USCIB Points to Unclear CBP Forced Labor Provisions, IP Protection in Agenda for 2017
The U.S. Council of International Business plans to work with the Trump administration and Congress to address the "lack of clear standards at U.S. customs for forced labor," the USCIB said in its "American Competitiveness Agenda" for 2017 (here). CBP is working on new regulations to implement the forced labor provisions of the customs reauthorization law, which repealed "consumptive demand" considerations (see 1606170040). Other issues important to the USCIB include "inadequate or eroding IP protection, and illicit trade." The trade group also urged "the Administration to seek improvements to pending and existing agreements, rather than withdraw from them, and work to advance negotiations for strong, pro-competitive trade and investment agreements going forward." In a separate news release (here), the USCIB said it is disappointed by President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (see 1701230041).
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The USCIB agenda includes a framework for how to improve U.S. competitiveness. The USCIB advises that the U.S. pursue trade agreements that meet the standards of recent trade legislation, such as the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, and use enforcement actions to protect U.S. rights and promote fair competition "while avoiding measures that unduly disrupt trade." Cross-border regulatory consultations should also be used "in order to achieve regulatory coherence and mutual recognition when appropriate to achieve regulatory reforms that reduce unnecessary and excessive regulations," it said. There's room for improvement within NAFTA, USCIB said. "The agreement provides a platform on which to build new disciplines to better meet the needs of today’s economic landscape," it said. "For example, USCIB would support updates" that "better reflect the modern economy, including the reality of North American supply chains that enhance U.S. competitiveness," it said.