Monday, December 16, 2013

Here's What We're Covering This Week

What We’re Covering This Week......

The week begins with the start of the third round of negotiations on the TransAtlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. US and European Union negotiators meet here in Washington through Friday.
Another big trade meeting this week takes place in Beijing beginning Thursday, when top-level US and Chinese officials gather for the annual meeting of the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade.
Here are some of the events we’ll be following:
             ●          On Monday, the third TTIP round gets underway and continues through the week.
             ●          Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker holds a Twitter chat to discuss her department’s “Open for Business Agenda,” which focuses on revitalizing the National Export Initiative to double US exports and on promoting more foreign investment in the United States.
             ●          As the TTIP negotiations begin, a group of citizen organizations hold a press conference call briefing to outline their concerns with the trade pact.
             ●          On Tuesday, the US Chamber of Commerce holds its annual roundtable gathering US intellectual property attaches stationed around the globe.
             ●          The Global Business Dialogue holds a program assessing the outcomes of the World Trade Organization’s Bali ministerial held earlier this month.  Assistant US Trade Representative for WTO and multilateral affairs Mark Linscott is among the speakers.
             ●          Also Tuesday, the Senate Banking Committee holds a hearing on the nomination of Arun M. Kumar to be assistant secretary of Commerce and director general of the US and Foreign Commercial Service.
             ●          Another TTIP-related event, this time a public symposium sponsored by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.
             ●          On Wednesday, TTIP negotiations break temporarily for a public event with stakeholders.
             ●          The American Enterprise Institute sponsors a program on Congress’ role in trade with Sen. Jeff Flake.
             ●          Ebay hosts an event on being a global small business.
             ●          The Senate Foreign Relations East Asian and Pacific affairs subcommittee holds a hearing on economic engagement in the Asia Pacific region with witnesses from the departments of State and Commerce.
             ●          Thursday, the two-day meeting of the US-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade begins in Beijing.
             ●          The DC Bar sponsors a program on US-India trade issues, with speakers including Arun Venkataraman from USTR.
             ●          Indonesian Ambassador Dino Patti Djalal discusses his country’s economic development at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
             ●          Politico sponsors a breakfast program with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.
             ●          Friday, the third round of TTIP negotiations concludes with a press conference.
             ●          This year’s meeting of the US-China JCCT concludes in Beijing.

See you there!

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Here's What We're Covering This Week



What We’re Covering This Week......

This week begins with a crucial meeting of trade ministers from the 12 TransPacific Partnership countries, who are racing to meet the goal of largely completing the trade pact by the end of this year.
             ●          On Monday, TPP trade ministers continue their meeting, which began over the weekend.  The meeting is expected to conclude Tuesday.
             ●          Tuesday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee hears from Secretary of State Kerry about the status of nuclear talks with Iran.  Expects lots of questions about whether US sanctions should be tightened.
             ●          The Atlantic Council sponsors a program on the other big trade negotiation taking place – the TransAtlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.  Sen. Christopher Murphy speaks.
             ●          Also on Tuesday, the Commerce Department’s Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee meets.
             ●          The American Enterprise Institute sponsors a discussion on Congress’ role in trade and the TransPacific Partnership with speakers including Sen. Jeff Flake.
             ●          Wednesday, the Washington International Trade Association sponsors a program on global supply chains and social responsibility.  Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Business and Economic Affairs Robert Manogue is among the speakers.
             ●          The Senate Finance subcommittee on international trade, customs and global competitiveness holds a hearing on the digital trade agenda.
             ●          Also Wednesday, the East West Center sponsors a program on the US-Korea relationship with speakers including Reps. David Reichert and Mike Honda.
             ●          Deputy US Trade Representative Miriam Sapiro discusses TTIP at a forum sponsored by the Foreign Policy Group.
             ●          On Thursday, the Practising Law Institute holds its annual export controls seminar.
             ●          The Senate Banking Committee holds a hearing on the nuclear agreement with Iran, with a panel of Administration officials.
             ●          The Center for Strategic and International Studies sponsors a program on Korea’s recently-stated interest in joining the TPP, with Korean Ambassador Ahn Ho-Young and Acting Deputy USTR Wendy Cutler.
             ●          Friday, the President’s Export Council subcommittee on export administration holds an open meeting by teleconference.
             ●          US and European Union farm policy is the subject of a discussion sponsored by the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.  EU agriculture official Tassos Haniotis and Agriculture Chief Economist Joe Glauber speak.

See you there!

Monday, December 2, 2013

What We're Covering This Week


This is the make-or-break week for the World Trade Organization as trade officials from around the world gather in Bali to see if they can put together a small package on trade facilitation and other development measures.

             ●          Monday, discussions get underway in Bali as negotiators try to close some big remaining gaps in the trade facilitation package so that the 9th WTO ministerial is a success.
             ●          US Trade Representative Michael Froman, however, will be focusing on the TransPacific Partnership.  He visits Hanoi to meet with government officials about the TPP in preparation for a trade ministers meeting at the end of the week.
             ●          The 9th WTO ministerial officially gets underway in Bali on Tuesday and continues through Friday.
             ●          Colombian President Santos is in Washington this week.  He speaks on Tuesday to the National Press Club.
             ●          TransAtlantic relations – including the US-European Union trade agreement negotiations – will be the theme when a panel of European lawmakers speak at an event at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
             ●          USTR Froman moves on to Malaysia to continue his TPP discussions before heading to Bali for the WTO ministerial.
             ●          On Wednesday, the Washington International Trade Association sponsors a program on the North American Free Trade Agreement and manufacturing.
             ●          Colombian President Santos talks trade and investment at a US Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
             ●          Also Wednesday, the House Foreign Affairs Asia and Pacific subcommittee holds a hearing on US policy toward Burma, with a panel of Administration witnesses.
             ●          On Thursday, the Center for Strategic and International Studies sponsors a program on the TPP with the chairs of the new Congressional Friends of the TPP Caucus.
             ●          Ongoing efforts to craft a final US farm bill will certainly be on the agenda at the annual Farm Journal Forum.
             ●          Friday, should be the final – and hopefully successful – day of the 9th WTO ministerial.
             ●          On Saturday, TPP trade ministers move on to Singapore for a three-day meeting that they hope will pretty much wrap up negotiations on the 12 country trade agreement.

See you there!