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International Issues Update 2023/42

By November 9, 2023No Comments

ON OUR DESKS

  • Preparing Red Flag remarks for WTO special session on risk communication
  • Executing client engagement plans for the UN Climate Summit (COP28) in Dubai (note: the U.S. government is surveying U.S. stakeholders’ planned COP28 attendance)
  • Assessing business impacts and addressing inquiries regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict
  • Mapping senior outreach for European, Middle Eastern, and East Asian embassies

These are just examples of client service. How can we help you? Email any IBC counsellor for assistance or consult our issues list to find the expert you’re looking for.

WIBC DISCUSSIONS

Upcoming WIBC events:

  • November 14: Director of the Labor Department’s Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking Marcia Eugenio, Eliminating forced labor in trade and global supply chains
  • November 16: Chief Trade Counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee (Minority Staff) Alexandra Whittaker, Congressional trade priorities

REMINDER: Our client portal, WIBC calendar, and other resources are available at redflag.global/washington.

WIBC discussions are open to WIBC members only. Not a member? Contact Alix for membership inquiries.

YOU NEED TO KNOW

Americas

President Biden hosted on November 3 the inaugural Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP) Leaders’ Summit, focused on five priority areas laid out in a joint leaders declaration: regional competitiveness and integration, shared prosperity and good governance, sustainable infrastructure, climate and environment, and healthy communities. Contrary to early expectations when APEP was first announced, the initiative is not expected to involve text-based negotiations. Ministers across three tracks (foreign affairs, trade, and finance) will meet annually to identify specific actions and projects to advance the five APEP priorities, and leaders will next meet in Costa Rica in 2025. 

In conjunction with the summit, the United States announced a host of new initiatives for the region, including a joint investment platform for sustainable infrastructure and critical economic sectors, a USAID-supported multi-year entrepreneur accelerator program, and grants to expand infrastructure and social services for migrants. The administration also announced a State Department initiative to develop a robust regional semiconductor workforce and a new IDB fund for innovative and scalable nature-based solutions. During travel following the summit, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, Oceans, and the Environment José Fernandez helped launch the regional entrepreneurship accelerator and met with regional leaders to discuss issues including plastic pollution, renewable energy, critical mineral supply chains, and healthcare. 

Contact: Ethan Knecht, Stephen Ziehm

China

As China’s economy continues to struggle, deflationary pressures worsen, and exports fall, Premier Li Qiang pledged during the 6th annual China International Import Expo (CIIE) that China will expand market access and increase imports to $17 trillion over the next five years, including by prioritizing action to lift foreign investment restrictions and boost digital trade. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also attended the summit during a visit he said led to “significant progress” in previously frosty relations. 

Presidents Biden and Xi Jinping are expected to meet during the November 15-17 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Annual Leaders Meeting, but administration officials are reportedly downplaying possible deliverables while noting that “fundamental differences in the relationship will remain unchanged.” G7 Foreign Ministers, meeting in Japan November 8, underscored these differences in their joint statement, where they reiterated commitment to Taiwan’s defense, countering PRC economic coercion, and protecting critical technologies.

By contrast, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng sounded a positive note, saying the PRC is ready to “strengthen communication and dialogue with the United States at all levels.” China and the United States will reportedly restart military-to-military talks, which had been suspended after former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s August 2022 visit to Taiwan. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will also continue in San Francisco on November 9-10 her bilateral dialogue on economic and financial issues with Vice Premier He Lifeng. 

Amid these touchpoints, Congressional scrutiny of China remains sharp. Representatives Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), respectively Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCCP), sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai requesting the administration consider launching a new Section 301 investigation into the harm that a sudden increase of imports could pose to the American automotive industry and American workers. 

Contact: Ethan Knecht, Pat Sheehy

Quick takes

  • Leading U.S. business associations have called for the the United States to reverse its withdrawal of support for proposed World Trade Organization (WTO) digital trade disciplines, while Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and 10 other Democratic lawmakers commended the changed U.S. position and called for new language “to ensure regulatory agencies and Congress are able to counter Big Tech abuses.”
  • Treasury’s semiannual report on foreign exchange practices did not identify any major trading partners as currency manipulators but called for increased transparency from China, which it listed as meriting “close monitoring,” along with Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam. 
  • President Biden issued a veto threat against a Senate-passed resolution that would overturn a waiver of “Buy America” requirements for electric vehicle chargers.  Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) argues the waiver benefits Chinese companies, while the Biden administration says the resolution would chill domestic investment.
  • Following a November 8 G7 foreign ministers meeting in Japan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel, stating that Hamas cannot be allowed to remain in power but opposing long term occupation, displacement of Palestinians, erosion of Gazan territory, or attempts to “​blockade or besiege” the territory. 

NOTICES, BILLS & HEARINGS

Federal Register Notices

Newly Introduced Legislation

House

  • H.R.6211 (Zinke, R-MT) – Would prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Secretary of State, as applicable, from issuing visas to nationals of Palestine.
  • H.R.6212 (Rutherford, R-FL) – Would provide for a moratorium on oil and gas leasing and exploration on the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of Florida until 2032.
  • H.R.6217 (Jackson, R-TX) – Would provide for emergency acquisition authority in the event of armed attack against a United States ally or partner by a foreign adversary of the United States.
  • H.R.6232 (McClellan) – Would establish an interagency committee on soil carbon sequestration research.
  • H.R.6245 (Hill, R-AR) – Would require the Secretary of the Treasury to report on financial institutions’ involvement with officials of the Iranian Government.
  • H.R.6247 (Mills, R-FL) – Would modify the scope of the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.
  • H.R.6250 (Molinaro, R-NY) – Would require the heads of certain Federal agencies to report to Congress ties of agency employees to Hamas or the display of support for Hamas.
  • H.R.6262 (Davidson, R-OH) – Would implement reforms relating to foreign intelligence surveillance authorities.
  • H.R.6299 (Gimenez, R-FL) – Would require origin and location disclosure for new products of foreign origin offered for sale on the internet.
  • H.R.6306 (Mills, R-FL) – Would amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to prohibit the acquisition or lease of a consular or diplomatic post built or owned by an entity beneficially owned by the People’s Republic of China.
  • H.R.6307 (Nunn, R-IA) – Would prohibit certain actions and require reporting to defend against the economic and national security risks posed by foreign adversarial blockchain networks.
  • H.Res.843 (Issa, R-CA) – Reaffirms the United States-Philippines alliance and condemns the gray zone campaign of the People’s Republic of China in the South China Sea against the Philippines.

Senate

  • S.3228 (Kelly, D-AZ) – Would prohibit certain members and former members of the Armed Forces from accepting employment with government entities of the People’s Republic of China or the Russian Federation.
  • S.3234 (Wyden, D-OR) – Would implement reforms relating to foreign intelligence surveillance authorities.
  • S.3235 (Risch, R-ID) – Would require a strategy to counter the role of the People’s Republic of China in evasion of sanctions imposed by the United States with respect to Iran.
  • S.3238 (Ossoff, D-GA) – Would make a supplemental appropriation to the Secretary of State to carry out the mission and activities of the United States Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
  • S.3248 (Scott, R-FL) – Would prohibit money service businesses from engaging in any transaction that involves a central bank digital currency issued by the People’s Republic of China.

Upcoming Congressional Hearings

House

Senate

WHO’S WHO

Arrivals

  • Andrew Winternitz, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia
  • Ben Haas, Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Chief of Staff
  • Lori Prater, Tax and Trade Counsel for Ways and Means Vice Chair Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
  • Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, National Institutes of Health Director
  • Beth Pearson, Chief of Staff for Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
  • Ambassador Youssef Amrani, Ambassador of Morocco to the United States

Want more scoops on personnel moves? Find the most recent Who’s Who here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Looking farther ahead? Find the most recent full international events calendar here.

Any issue areas you would like highlighted? Have a specific monitoring request? Reach out to us.

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