Category: Press Releases and Statements

NFTC Outlines Business Priorities During OECD Tax Consultation

Posted on by dcadmin

PARIS, FRANCE – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for International Tax Policy Anne Gordon yesterday delivered remarks during the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Consultation on Amount A of Pillar One.

“The NFTC has always stressed the importance of non-discriminatory tax practices that allow U.S. companies to fairly compete – and thrive – in international markets,” said Anne Gordon. “We are proud to continue working with the OECD and other international stakeholders to ensure that the new OECD tax framework creates a level-playing field for all of our companies.”

During her testimony, she highlighted the importance of continued work on:

  • Further clarification on the definition of ‘relevant similar measures;’
  • A principled agreement on withholding taxes;
  • Clarity on measures such as diverted profit taxes;
  • Removal of all DSTs and repercussions for those countries who impose new DSTs or unilateral measures; and
  • Rules regarding the imposition of sub-national taxes that may circumvent Pillar One.

The full testimony can be found here.

###

About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses.

NFTC Statement on IPEF Ministerial

Posted on by dcadmin

LOS ANGELES – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for Global Trade Policy Tiffany Smith today issued the following statement following the conclusion of the first Indo-Pacific Framework (IPEF) Ministerial in Los Angeles, California.

“We appreciate the roadmaps laid out by the United States and regional trading partners and congratulate Ambassador Tai and Secretary Raimondo for their leadership in Los Angeles. Now the hard work begins. We urge countries to quickly build on this momentum to negotiate towards commercially-meaningful commitments.

“As countries look towards short-term wins, there’s a real opportunity to develop robust commitments on digital trade and trade facilitation to maximize the benefits of the global digital economy for small businesses and workers and advance regional technology innovation.

“The business community is eager to engage with USTR, the Commerce Department and stakeholders in the region to provide advice and input as work on all aspects of this initiative continues. We also look forward to brainstorming complementary pathways to further the shared objectives identified in the IPEF declaration, including exploring the benefits of market access for advancing energy security and transition, supply chain resilience and a more inclusive digital economy.”

###

About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses.

NFTC Statement on Withdrawal from U.S. Tax Treaty with Hungary

Posted on by dcadmin

WASHINGTON D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin released the following statement in response to reports that the United States would take steps to withdraw from the U.S. tax treaty with Hungary.

“Withdrawing from our bilateral tax treaty due to Hungary’s concerns with the EU Directive is counterproductive.

“The United States should want to be regarded as a reliable treaty partner, and these actions instead may erode the trust of other current and potential future partners.

“We strongly urge the Treasury Department to reconsider this decision, which creates uncertainty and harms businesses and workers in both countries, and to instead redouble efforts to work with the Senate to ratify the updated U.S.-Hungary Tax Treaty that remains pending.”

###

About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses.

Anne Gordon Joins NFTC as Vice President for International Tax Policy

Posted on by dcadmin

Washington D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin today announced that Anne Gordon has joined the NFTC as Vice President for International Tax Policy.

Ms. Gordon most recently served as Tax Counsel in the office of Senator Rob Portman, where she advised the Senator on tax policy and served as liaison to the Senate Finance Committee.

Throughout her career, Anne has held various jobs in both the private and public sector, having previously served as Tax Counsel for Senator Young, Manager for Tax Services at PricewaterhouseCoopers and in a number of roles at the Departments of Energy and the Treasury.

“Anne’s deep international tax expertise and experience with politics and policy across the Federal Government and private sector will be an asset to NFTC and our member companies,” said Colvin. “We are thrilled that she will lead our international tax policy work.” Anne’s full bio can be found below.

—

Anne Gordon
Vice President, International Tax Policy

Anne Gordon is Vice President for International Tax Policy at the National Foreign Trade Council, the leading business association dedicated solely to advancing the interests of U.S. companies in international commerce.

Anne previously served in the U.S. Senate as Tax Counsel to two Senators Rob Portman and Todd Young of the Senate Finance Committee. During her time in the Senate, Ms. Gordon was one of the lead staff involved in drafting the tax provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

She has also worked in the International Tax Services practice of PwC’s National Tax Services office, where she gained experience on a wide array of U.S. international tax issues including cross-border mergers and acquisitions and issues arising in the context of anti-deferral regimes, including Sub-part F. She also advised clients on debt issuance and modification, foreign currency issues, treaty benefits, GILTI, section 163(j), FDII and BEAT.

She has also held several positions in the U.S. Departments of Energy and the Treasury and clerked at the U.S. Tax Court for Judges Tamara W. Ashford, Mark V. Holmes, Richard T. Morrison, and Robert A. Wherry, Jr.

Anne graduated from The George Washington University with a B.A. in Classical Studies and Political Science, and an M.P.P. focusing on business-government relations. She received her J.D. from Boston College Law School and her LL.M. in Taxation with a certificate in International Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center.

###

About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses.

NFTC Statement on the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference

Posted on by dcadmin

WASHINGTON DC – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin today issued the following statement following the conclusion of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva:

“It is clear that there’s a tremendous need for a vibrant WTO that is able to tackle shared global priorities, but this ministerial laid bare the increasingly severe limits to meaningful outcomes that require unanimous agreement.

“Rather than digging into conversations about forward-looking solutions to pressing global challenges, ministers spent an alarming amount of time trying to prevent backpedaling on existing WTO rules at the behest of a small handful of countries.

“While we welcome the extension of the e-commerce moratorium, it’s beyond frustrating that officials spent the entire conference preventing its demise rather than looking ahead at how to further strengthen the global digital economy.

“The WTO also missed an opportunity to tackle genuine barriers to pandemic response, as officials largely focused on an inconsequential effort to create new exceptions to the global IP framework instead of aggressively pursuing robust commitments on trade facilitation, export restrictions and market access barriers.

“One bright spot was the agreement on fisheries subsidies, which is an important signal of the ability of trade policy to help address shared environmental challenges.

“We commend Director-General Dr. Okonjo-Iweala and those ministers who worked in good faith for their hard work to advance a positive agenda for the multilateral trading system.

“Looking ahead, it’s vital for the vast majority of WTO members who want to see the organization address shared priorities like e-commerce, supply chains, inclusive growth, climate and health pursue flexible pathways that foster commercially-meaningful outcomes and prevent any one member from obstructing progress.”

###

About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses

NFTC Welcomes Launch of Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity

Posted on by dcadmin

WASHINGTON D.C. – In response to the launch of the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity in Los Angeles today, National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin released the following statement:

“The America’s Partnership for Economic Prosperity is an opportunity for the United States to build on its already-strong network of close trade relationships throughout the Western Hemisphere.

“The United States and its economic partners in the region have a chance to hit the ground running, using existing agreements with countries in the region as well as improvements made to the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Trade Agreement (USMCA) as a starting point for deeper economic integration and concrete commitments in areas like customs and trade facilitation and digital trade.

“We look forward to working with the Biden Administration and our partners in the region to ensure this framework delivers commercially-meaningful outcomes that address inflation, improve supply chains and create a more inclusive and sustainable economy across our hemisphere.”

###

About NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses.

NFTC Calls for Concrete and Commercially Meaningful Outcomes from IPEF

Posted on by dcadmin

WASHINGTON D.C. – In response to the launch of discussions towards an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), NFTC President Jake Colvin released the following statement:

“It’s important to see the United States taking a leadership role in the region, and today’s launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is a significant signaling exercise at a time of historic economic and geopolitical challenges.

“While it’s not a comprehensive trade deal, the potential for real economic gains exists if the economies choose to seize it.

“In particular, IPEF’s trade dialogue presents a unique opportunity to offer a different path on digital issues than the one that countries like China and Russia are following. There’s also a real chance to think outside the box to support regulatory dialogues on new issues like frontier technologies; the use of digital tools to facilitate access to renewable energy markets; and more inclusive participation in the regional economy.

“IPEF is also a chance to align on ambitious supply chain commitments that could ease customs bottlenecks in the region and facilitate global trade.

“The business community looks forward to working with the Administration and other stakeholders to shape concrete and commercially-meaningful outcomes in a timely manner.”

###

About NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses.

NFTC Welcomes Continued Transatlantic Engagement

Posted on by dcadmin

WASHINGTON D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Jake Colvin today released the following statement following the conclusion of the second meeting of the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC):

“Faced with economic and security challenges around the world, it’s never been more important for the United States to develop closer trade ties with our partners in Europe.

“The recent TTC meetings provide a solid foundation to advance shared transatlantic trade priorities. In particular, we welcome efforts to enhance cooperation on export controls and critical infrastructure, next steps to help small businesses leverage digital tools, and work to promote sustainable and resilient supply chains.

“These developments hint at the potential for the United States and Europe to utilize trade tools to reduce supply chain bottlenecks, enhance national security, address shared environmental and labor priorities, and create a more inclusive transatlantic marketplace.

“NFTC looks forward to working with USTR, the Commerce Department and the European Union to realize commercially-meaningful outcomes from the TTC’s work.”

###

About the NFTC
Serving America’s Global Businesses Since 1914 – The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules- based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves 100 member companies through its office in Washington D.C