WITA’s Friday Exchange: War, Global Trade Pressures, China, Europe, Mexico, Japan and the Durability of Tariffs
In the latest episode of the Friday Exchange, our trade insiders break down the evolving uncertainty around U.S. tariff policy as Section 301 emerges as a key tool to sustain leverage and potentially fill the gap. The panel examines the durability of existing trade frameworks and agreements, along with growing tensions with partners in Europe and Asia, where ongoing and potential Section 301 investigations could complicate negotiations and ratification efforts. The discussion also turns to the broader geopolitical context shaping trade, including the postponed U.S. China Summit, the increasing use of economic leverage, China’s control of critical mineral supply chains, and global energy vulnerabilities affecting the U.S. and its allies. Panelists also look ahead to the USMCA review, and potential divergence in outcomes with Canada and Mexico.
Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership Association
Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative
Everett Eissenstat, Partner, Public Policy Practice Group, Squire Patton Boggs; former Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs and Deputy Director, National Economic Council in the first Trump Administration; and the former Assistant USTR for the Americas, among other roles
Chris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade
Mike Smart, Managing Director, Rock Creek Global Advisors; former Director for International Trade and Investment, National Security Council, The White House; former Trade Counsel, Democratic Staff, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance
Watch the Video on YouTube | Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Recorded at 8:45 AM US/ET on 03/20/2026 | WITA
WITA’s Friday Focus on the WTO Matters Series
The conversations you may have missed on WITA’s WTO Matters Series, and information on upcoming events.
As WTO Members prepare for the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Cameroon, WITA International hosted a global webinar series: WTO Matters. The series explored the core functions of the WTO, reforms needed to keep the institution effective and relevant, and the key policy issues shaping debates.
The WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC 14) takes place in Cameroon from March 26 to 29. To conclude WITA’s WTO Matters Series, on March 17th we discussed key issues on the MC 14 agenda, including the moratorium on duties for electronic transmissions and efforts to more fully integrate small economies into the multilateral trading system. Panelists also discussed a post-MC 14 work-plan on WTO reform, and how the organization stays relevant in a time of volatility and uncertainty.
Featuring:
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organization
Panel Discussion:
Jake Colvin, President, National Foreign Trade Council; Executive Director, Global Innovation Forum
Cecilia Malmström, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics; former European Commissioner for Trade
Penny Naas, Senior Vice President, Innovation and Competitiveness, German Marshall Fund of the United States
Ambassador Tan Hung Seng, Singapore Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO and WIPO, Permanent Mission of Singapore
Moderator: Angela Ellard, Senior Advisor (non-resident), Center for Strategic and International Studies; former Deputy Director General, World Trade Organization
03/17/2026 | WITA
Past Events in WITA’s WTO Matters Series
WITA – We put the community in trade community.
Information about upcoming WITA and trade community events