest trading partner of both Seoul and Tokyo.

The three countries also signed a trilateral investment agreement at their two-day summit, a step that is designed to facilitate a future trade pact.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

17-May-12 9:00 AM

BBC News, 05/15/2012, "Colombia-US Free Trade Agreement Comes Into Force

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:30:00 GMT

The long-delayed free trade agreement between the US and Colombia has come into effect, more than five years after being signed.

At the stroke of midnight, a planeload of flowers - an important export for Colombia - left Bogota to become the first shipment under the deal.

The pact was held up in the US Congress amid concern over Colombia's record of violence against trade union leaders.

It finally passed last October, after pressure from the Obama White House.

Later on Tuesday, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle was set to be unveiled as one the first US exports to Colombia as part of the agreement.

Both countries hope the deal will boost mutual exports and investments, as well as underpin the two countries' close political ties.

Colombia has long been seen as one of the United States' staunchest allies in the region.

The pact means a wide variety of goods, including machinery, raw materials and agricultural products, can be traded without import tariffs needing to be paid.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

15-May-12 5:30 AM

Bloomberg, 05/11/12, "EU Seeks U.S. Trade Agreement by Mid-2014, De Gucht Says"

Fri, 11 May 2012 19:00:00 GMT

The European Union and the U.S., which have the world’s largest bilateral economic relationship, are making progress on a trade accord that may be spelled out by mid-2014, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said.

Tariffs, services, procurement and regulatory issues top the agenda for the proposed agreement, which is taking shape this year. An interim report on the deal’s potential scope is due in June with a final document by the end of 2012, and negotiations could start soon after.

“I propose we negotiate for no longer than 18 months,” De Gucht said today in remarks prepared for a speech in Hamburg. Any accord must be “ambitious enough to include all areas of economic importance, and realistic enough to be successful within a limited period of time.”

Trade negotiators have their work cut out for them. The U.S. and the EU -- which have trade flows between them of $4.4 trillion annually, according to the German Marshall Fund -- have often pressed for closer trade ties, only to run into roadblocks in reaching agreement. Any trade deal would face a lengthy and difficult approval process within the governments.

The U.S. and EU “are examining a number of options for expanding transatlantic trade and investment, including a potential comprehensive trade agreement,” Andrea Mead, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, said in an e-mailed statement. De Gucht and Ron Kirk, the U.S. trade ambassador, lead the group working on the June report and will discuss its progress with trade ministers from EU states in the coming weeks, she said.

Political Support

“This has always had more support at the highest political levels than it has at the negotiating level,” Bill Reinsch, president of the National Foreign Trade Council, said in a phone interview. Sticking points will include regulations, product standards and health protections, he said, noting that the two sides “have been butting heads on these things for 20 years without a lot of progress.”

Political support for a new trade accord mounted in November, when President Barack Obama and EU leaders created a high-level working group to identify steps to boost economic growth. The EU is particularly eager to find ways to shake loose more economic activity, since the sovereign-debt crisis has forced most members to cut budgets and cope with recessions.

Food Safety

De Gucht said the trade talks will include agriculture, food safety and a range of industries. The goal should be to get as close as possible to “full tariff elimination,” with cuts across a range of industries, he said.

Both sides will seek to lower regulatory barriers that hinder transatlantic trade, such as long-running disputes over chemicals, genetically modified foods and chlorinated chicken. The current push focuses less on investment, where a series of bilateral deals have helped foster relatively smooth relations, and more on goods, services and agriculture subsidies.

“Anything they come up with is likely to be symbolic,” Peter Holmes, an economics professor at the University of Sussex, said by telephone. “If they really can break a deadlock, that might trigger something bigger for the future.”

Click here to read the rest of the article.

11-May-12 3:00 PM

Associated Foreign Press, 05/10/12, "Record imports widen US trade gap"

Fri, 11 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON — The US trade gap widened sharply in March, driven by surging oil and Chinese imports that suggested solid demand in the modestly growing economy, official data showed Thursday.

The Commerce Department reported the US trade gap widened to $51.8 billion in March, led by a five percent surge in imports.

The March trade shortfall was slightly bigger than analysts' average estimate of $50.2 billion.

But analysts pointed to the broad-based rise in imports as a positive signal of momentum in the world's largest economy, where consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of activity.

"Imports have risen in four of the past five months, an indication of sturdy domestic demand," said Ryan Sweet at Moody's Analytics.

Robert Brusca, chief economist at FAO Economics, agreed.

"The trade number now puts last month's weak import figure behind us and makes it look more like domestic demand is growing," Brusca said.

The February gap was revised lower to $45.4 billion from a first estimate of $46.0 billion.

Choppy trade at the beginning of the year was mainly due to China's lunar new year celebrations, which dramatically lowered Chinese imports to the United States in February.

Excluding China, the number-one exporter to the United States, the March trade deficit would have been more stable.

Petroleum imports also were volatile in the first quarter: less than $30 billion in February and more than $36 billion in January and March.

US trade in March set new records, the Commerce Department said.

Imports hit an all-time high of $238.6 billion, eclipsing record exports of $186.8 billion.

US goods and services exports through the first quarter of 2012 were up 8.2 percent or $41.6 billion from the same period of 2011 to reach $549.2 billion.

The March number marked the fourth consecutive month of export growth.

"This month's data show that US exports have continued to increase this year, despite some tough economic conditions abroad, confirming the historic progress we are making on the path to achieving President (Barack) Obama's goal of doubling exports by the end of 2014," US Commerce Secretary John Bryson said in a statement.

The trade chief noted export growth had supported an additional 1.2 million American jobs since 2009.

Exports have been a bright spot in the struggling US recovery following the 2008-2009 Great Recession that left unemployment painfully high, but may face challenges in the face of a global slowdown, analysts said.

"This report suggests that trade may now be a plus for growth in the first quarter of 2012," said Gregory Daco at IHS Global Insight.

"However, it is important to remember that the US is not immune to a sharper global deceleration should the European situation deteriorate sharply, or China experience a hard landing."

The US goods trade deficit widened mainly with the Europe Union, China and OPEC countries.

The United States posted record goods exports to Canada, its largest trade partner, and imported goods from its northern neighbor at the highest level since September 2008. The gap widened to $3.06 billion.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

11-May-12 8:00 AM

NASDAQ, 5/9/12 "US Businesses Warn Not To Weaken Intellectual Property Rights In Pacific Trade Pact"

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Major U.S. business groups Tuesday urged the Obama administration to resist any attempts to weakenintellectual property rights in negotiations to form a free-trade zone spanning the Pacific Ocean.

Warning that protections for such things as drug patents and copyrights face a "serious risk" as the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks enter into the 12th round this week in Dallas, more than two dozen organizations sent a letter to President Barack Obama stressing the importance of strong enforcement of intellectual property rights.

"Any attempts to weaken IP rights or to exclude any sector from protection must be strongly rejected," said the letter, which was viewed by Dow Jones Newswires. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable and National Association of Manufacturers were joined by groups representing a range of sectors like pharmaceuticals, software and electronics.

While not naming any specific opponents to strong IP rights among the eight other countries involved in the negotiations, the groups say some participants are seeking a deal with low standards of protection and limited enforcement. Those participants suggest that U.S. proposals could threaten public health or the development of the Internet, the letter says.

The letter is aimed more at shoring up the Obama administration's push to incorporate strong intellectual property rights in the deal, rather than out of concern that U.S. negotiators have started backsliding, a business representative said.

Click here to read more.

9-May-12 1:00 PM

WSJ, 5/8 "US Treasury's Brainard Sees Hope For Complete Yuan Adjustment"

Tue, 08 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--China's currency adjustment process is "incomplete" despite a 40% appreciation in the yuan against the dollar since 2005, a senior U.S. Treasury official said Tuesday.

Still, Undersecretary for International Affairs Lael Brainard said given the widening of the yuan's trading band, less currency intervention and slower foreign exchange reserve accumulation, she's hopeful that Beijing will complete a currency-adjustment ...

Click here to read more if you have a subscription to the WSJ.

8-May-12 10:00 AM

Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., 5/4 "U.S. Touts Progress in Economics and Trade Talks with China"

Fri, 04 May 2012 19:00:00 GMT

At the conclusion of the fourth meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Beijing May 3-4, the Obama administration released a fact sheet detailing the progress officials made on a range of trade-related issues. Many of these topics were identified as areas of particular concern by lawmakers, business groups and others prior to the meeting. Others, however, such as sanitary and phytosanitary standards, illegal subsidies to state-owned enterprises, technology transfer requirements, export restraints and retaliatory use of trade remedy measures, were not mentioned in a wrap-up of the meeting from the U.S. Treasury Department.

Market Access. One of the major points of emphasis for Washington in its trade relations with China has been securing additional access to that country’s growing market. According to a Treasury fact sheet, China agreed at the S&ED meeting to the following measures designed to further reduce barriers to U.S. exports.

- participate in multilateral negotiations for new rules on the terms and conditions of official export financing, which “is critical to making sure that competitive U.S. exports are not undercut by subsidized foreign government financing” (first meeting set for this summer in Washington, D.C.)

- increase the number of state-owned enterprises that pay dividends as well as the amount of dividends actually paid so as to be in line with market levels, which “will help boost China’s domestic consumption, creating new opportunities for U.S. producers”

- submit this year a revised comprehensive offer to join the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (a step the U.S. has been pushing China to take for some time)

- intensify negotiations on a U.S.-China Bilateral Investment Treaty (the U.S. recently completed an update to its model BIT, which observers believe will allow efforts to negotiate such agreements with China and other countries to again move forward)

- open new sectors to foreign investment, further simplify and enhance the transparency of its investment approval system, and focus its security reviews of foreign investment solely on national security concerns

Increasing Domestic Demand. China is an important part of the Obama administration’s goal of doubling U.S. exports by the end of 2014 in order to increase domestic employment. The fact sheet notes that since early 2009 U.S. exports of goods to China have almost doubled...

Click here to read more.

4-May-12 3:00 PM

ICTSD, 5/2/12 "US Senate Agriculture Committee Passes Farm Bill; Cotton Spat Unresolved"

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:00:00 GMT

The Farm Bill process passed another milestone last week, after the US Senate Agriculture Committee approved its version of the omnibus legislation that supports agriculture, conservation, and nutrition. The US Congressional Budget Office estimates that the proposed legislation will involve a US$26 billion reduction in spending over ten years.

An earlier proposal by the administration of US President Barack Obama had outlined a US$30 billion cut; shortly thereafter, a budget proposal from the House Budget Committee had suggested a US$33 billion cut. (See Bridges Weekly, 21 March 2012)

The Senate Agriculture Committee’s bill, or the Agriculture Reform , Food and Jobs Act of 2012, eliminates direct and countercyclical payments, making crop insurance the biggest budget item. Among the commodities, wheat, cotton, and feed grains would see the largest decrease in government payments. Although overall spending is widely expected to be lower, it is likely to become more trade distorting - moving away from direct payments to support that may influence planting decisions.

The proposed legislation also outlines reductions in outlays for direct payments and for nutrition and conservation programmes, while mandating increases in crop insurance, extension, and horticulture over a period of ten years.

Click here to read more.

2-May-12 4:00 PM

Reuters, 5/1/12 "India, Russia, China on copyright pirates list: USTR"

Doug Palmer - noemail@wita.org — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

(Reuters) - The United States on Monday again put Russia and China on its annual list of countries with the worst records of preventing the theft of copyrighted material and other intellectual property (IP), the U.S. Trade Representative's office said.

Argentina, Canada and India were also put on the "priority watch list," along with Algeria, Chile, Indonesia, Israel, Pakistan, Thailand, Ukraine and Venezuela.

"This year's Special 301 Report is more significant than ever in light of recent U.S. Government data showing that IP-intensive industries support as many as 40 million American jobs and up to 60 percent of U.S. exports," U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said in a statement.

Canada, among the North American Free Trade Agreement nations along with Mexico and the United States, made the list for the fourth consecutive year, partly for failing to reform its copyright laws.

The priority watch list carries no threat of sanctions, but hopes to shame governments into cracking down on piracy and counterfeiting and updating their copyright laws.

It was Russia's 16th straight year on the list, according to a tally kept by the International Intellectual Property Alliance, a U.S. business group.

China has been on the priority watch list for eight years and subject to a special monitoring program under Section 306 of U.S. trade law since the late 1990s.

USTR placed Ukraine on the priority watch list for the first time since 2007.

Ukraine has made "minimal progress" in implementing a 2010 action plan to reduce piracy and counterfeiting and "in some cases took steps backward," USTR said.

Kirk congratulated Malaysia and Spain for being removed from a lower level watch list that includes 27 countries this year.

Those are Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, Greece, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

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1-May-12 9:00 AM

ICTSD, 04/26/12, "Russian Officials Caution US against Linking Human Rights to Trade Restrictions"

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Proposed legislation in the US Congress that would sanction Russian officials for human rights violations should not be tied to the repeal of Cold-War era trade restrictions on Moscow, Russia’s ambassador to the US cautioned on Monday. The comments come as US lawmakers continue deliberating over whether to allow Russia to become a full trade partner, as the expected finalisation of Moscow’s WTO membership draws ever nearer.

“If [tying human rights to trade in Congress] is taken to an extreme, it’ll be a significant negative impact on Russian-American relations,” Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak warned, speaking to reporters at a luncheon in Washington.

“We do not want to be told what we need to do within the limits of Russian law,” he said, adding that, as far as Moscow is concerned, the high-profile case of Sergei Magnitsky - an attorney whose death in a Moscow prison in 2009 sparked concerns over human rights protections in Russia - has nothing to do with trade.

“Attempts to replace an anti-Soviet amendment with anti-Russian laws are categorically unacceptable for us,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier this month, in comments reported by RIA Novosti. “The Magnitsky case is Russia’s domestic affair which is being dealt with at the highest level.”

Restoring permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Russia will require the US Congress to repeal the Jackson-Vanik amendment, a Cold-War era piece of legislation aimed at countries that restrict freedom of emigration. PNTR status in the United States is equivalent to most-favoured nation (MFN) treatment, a reciprocal commitment required of all members under WTO rules.

However, wrangling in Congress over plans to permanently normalise trade relations with Moscow has been linked to Russia’s human rights record, with the Magnitsky case coming up repeatedly in recent months as the trade debate has gained steam.

Already a bipartisan group of senators has agreed to support the repeal of Jackson-Vanik, but only if it is replaced with legislation sanctioning Russian officials that commit human rights violations (see Bridges Weekly,21 March 2012). However, other US lawmakers have argued that the two issues should be kept separate, stressing the potential trade impacts should Washington delay the Jackson-Vanik process much longer.

Even though the US has long granted Russia a waiver on PNTR, if Washington fails to repeal its law before Russia’s WTO membership comes into force - which is expected by late July - US exporters could be placed at a disadvantage against foreign competitors who would immediately enjoy the trade benefits of Russia’s membership (see Bridges Weekly, 29 February 2012).

Indeed, some analysts have predicted that Russia’s WTO accession could provide an opportunity for the US to double its exports to Russia over the next five years.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

26-Apr-12 9:00 AM

Manager, Public Policy

Thu, 10 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Title: Manager, Public Policy
Description:

Manager, Public Policy. Washington office of Silicon Valley high-tech association seeks Manager of Public Policy to represent industry on priority issues. At least four years of experience with Capitol Hill or the Administration with a high degree of responsibility required. PAC experience and strong knowledge of trade and export control issues preferred. Must have strong oral and written communication skills. Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

Required Experience:
Education Required:
Planned Duration of Employment: Full Time

Contact info:

Jamie Girard (Add to Contacts)

SEMI

1401 K Street, N.W.

Suite 601

Washington, DC 20005

General Development Officer Afghanistan (Junior Officer)

Wed, 02 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Title: General Development Officer Afghanistan (Junior Officer) Description: USAID Foreign Service Limited Officer Positions in Afghanistan Position: General Development Officer - Afghanistan (Junior Officer) This requires US Citizenship and is a term-limited and non-career position Summary: USAID is seeking to recruit strong development professionals to serve as General Development Officers (GDOs) for assignment in Afghanistan. These assignments will directly support USAID's mission to promote the rapid transition of Afghanistan to a more stable, productive, and democratic country with sustainable social development and economic growth. Tai Pedro and Associates (TPA), a global management and technology firm, is currently partnering with USAID to recruit highly experienced professionals to design and manage programs in various sectors. The General Development Officer position offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including allowances such...

General Development Officer Afghanistan (Mid-Level)

Wed, 02 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Title: General Development Officer Afghanistan (Mid-Level) Description: Summary: USAID is seeking to recruit strong development professionals to serve as General Development Officers (GDOs) for assignment in Afghanistan. This will directly support USAID's mission to promote the rapid transition of Afghanistan to a more stable, productive, and democratic country with sustainable social development and economic growth. Tai Pedro and Associates (TPA), a global management and technology firm, is currently partnering with USAID to recruit highly experienced professionals to design and manage programs in various sectors. The General Development Officer position offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including allowances such as danger pay and hardship supplements. This is a term limited non-career position.The General Development Officer (GDO) will be based in Afghanistan and assigned to a unit such as a Regional Platform (RP)/Regional Command (RC),...

General Development Officer Afghanistan (Junior Officer)

Wed, 02 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

International Trade Associate

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Title: International Trade Associate
Description:

King & Spalding seeks a junior to mid-level associate for its International Trade practice group in Geneva. Qualified candidates will have experience in WTO litigation and market access issues. Applicants should have at least two years of relevant practice experience, excellent research and writing (in English) skills and the desire to be part of a hard-working, fast-paced environment. Send resume and law school transcript to lhaskins@kslaw.com. No search firm submissions, please.

Required Experience:
Education Required:
Planned Duration of Employment: Full Time

Contact info:

Lindsey Haskins (Add to Contacts)

King and Spalding

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ANALYST

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Title: INTERNATIONAL TRADE ANALYST Description: Description: International Development Systems, Inc. (IDS) seeks an international trade analyst to provide services to U.S. and international clientele. Responsibilities may include: preparing written news items or policy briefs on political or regulatory developments; analysis of trade data for textile and apparel products; working with official documents (tariff schedule, trade agreement texts, U.S. code, etc.); database management; and website maintenance. You will work closely with a small team of professionals, and will be expected to handle both analytical and administrative tasks as well as client facing activities. The following qualifications are required: BA/BS degree Strong writing skills Excellent research skills Interest in U.S. trade policy Detail oriented team player Spanish language proficiency is...

Government Affairs Professional - Trade

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:50:13 GMT

Title: Government Affairs Professional - Trade
Description:

Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association is seeking a Government Affairs Professional - Trade for this Bethesda, MD based trade association. Seek individual to be responsible for managing all international trade related issues including working with the International Trade Commission and other related federal agencies as well as to work with the Hill on trade related issues impacting membership.

Need a Bachelor's degree; six plus years experience working on trade related legislative or regulatory issues and a background working with the ITC and other government related organizations.

Contact James Zaniello, 888 16th Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20006. Email: jim.zaniello@vettedsolutions.com

Website: www.aftermarket.org

Required Experience:
Education Required:
Planned Duration of Employment: Full Time

Contact info:

James Zaniello (Add to Contacts)

Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association

Manager, Legislative and Government Affairs

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:35:18 GMT

Title: Manager, Legislative and Government Affairs Description: DESCRIPTION: Assist the Government Affairs Department in implementing department priorities and plans at the direction of the Board of Directors. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Assist the Director of Legislative and Government Affairs in developing and maintaining relationships and open lines of communication with TIA members and relevant Capitol Hill staff, while focusing on domestic public policy related to the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. • Monitor issues by reading and reporting on information obtained through contacts, trade press, and various publications, and by covering briefings and hearings on Capitol Hill. • Assist in facilitating communications between TIA member representatives and government officials through TIA-planned events and legislative updates to members. • Arrange and participate in formal and informal communications,...

Manager, International & Government Affairs

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:22:23 GMT

Title: Manager, International & Government Affairs Description: DESCRIPTION: Support the efforts of the Government Affairs Department in implementing its priorities and plans, at the direction of the Board of Directors. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Assist the Director of International and Government Affairs in implementing department priorities, furthering the international interests of communications technology manufacturers in the U.S. and abroad. • Develop and maintain relationships and open lines of communication with TIA members and relevant government agencies and other organizations, while focusing on international public policy related to the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. • Advocate TIA members' positions in other countries, through filings, letters, and coordination and active participation in bilateral and multilateral dialogues. • Draft and submit documents with relevant agencies in response...

Director, Middle East and North Africa Affairs

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Title: Director, Middle East and North Africa Affairs Description: POSITION OVERVIEW: Manage the U.S.-Iraq Business Initiative (USIBI), including policy formulation and oversight; membership recruitment and retention; financial development (fundraising) and accountability; communications; and event management. Contribute to the department's overall execution of Chamber trade and investment programs and policy positions. RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide strategic vision for the USIBI; organize business promotion efforts in Iraq; host senior-level Iraq government and other delegations, roundtables, and matchmaking opportunities; prepare legal and policy analyses and updates and member briefings; counsel and support the vice president and USIBI member companies; and broaden USIBI membership base to include SMEs and other companies active in the electricity, agriculture, transportation, and housing industries. Job Requirements REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's and 8+ years'...

Attorney

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Desired Position Title: Attorney Experience: WHITE & CASE LLP, Washington, D.C. Russian Contract Attorney, 03/12-present · Review Russian documents in Xerox Litigation Services (XLS) for a Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation into possible violations of the U.S Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE LLP, Pittsburgh, PA Contract Attorney, 10/11-02/12 · Reviewed documents in IT-Discovery for a class action tort suit resulting from a major gas line explosion. · Quality control and reviewed documents for privilege, confidentiality, and relevancy. UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF LAW, Pittsburgh, PA Legal Intern, Immigration Law Clinic, 08/10-09/11 · Represented indigent clients in immigration related matters (e.g. Asylum, VAWA, Family Based Visas, Cancellation of Removal). · Represented indigent clients in Executive...

Attorney

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:00:00 GMT

International Public Affairs Professional

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Desired Position Title: International Public Affairs Professional Experience: The PBN Company Washington, DC Account Manager February 2009 - February 2012 Participated in the design, implementation and oversight of projects and strategic consulting to achieve business objectives of U.S. and CIS corporations (BP, International Paper, John Deere, Rockwell Collins, Rosneft, Xerox). Served as lead program manager for a multi-year, multi-million dollar public education campaign in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan for the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Crafted custom research reports and memos assessing business, industry and regulatory developments using English, Russian and Ukrainian-language media sources. Organized and managed Washington roadshows for Russian and Ukrainian clients to...

China Business Development Manager

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:00:00 GMT

Desired Position Title: China Business Development Manager Experience: EMPLOYMENT Les Johnson & Associates July 2011 to present Business Development Manager Washington, D.C. · Develop long-term partnership with government agencies and food companies in China; · Assist front line negotiation with Chinese government agencies and companies; · Advise Chinese government agencies and companies in Jiangsu, Shandong, and Zhejiang Provinces in partnership with universities in China, on food safety and education projects. Business Advisory Services, US-China Business Council (USCBC) January 2011 to July 2011 Policy Research Assistant Washington, D.C. · Translated China's 12th Five Year Plan on National Economic and Social Development; ...

Associate, Analyst, Manager

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Desired Position Title: Associate, Analyst, Manager Experience: RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Monterey Institute of International Studies - Monterey, CA - 09/2011 - current Research Assistant to Chair, International Policy Studies · Edit forthcoming article challenging traditional consensus on urban development policy · Analyze model results on relationship between economic growth and urbanization United Nations Conference on Trade and Development - Geneva, Switzerland - 02/2011 - 08/2011 Investment Promotion Intern, Division of Investment and Enterprise · Developed training modules on investment promotion and capacity building · Mapped international investment dispute settlements' effects on African economic strategy · Coordinated high-level meetings on investment in clean energy and green technology · Drafted, edited, and translated trade and investment reports Monterey...

International Manager

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Desired Position Title: International Manager Experience: MANAGEMENT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH Arlington, VA Strategic Information Analyst, Business and Resource Department October 2009-May 2010 Tracked and developed procurements from Grants.gov, FedBizOps, Foundations and shared within the organization Communicated for partnerships with donors, strategic discussions, setting up brown bags, and reporting out Oversaw development of marketing packets for the organization Managed and updated business and resource departmental section of the website Maintained database of donor procurements and projects Led, mentored intern's assignments and supported weekly intern management Researched legislative action that affects the international development community Skills: VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Fairfax, VA Marketing Researcher/Student Services Assistant January 2006-December 2009 Researched...

International Trade Specialist (Latin America)

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:00:00 GMT

Desired Position Title: International Trade Specialist (Latin America) Experience: U.S.-MEXICO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Washington, DC August - December 2011 Trade Representative Intern Promote mutually beneficial trade and investment relationships between the United States and Mexico. - Develop research based White Papers to present to U.S. Congress - Recruit Binational members to chamber for $10,000 - Organize 'Innovation Conference' in Mexico City, Mexico ROYAL SHIPPING LINES, CORP., Miami, FL Consultant July 2009 - August 2010 Conducted problem-solving solutions regarding exporting goods, primarily vehicles, to Latin America in start-up company. - Prepared over 100 custom documents for clients in order to present to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Miami office - Managed implementation of appropriate export software for company which...

Trade Analyst or Economist

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:00:00 GMT

Desired Position Title: Trade Analyst or Economist Experience: EMPLOYMENT_________________________________________________________________________ Intern, Washington International Trade Association, Washington, DC, June 2011-Current Primary point of contact for 1500 member professional society Lead teams of volunteers for high profile trade policy events. Communicated often contentious trade policy topics in a non-partisan and neutral manner. Teaching Assistant, University of Virginia Dept. of Economics, Charlottesville, VA, Fall 2009-Spring 2011 Instructed and evaluated over 250 students in 6 sections of Principles of Microeconomics and 6 sections of Principles of Macroeconomics. Communicated and taught complicated economic concepts to students with no economic background Project Intern, Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Washington, DC and Gainesville, FL, Summer 2008 Created the...

POSTPONED: The Canada-EU FTA Negotiations: Update & Implications for the US

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:50:35 GMT

The two largest trading partners of the US are in negotiations for a potentially game-changing FTA. What are the goals of each party? How close is a potential agreement and what might it look like? What are the implications of a completed agreement for US & global business, and for US trade policy writ large?

WITA-YTP-WIIT World Trade Week Happy Hour, 5/22

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:52:12 GMT

Join members of WITA, WIIT and YTP as we celebrate World Trade Week over a glass, cup, or pint of your favorite adult beverage.With so many international beers to choose from, this is the perfect place to celebrate World Trade Week!

Save the Date! WITA/WITF Annual Awards Dinner, July 18, 2012

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:14:50 GMT

Don't miss out on the 'trade prom!' More details to come.

Association of Global Automakers

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:39:13 GMT

Platinum Sponsor

Diageo

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:53:37 GMT

Major Contributor

Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:48:22 GMT

Major Contributor

Consumer Electronics Association

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:05:43 GMT

Major Contributor

Business Software Alliance

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:35:47 GMT

Major Contributor

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:33:18 GMT

Major Contributor

Wiley Rein LLP

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:27:42 GMT

Gold Sponsor

**Home- WITA Magazine Featured Content

Thu, 17 May 2012 13:28:06 GMT

YTP Leadership

Mon, 14 May 2012 19:15:58 GMT

The YTP Executive Committee consists of nine members, who administer the logistics of the organization, coordinate YTP events and maintain member relations. Members are invited to serve either as officers or in supportive roles. Officer elections take place annually in September, and ad-hoc requests to support leadership are accepted at any time---just send an emial to the officer with whom you're interested in working. YTP Executive Committee: President Andrew Northup, Coalition of Service Industries President Emeritus David Gorgani, Inter-American Development Bank Vice President Andre Nakazawa, United States Senate, Office of Sen. Wyden Budget Coordinator Anish Tailor, Elliott School, George Washington University Communications Coordinator Peter Namie, Washington International Trade Association (WITA) Jackeline Galvez, Washington International Trade Association (WITA) Organizational Development Coordinator ...

WITA Staff

Mon, 14 May 2012 19:07:16 GMT

James Wilkinson, CAE Executive Director jwilkinson@wita.org 202-312-1600 (office) Executive Director James Wilkinson joined WITA in 2003. He is committed to growing the organization's membership by continuing WITA's programming tradition of offering timely topics, compelling speakers, and premier events. Prior to joining WITA, James managed business development and customer relations for several international educational organizations. Since joining WITA, membership has grown from under 1000 to 1700+ members. In Feb. 2012 he was appointed by US Secretary of Commerce John Bryson to the MD-DC District Export Council (DEC), which is a joint government/industry organization helping SME's in MD and DC to start, or grow, their export operations. James earned the prestigious CAE credential June 2011, from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and his Masters of Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University, in Dec. 2008. He has a BA in...

WITA Member of the Week

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:03:47 GMT

James Lim

Mr. Lim is an Associate at Coalition of Services Industry (CSI).

List of Corporate Sponsors

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:50:21 GMT

List of 2011-2012 Corporate Sponsors WITA gratefully acknowledges the help and support of our 2011-2012 corporate sponsors, without whom our activities would not be possible. All of our sponsors are important players in the arena of international trade. LOGIN INFO FOR GROUPS: If you are part of a group membership or sponsorship, every employee who is designated to be a WITA member has their own user name and password. Please contact your company's WITA point of contact, if you know them, or contact WITA directly to find out the information you need. Diamond Sponsors Abbott Labs Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP American Pork Export Trading Company The Boeing Company Business Roundtable Caterpillar Chevron Covington and Burling LLP King & Spalding Microsoft Corporation National Pork Producers Council New York Life Insurance Company Office of Trade Promotion at the Ronald Reagan Building Pfizer US Chamber of Commerce ...

The WITA Internship Experience - The Interns Speak!

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:36:22 GMT

For information on how to apply for a WITA internship, please click on Internships under the About tab. Quotes from former WITA interns: I hadn't realized trade actually means much more than toys made in China until I started working for WITA. I learned so much from our staff and members who are professionals with rich experiece in trade and trade policy. I helped prepare for events, took care of WITA's members and became friends with many of them. I am also proud of myself for the research project I completed analyzing the National Export Initiative. My Washington semester would never have been as valuable to me without this internship. Yancan Lydia Li, Claremont McKenna College, Economics and Government, Fall 2011 Intern. I have told many people that the WITA internship is one of the best internships in Washington DC. It is a great opportunity to connect you to local professionals in the trade community and become more visible in the DC professional...

WITA Internship

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:30:03 GMT

WITA no longer taking applications for the SUMMER 2012 internship as these positions have been filled. However we are now taking applications for the FALL 2012 internship. For quotes from past interns and details on internship duties: The WITA Internship Experience: WITA Interns speak! Seasonal Selection Cycle: Fall selections are made in August; Spring selections are made in November; Summer selections are made in March. Actual start dates may vary depending on the schedule of the student(s) selected. Interested applicants should apply prior to the start of the appropriate selection month for highest consideration. WITA is a non-profit, non-partisan voluntary organization dedicated to providing a neutral forum in the nation's capital for the open and robust discussion of international trade issues. We rely heavily upon the support and assistance of our volunteer interns. In return, interns are given tremendous opportunity to learn about the global trade...

Member Benefits

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:48:20 GMT

WITA Membership Benefits WITA has been recognized as One of Washington's Top 20 Networking Groups (Washingtonian Magazine, Nov. 2004). Why? Because the benefits of WITA membership have proven to be of tremendous value, year after year, to Washington's trade community. And we invite you to join us! Become a member of WITA and take advantage of: Discounts on WITA events, including the Annual Awards Dinner, Congressional Trade Agenda, and Governors and Ambassadors World Trade Reception Unparalelled networking opportunities On-line membership directory and business directory-- work that network! On-line Career Center- job postings, resume uploads, search agents, & more Access to Members-only events and Members-only areas and tools on WITA's website Leadership and volunteer opportunities Discounts and special offers Ancillary benefits of WITA's membership in the Federation of International Trade Associations (FITA) such...

2012 Lighthouse Award

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:58:28 GMT

The Washington International Trade Foundation

is calling for nominations for its

2012 Lighthouse Award

The Foundation asks you to nominate outstanding members of the trade policy community for this year’s award, to be presented at the WITA/WITF Annual Dinner on July 18, 2012.

Nominations should be 150 words or less, and should describe the contributions the individual has made over the course of his/her career to trade policy, the understanding of global trade, or expanding the benefits of global trade. It may be an individual who has worked in government, in industry, at an NGO, in the media, or some/all of the above.

Nominations for the Lighthouse Award will be only accepted from current WITA members. The nominee does not need to be a WITA member.

Nominations may be submitted to WITA Executive Director James Wilkinson or WITA Program Manager Javiera Gallardo by May 31, 2012.

All submissions are kept strictly confidential.

Details we will need are as follows:

Your name

Your Email address

Your nominee

Supporting details

YTPedia - Glossary of Terms

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:37:18 GMT

Important Trade Terms and Definitions Click here to download printable version *If you are a current YTP member and would like to make a suggestion regarding other important trade terms, please send your suggestions to events@wita.org. Thank you for your input! Andean Group Free trade zone made up in 1967 of Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela Anti-dumping duties Duties imposed on imported products that are determined to be either lower than the price in the home market or lower than the cost of production Anti-trust policy Action taken by governments to prohibit monopolies or unfair control by one firm Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Organization of eighteen countries that have committed to free trade by 2020. CARICOM Free trade area of the Caribbean countries that was formed in 1973. Caribbean Basin Initiative Created...

DSCN2231-001

Sat, 19 May 2012 20:34:10 GMT