Ep. 49 – Leverage vs. Certainty: The: “Steel”ing of America, USMCA, 301s, and Article I Powers

06/26/2026

|

WITA

Watch or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Former Trade Negotiators Discuss This Week’s Tariff Trade Developments.

No one understands the dynamics with key U.S. trading partners better than the people who led these kinds of difficult trade negotiations for the United States. Panelists will update our viewers on the trade policy announcements, what remains undone; and what are expected next steps in these trade negotiations.

In this week’s episode, our trade insiders dig into the USMCA review process. With the upcoming trilateral meeting on July 1, anything and everything is up for debate. Our former negotiators unpack the divergence over rules of origin, the rising cost of steel and aluminum, and the slow march toward a North American trade fortress. The insiders also cover the summer of the 301s, USTR’s half-deals with various countries, and the China question hanging over the auto industry. They also discussed whether Congress will play a larger role in strategy and the business community’s view on the administration’s trade policy decisions.

Featured Speakers:

Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Association

Kate Kalutkiewicz, Senior Managing Director, McLarty Associates; former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Trade, National Economic Council, in the first Trump Administration

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

Stephen Vaughn, Partner, International Trade, King & Spalding LLP; former General Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative under first Trump Administration

Moderator: Arun Venkataraman, Partner, Covington & Burling; former Assistant Secretary of Commerce & Director General of the US & Foreign Commercial Service; and former Director for India and associate general council at USTR