WITA’s Friday Exchange: Just in Time Tariffs- Replacing IEEPA Tariffs with Section 301, and Dusting Off Section 338

In this week’s episode, our trade insiders dissect the administration’s newly imposed Section 301 tariffs on forced labor, hitting 60 trading partners. Our former negotiators debate the legal standing of the tariffs and the likelihood of whether or not they’ll hold up in court. They also unpack the novel use of Section 338 to threaten Canada ahead of the USMCA review, and the Pandora’s box it might become. Finally, the insiders discuss looming excess capacity 301s, the EU’s relief over Turnberry, and the case for a bipartisan review to modernize America’s trade laws.

Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative

Daniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East

Chris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade

Moderator: Joe Damond, Non-resident Senior Associate at Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in their Southeast Asia program; former Deputy Assistant USTR for Asia

Watch the Video on YouTube | Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Recorded at 9:00 AM US/ET on 06/24/2026 | WITA – The International Trade Association

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WITA’s Friday Focus on the 2026 WITA & FoundationAnnual Dinner

On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the Washington International Trade Association (WITA) and the Washington International Trade Foundation hosted their 2026 Annual Dinner. Every year, the Dinner attracts hundreds of top decision makers, policy shapers, and trade experts from D.C. and around the world, and is affectionately known as “Trade Prom.”

At this year’s Dinner, WITA and the Foundation honored Senator Todd Young and Senator Maria Cantwell with WITA’s Congressional Leadership Award. The event also featured an America 250 Performance by Alumni of Signature Theater’s Education Programs. In addition, every year, WITA and Foundation acknowledge the contributions of a member of the trade community with the Lighthouse Award. The recipient of the Lighthouse Award remains secret until revealed on stage during the Dinner.

This year, we were proud to recognize John Murphy, former Senior Vice President and Head of International at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.WITA and the Foundation sincerely thank all of the sponsors that make this event possible each year. We appreciate your support for international trade and are grateful for your contribution to help us bring the trade community together every year.

All the recordings of the 2026 WITA Annual Dinner can be accessed here.

Presentation of the Congressional Leadership Award to Senator Todd Young

Senator Todd Young receives the Congressional Leadership Award, presented by Nasim Fussell, Vice President of Trade and International at Business Roundtable, and Chair of WITA’s Board of Directors.

Presentation of the Congressional Leadership Award to Senator Maria Cantwell

Senator Maria Cantwell receives the Congressional Leadership Award, presented by Nasim Fussell, Vice President of Trade and International at Business Roundtable, and Chair of WITA’s Board of Directors.

Lighthouse Award Presented to John Murphy

Stephanie Lester and Sarah Thorn present the Lighthouse Award to this year’s recipient, John Murphy, former Senior Vice President and Head of International, US Chamber of Commerce.

The event featured an America 250 Performance by Alumni of Signature Theater’s Education Programs.

Full Video of 2026 Annual Dinner

View All Photos & Event Program

View All Photos Here

View Event Program Here

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