The
Latest in US-China Trade and Economic Developments
On
April 27, 2004 WIIT's Asia Pacific Section sponsored an off-the-record WIIT-Wide
luncheon discussion on current US-China trade developments in the context
of recent bilateral political and security issues. Deputy Assistant Secretary
of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Randy Schriver, provided insight
into the history of and diplomatic shifts in the bilateral relationship. Following
this overview, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Asia Pacific Policy
Hank Levine described the atmosphere and outcome of the recent meeting of
the US-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), as well as the
status of various sectoral issues of interest to the audience. Both speakers
offered candid comments in response to a variety of questions from a packed
room of approximately 50 Washington trade professionals.
WTO
Doha Round: Live from Geneva
A
May 25th, 2004 live videoconference from Geneva, Switzerland gave WIIT members
an opportunity to hear first-hand from the United States' lead representative
to the WTO in Geneva, Deputy USTR Ambassador Linnet Deily. Ambassador Deily
discussed developments in Doha Round negotiations since the Cancun Ministerial
in 2003 and prospects for agreement on frameworks by late July 2004. She noted
a steady accumulation of political initiatives in support of the Doha round,
notably at meetings associated with the May OECD Ministerial in Paris. Ambassador
Deily also highlighted key areas where further progress was necessary if frameworks
were to be concluded in the short time remaining before late July WTO General
Council meeting. The most immediate and difficult issue at the moment is striking
an acceptable balance between WTO members liberalizing ambitions and members
import sensitivities in the "market access" pillar of the agriculture.
Ambassador Deily welcomed all efforts aimed at resolving this issue, including
an anticipated paper from the Group of Twenty (G-20) setting out general principles.
Speaking to a packed room, Ambassador Deily's off-the-record remarks were
followed by a lively discussion with the capacity crowd of approximately 40
trade professionals. The WTO Section wishes to thank WIIT members and other
attendees for RSVPing with full information so that building security proceeded
smoothly. Many of those who had last-minute conflicts notified us, allowing
all those on the waiting list to attend.
Customs
Committee Hosted Luncheon with WTO's Judge Bacchus
On
April 16th, 2004, WIIT's Customs Section hosted its annual WIIT-wide lunch,
with Jim Bacchus, former Chief Judge, Appellate Body, World Trade Organization
(WTO), as its featured speaker. With C-SPAN cameras rolling, Judge Bacchus
reflected on his eight years at the WTO and on the importance of free trade
to all nations, industrialized to lesser developed. Free trade is the theme
of Judge Bacchus' new book Trade and Freedom. Approximately 40 attendees from
all areas of trade, including corporate and government sectors, had the pleasure
of hearing Judge Bacchus speak and engaged him in the lively Q&A session
that followed.
Professional
Development Committee Career Night
On
the evening of April 22, 2004, the Professional Development Committee held
its WIIT-wide Career Night at Touchstone Consulting, in Dupont Circle. The
event featured several public and private sector organization tables from
which participants could garner information. It was extremely well-attended
with over 80 participants, including all the table hosts. Organizations (and
their representatives present) included the Departments of Commerce and Treasury,
the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the U.S. International
Trade Commission (USITC), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Sheppard Mullin Richter
& Hampton LLP, White and Case LLP, Nathan Associates, The Services Group,
Inc, and Georgetown School of Foreign Service Career Development Center.
Karen Chopra, a career consultant and formerly at both the Department of Commerce
and USTR, gave the opening address (and evening's homework!) on networking.
This was followed by a brief address by 40Plus of Greater Washington, whose
speaker addressed the topic of career transition.
Participants mingled around the organization tables and talked to the representatives,
sampled food and wine and had the opportunity to have their resumes reviewed.
The keynote talk was delivered by Karen Toliver, WIIT member and Counsel at
Akin Gump, and formerly with the Import Administration in the U.S. Department
of Commerce.
The event was organized by Christine Briscoe, former VP for Professional Development,
and Kelly Smith of the Professional Development Committee, and a wonderful
team of volunteers. Thank you to all our volunteers and table hosts/organization
representatives!
2004
WIIT's Annual Meeting and Dinner
WIIT's
Annual Meeting and Dinner was held on May 4th, 2004. The Hon. Jennifer Dunn,
was recognized as the 2004 WIIT's Woman of the Year in International Trade.
Rep. Dunn is the Republican congressional representative to the US House of
Representatives from Washington state, which she has represented since. Rep.
Dunn sits on the House Committee on Ways and Means, and is the only female
member of the Subcommittee on Trade.
At the WIIT business meeting
preceding the dinner, the WIIT Officers for the 2004-2005 year were elected
and presented. A list of your new officers can be found at http://www.wiit.org/about/about.htm