Ep. 46 – WITA’s Friday Exchange: Tariff  & Trade Deja Vu: The New Tariff Regime that’s Coming Seems A Lot Like the Old One

The Honorable Kelly Ann Shaw is a partner in Akin’s lobbying and public policy practice. She is recognized as one of the world’s leading international trade, global economics, and national security advisors. Her practice focuses on the complex intersection of trade, supply chains, and geopolitics, including tariff and customs issues, forced labor (UFLPA), national security measures, investment restrictions, World Trade Organization (WTO) litigation, as well as arctic, energy, global financial, and industrial policies.

Kelly Ann spent a decade in government service, holding a number of high-profile and influential roles as a senior U.S. negotiator, litigator, diplomat, and policy advisor. Most recently, she served as President Trump’s Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs, where she was one of the key architects of the administration’s trade, investment, energy, and national security policies. She was also the United States’ lead negotiator (Sherpa) for the G7, G20, and APEC, and a key negotiator of the U.S.-China Phase One Deal, among others.

Prior to the White House, Shaw served as Trade Counsel to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee and as Assistant General Counsel for USTR in Washington, D.C., and Geneva. She has represented the U.S. in more than 40 WTO disputes and served as a lead negotiator for several major U.S. trade negotiations.

Shaw has been named one of Washington, D.C.’s Most Influential People by Washingtonian Magazine for four consecutive years (2022-2025), a Next Generation Partner by The Legal 500, and recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America. She has testified multiple times before the U.S. Congress and has been a frequent media commentator for outlets around the world. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia Law School, a senior advisor (non-resident) for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and as a U.S. appointee to the USMCA Chapter 10 Dispute Settlement Panel Roster.

Ed Gresser is Vice President and Director for Trade and Global Markets at PPI. Gresser rejoined PPI in 2021, after an earlier tour from 2001 to 2011. Before rejoining, he served from 2015 to 2021 as the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Trade Policy and Economics at the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), where he led USTR’s economic research unit, oversaw the Generalized System of Preferences, and chaired the 21-agency Trade Policy Staff Committee.

Gresser began his career on Capitol Hill before serving at USTR as Policy Advisor to USTR Charlene Barshefsky from 1998 to 2001. He then led PPI’s Trade and Global Markets Project from 2001 to 2011. After leaving PPI, he co-founded and directed the independent think tank ProgressiveEconomy until rejoining USTR in 2015.

Gresser is a graduate of Stanford University and holds a master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University, along with a certificate from the Averell Harriman Institute for Advanced Study of the Soviet Union. He is the author of Freedom from Want: American Liberalism and the Global Economy (2007), has published in a variety of journals and newspapers, and regularly testifies before congressional committees on trade and global-economy topics. His research has been cited by leading academics and international organizations including the WTO, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund, and has been covered by outlets ranging from the New York Times and Washington Post to Vogue, NPR, CNN, Politico, the Wall Street Journal, and the Financial Times.

In 2013, the Washington International Trade Association presented Gresser with its Lighthouse Award, given annually to an individual or group for significant contributions to trade policy.

Michael J. Smart is a Managing Director at Rock Creek Global Advisors, where he focuses on international trade and investment policy, including market access and regulatory matters. He also advises multinational companies on sanctions, supply chain policy, and trade-related climate measures.

Mr. Smart previously served as Trade Counsel on the Democratic staff of the US Senate Committee on Finance. In that role, he advised Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and members of the committee on various trade matters, including World Trade Organization negotiations and dispute settlement, free trade agreements, agricultural trade, and the trade aspects of legislation to address climate change.

Before joining the Finance Committee, Mr. Smart was Director for International Trade and Investment on the staff of the National Security Council at the White House. Mr. Smart focused on the Doha Development Agenda, trade in financial services, free trade agreements, and bilateral investment treaties. He also served as the lead White House staff for cabinet-level dialogues with Brazil and India.

Mr. Smart was previously an associate at the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP, where his practice focused on international trade and investment policy and dispute resolution. He represented companies and governments in WTO, investment treaty, and NAFTA disputes. Earlier in his career, Mr. Smart was Legislative Director for former Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND).

Mr. Smart has appeared on CNN International, BBC News, Bloomberg News, and Channel News Asia and has been quoted in publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Politico, and Financial Times.

Mr. Smart is a member of the Executive Circle of the Institute of International Economic Affairs at The George Washington University and a member of the Board of Directors of the Washington International Trade Association. Mr. Smart received his BA in International Affairs from The George Washington University (Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude) and his JD from Georgetown University Law Center (cum laude).

Christopher Padilla is a Senior Advisor based in Brunswick’s Washington, DC office. He brings senior experience from decades spent in government policy and corporate roles, and practical perspective from his time as a supply chain practitioner. He has championed advocacy efforts on trade, tariffs, and tax policy at the highest levels of government worldwide.

Previously, Padilla led global government and regulatory affairs for IBM Corporation for 15 years. He oversaw a team of advocacy professionals in 36 countries, and trade and sanctions compliance for IBM’s global operations.

Before IBM, Padilla held senior roles in the Commerce Department. The President twice appointed him to Senate-confirmed positions, as Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, and as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration. He also held roles as an Assistant United States Trade Representative, a Senior Advisor at the Department of State, and as a member of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.

Earlier, he spent 15 years in marketing, business development, and international trade relations roles at AT&T and Eastman Kodak Company. He holds a B.A. and M.A. in international economics from Johns Hopkins University.