With the mid-term elections approaching (November) in the United States (US), the White House and those Members of Congress up for re-election (the full House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate) continue to focus domestic matters of concern for American voters – namely the US economy, high gas prices, and an inflation rate that … Continue Reading
On Monday, October 4, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai gave a speech outlining the Biden Administration’s approach to the US-China trade relationship. While the speech was light on specifics, it provided for the first time a framework through which to view President Biden’s trade policies on China. From SPB’s perspective, the speech contained two notable … Continue Reading
In a surprising announcement last week, the United States (US) reversed course on its position towards the COVID-10 TRIPS Agreement waiver negotiations, saying it would negotiate a waiver at the World Trade Organization (WTO). US Republican lawmakers and the pharmaceutical industry pushed back on the decision, warning it would allow the People’s Republic of China … Continue Reading
President-Elect Joe Biden is expected to prioritize rebuilding transatlantic relations, after several years of elevated tensions on a number of trade priorities. US and European officials have traded barbs on a number of fronts – from World Trade Organization (WTO) reform to the long-standing large civil aircraft dispute, and from Section 232 national security tariffs … Continue Reading
For the past four years, the Trump Administration has pursued a relentless strategy against the People’s Republic of China (“China”) that can be best described as “chaotic pressure.” The Biden Administration will likely keep up the pressure, but apply it more predictably.… Continue Reading
The United Kingdom (UK) unveiled its new human rights sanctions regime this past week, along with its first designations. The United States (US) welcomed the action, and some US lawmakers continue to urge the European Union (EU) to adopt a similar regime. Meanwhile, the EU moved forward with its trade policy review, with some seeking … Continue Reading
America and European countries remain focused on securing a COVID-19 vaccine to prevent resurgences of the virus, with the European Commission unveiling a strategy this week to accelerate its coordinated efforts. At a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Defense Ministerial this week, partners focused on COVID-19 and other topics, including the US’ announcement to lower … Continue Reading
The United States has been experiencing large-scale protests in urban centers in response to the death of George Floyd, a black American citizen, in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 25 May. This is not the first time the country has seen protests related to racism against black Americans, but it comes amid a global … Continue Reading
The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) is requesting comments for newly initiated Section 301 investigations on digital services tax (DST) adopted or under consideration by Austria, Brazil, the Czech Republic, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Comments are due by July 15. On June 2, USTR announced … Continue Reading
Turmoil on America’s streets has become the primary focus of attention for the White House in recent days, marking a pivot away from the around-the-clock pandemic response posture that characterized the Trump Administration’s activity this spring. President Donald Trump and his top advisors are reportedly set to meet in the coming days to begin the … Continue Reading
