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
Since 1962, Squire Patton Boggs has represented the interests of over 100 sovereign governments and sovereign-owned entities. Success in this unique practice originates from our combination of deeply substantive international legal counsel, sharpened by the powerful political considerations offered by former diplomats and other officials who understand the difficult balance governments must strike between aligning … Continue Reading
“We are going to win so much” is a staple soundbite from President Donald Trump, and also is representative of his administration’s mindset to international negotiations. President Trump favors bilateral trade deals and has been optimistically touting the US as the UK’s first FTA partner after Brexit. From the UK’s perspective, Prime Minister Boris Johnson … Continue Reading
The US House of Representatives returns to Washington this week, but negotiations aimed at forging a bipartisan consensus on the next federal COVID-19 response package are still weeks away. The Memorial Day holiday weekend brought a surge of activity by Americans who have been in lockdown for months and are yearning for a return to … Continue Reading
The 73rd World Health Assembly (Assembly) convened virtually on 18-19 May; the US remains critical of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) response to the spread of COVID-19 and its relationship with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Assembly is the key decision-making body of the WHO that is attended by representatives of the United … Continue Reading
On 4 May, the EU hosted a virtual international summit to secure approximately US$8.2 billion in pledged funding for research into vaccines and treatments for COVID-19. While the US government did not participate in the summit (nor did Russia or India), it continues to prioritize securing a vaccine this year. Meanwhile, the national trend in … Continue Reading
Google and Apple are collaborating on contact-tracing technology that allows for better communication between the two operating platforms to help alert individuals that may have crossed paths with a confirmed COVID-19 case. The two companies noted in a joint statement issued earlier this month, “[W]e hope to harness the power of technology to help countries … Continue Reading
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the global economy, as social distancing and shelter in place orders in various countries have affected employees, factories and global supply chains. After several weeks of restrictions, governments around the world are outlining plans to return to a “new normal,” post-COVID. US President Donald Trump released federal guidelines last … Continue Reading
As the curve of COVID-19 cases flattens in parts of the US and Europe, government officials are exploring ways to restart their economies. Looking further ahead, doing so will likely include resuming the stalled transatlantic talks aimed at securing new trade agreements. In the aftermath of the 2008-2009 financial crisis, governments kept the global economy … Continue Reading
The first round of 5-day negotiations to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) concluded on August 20. In a joint statement released by trade officials from the United States, Mexico and Canada, they restated the commitment to updating the deal, continuing domestic consultations, and working on draft text. They also committed to a … Continue Reading
Senate Legislative Activity The Senate will convene on Monday, June 12 at 4:00 pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:00 pm. At 5:00 pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Kenneth P. Rapuano, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary … Continue Reading
Senate Legislative Activity The Senate will next convene at 3:00 pm on Monday, June 5, 2017. On Monday, following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Calendar #107, S.Res.176, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, with the time until 5:30 pm equally divided in the usual form. At … Continue Reading
Senate Legislative Activity The Senate stands adjourned until 3:00 pm today, May 22. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of Executive Calendar #55, the nomination of Terry Branstad, of Iowa, to be Ambassador to China, with the time until 5:30 pm equally divided. At 5:30 pm, the Senate will vote on confirmation … Continue Reading
Senate Legislative Activity The Senate will convene today, May 15, at 3:00 pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Jeffrey Rosen, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation, with the time until 5:30 pm equally divided. At 5:30 pm, the pending cloture motions will ripen and the … Continue Reading
Senate Legislative Activity The Senate will convene today, May 8 at 2:00 pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Heather Wilson to be Secretary of the Air Force, with up to 4 hours of debate equally divided. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will … Continue Reading
Senate Legislative Activity The Senate stands adjourned until today at 3:00pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Jay Clayton, of New York, to be Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission. At 5:30pm, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Clayton nomination. House … Continue Reading
Senate Legislative Activity The Senate will convene at 3:00pm today, April 24. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session for consideration of Calendar #31, the nomination of Sonny Perdue to be Secretary of Agriculture. The time until 5:30pm will be equally divided. At 5:30pm, the Senate will vote on confirmation of … Continue Reading
Senate Legislative Activity The Senate stands adjourned until today, Monday, April 3 at 3:00 pm. Following Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Calendar #18, S.89, Delta Queen, with the time until 5:30 pm equally divided in the usual form. At 5:30 pm, the Senate will vote on passage of the bill. Upon … Continue Reading
Senate Legislative Activity The Senate stands adjourned until 3:00 pm today, March 27. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and resume consideration of the Montenegro treaty. The filing deadline for first degree amendments to the treaty is 3:30pm. At 5:30 pm, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke … Continue Reading
Senate Legislative Activity The Senate will convene at 10:30 am on Tuesday, March 21. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour, with Republicans controlling the first half and Democrats controlling the final half. After morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session for the … Continue Reading
Senate Legislative Activity The Senate will convene at 2:00 pm today, March 13. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Seema Verma, nominated to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, post-cloture; all time on the nomination will expire at 5:30pm and the Senate will vote … Continue Reading
Senate Legislative Activity The Senate stands adjourned until today, March 6 at 2:00 pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.J.Res.37, disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration relating to the Federal Acquisition Regulation, with the time until … Continue Reading
Senate Legislative Activity The Senate convenes today, February 27, at 12:00pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and resume consideration of the nomination of Wilbur Ross, to be Secretary of Commerce. At 3:00pm, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) will be recognized to deliver Washington’s Farewell Address. Following the reading of Washington’s … Continue Reading