WITA's Friday Exchange

In the latest episode of the Friday Exchange, our trade insiders bring the heat! This week’s episode goes beyond a recap, it’s a full-on debate about the future of U.S. trade policy. Is Washington playing a high-stakes game to rebuild supply chains and outmaneuver non-market economies, or is it simply overplaying its hand?We also explore the ripple effects: smaller companies feeling pressure, investors weighing uncertainty, and the challenge of navigating overlapping tariffs and evolving policies. At the same time, we look at pockets of progress from targeted negotiations and efforts to strengthen domestic capacity and supply chain resilience.In a trade environment defined by uncertainty, urgency, and high political stakes, one question looms large: Is this strategy worth the cost?Featured Speakers:Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade AssociationBlake Harden, Managing Director, Washington Council Ernst & Young; former Trade Counsel on the House Ways & Means Committee; and a former Senior Attorney in the Office of the Chief Counsel at US Customs and Border ProtectionDaniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle EastChris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International TradeStephen Vaughn, Partner, International Trade, King & Spalding LLP; former General Counsel at the Office of the United States Trade Representative in first Trump Administration, where he worked closely with the current USTR Jamieson Greer

On April 2nd, 2025 President Trump Announced his “Liberation Day” Tariffs and to paraphrase Hamilton (the musical, not the statesman) the world of trade turned upside-down. This webinar, WITA welcomed back the Trade Reporters to discuss this monumental year in trade.Featured Speakers:Shawn Donnan, Senior Writer, BloombergDavid Lynch, Global Economics Correspondent, The Washington PostAna Swanson, Trade and International Economics Correspondent, New York TimesKoen Verhelst, Trade Reporter, POLITICO EuropeModerator: Michael Smart, Managing Director, Rock Creek Global Advisors; former Director for International Trade and Investment, National Security Council, The White House

In the latest episode of the Friday Exchange, our trade insiders shine the spotlight on Europe, potential steel controversies, and the future of multilateralism. We break down the European Parliament’s not-so-enthusiastic move to advance the Turnberry Agreement with the U.S., while building in “sunrise” and “sunset” safeguards that allow the EU to walk away if Washington changes course. They also unpack what that means for steel and aluminum tariffs, why the details on derivative products could become a deal-breaker, and how rising prices, lost jobs, and political pressure are shaping the next moves. They also chat about U.S.–India trade, the WTO e-commerce moratorium, China, and taking the U.S. seriously on WTO reform.Featured Speakers:Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade AssociationDaniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle EastChris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International TradeDawn Shackleford, President at Looking Glass Trade, LLC; former Executive Director for Trade Agreements Policy & Negotiations, Department of Commerce; former Assistant USTR for WTO & Multilateral AffairsJoe Damond, Principal, DamondGlobal LLC; former Deputy Assistant USTR for Asia

In the latest episode of the Friday Exchange, our trade insiders break down the evolving uncertainty around U.S. tariff policy as Section 301 emerges as a key tool to sustain leverage and potentially fill the gap. The panel examines the durability of existing trade frameworks and agreements, along with growing tensions with partners in Europe and Asia, where ongoing and potential Section 301 investigations could complicate negotiations and ratification efforts. The discussion also turns to the broader geopolitical context shaping trade, including the postponed U.S. China Summit, the increasing use of economic leverage, China’s control of critical mineral supply chains, and global energy vulnerabilities affecting the U.S. and its allies. Panelists also look ahead to the USMCA review, and potential divergence in outcomes with Canada and Mexico.Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade RepresentativeEverett Eissenstat, Partner, Public Policy Practice Group, Squire Patton Boggs; former Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs and Deputy Director, National Economic Council in the first Trump Administration; and the former Assistant USTR for the Americas, among other rolesChris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International TradeMike Smart, Managing Director, Rock Creek Global Advisors; former Director for International Trade and Investment, National Security Council, The White House; former Trade Counsel, Democratic Staff, U.S. Senate Committee on Financehttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/19/2026-05409/notice-of-continuation-and-request-for-applications-for-the-industry-trade-advisory-committees

In the latest episode of the Friday Exchange, our trade insiders break down the shifting landscape of U.S. tariff policy and the new Section 301 investigations announced by the Trump Administration. The panel explores whether the administration’s flurry of new Section 301 investigations targeting excess capacity across 16 countries and expanding forced labor concerns represents a strategic “wink wink, nudge nudge” plan B to rebuild the tariff framework and reopen negotiations with trading partners. The conversation also looks at cautious reactions from Asia and Europe, the delicate balance of stabilizing tariffs with China while scrutinizing other partners for unfair trade practices, and how these investigations could serve double as opportunities to refine tariff levels, and shape the next phase of U.S. trade policy ahead of the upcoming U.S.–China summit.Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade RepresentativePeter Harrell, Visiting Scholar, Georgetown Institute for International Economic Law; former Senior Director, International Economics, at the White House under President BidenDaniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle EastMark Linscott, former Assistant USTR for South and Central Asia and before that WTO and Multilateral Affairs and currently a Senior Advisor at the Asia Group and the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum

In the latest episode of the Friday Exchange podcast and video, our trade insiders discuss the uncertainty surrounding tariff policy following the IEEPA ruling, the expiration of Section 122 tariffs this summer, and how Section 301 might take its place. They also examine the durability of current Framework and Agreements on Reciprocal Trade, the potential shift toward more tailored tariff solutions, whether a restoration of the previous tariff regime is possible in a post-IEEPA-tariff world, and what to expect when we're expecting a China summit.Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership AssociationWendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, who’s just back from AsiaEd Gresser, Vice President & Director for Trade & Global Markets, Progressive Policy Institute; author of the Trade Fact of the Week; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Trade Policy and EconomicsDaniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle EastMike Smart, Managing Director, Rock Creek Global Advisors; former Director for International Trade and Investment, National Security Council, The White House; former Trade Counsel, Democratic Staff, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance

In the latest episode of the Friday Exchange, our trade-insiders spoke about the fallout from the Supreme Court's ruling that the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) does not allow the President to impose tariffs; whether there’s a “large and serious” balance of payments deficit problem in the U.S. that justifies new tariffs under Section 122 (versus a current account/trade deficit); whether U.S. Companies—large or small - will ever see refunds of tariffs paid under IEEPA; will Section 301 enable the President to unholster his magic tariff sharpie again; how are other countries reacting; and will all of this end up back in court?Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy & Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant USTR for AsiaBlake Harden, Managing Director, Washington Council Ernst & Young; she previously worked as Vice President, International Trade, Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA); and served as a Trade Counsel on the House Ways & Means Committee, and in the office of the chief counsel at US Customs and Border protection Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on TradeMark Linscott, former Assistant USTR for South and Central Asia and before that WTO and Multilateral Affairs and currently a Senior Advisor at the Asia Group and the US-India Strategic Partnership ForumChris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade

Please join WITA for an Emergency Webinar to discuss the ruling by the United States Supreme Court that “IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs.”  Our trade-insiders will break down the ruling and the implications for U.S. trade policy. Featured Speakers:Kathleen Claussen, Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center; former Associate General Counsel, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeWendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeJoe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy & Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant USTR for AsiaPeter Harrell, Visiting Scholar, Georgetown Institute for International Economic Law; former Senior Director, International Economics, at the White House under President BidenKate Kalutkiewicz, Senior Managing Director, McLarty Associates; former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Trade, National Economic Council, in the first Trump AdministrationChris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Department of Commerce, under President George W. BushModerator: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership Association

In the latest episode of the Friday Exchange, our former trade negotiators examine the use of tariffs as leverage in trade negotiations, and the significance of deals with Indonesia, Taiwan, Guatemala, El Salvador, and North Macedonia - neglected no more! They also discussed how Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) still helps shape trade policy; the role of WTO disciplines in structuring agreements; and how should we think about trade deficit levels in evaluating success?Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership AssociationWendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade RepresentativeEverett Eisenstat, Partner, Public Policy Practice Group, Squire Patton Boggs; former Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs and Deputy Director, National Economic Council in the first Trump Administration; and the former Assistant USTR for the Americas, among other rolesDaniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle EastChris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade

In the latest episode of the Friday Exchange, our former trade negotiators unpack the emerging U.S.-Bangladesh trade agreement. Did Bangladesh secure more favorable terms than India’s interim deal with the U.S.? What are the implications for other deals in Southeast Asia, Latin America and elsewhere?They also examine the administration’s broader trade strategy. Particularly, what it hopes to achieve with China, and whether the U.S.-China trade truce could last well into the future. Will new aircraft and energy purchases, critical minerals commitments, or new inbound Chinese investment shape the next phase of bilateral trade? And they discuss if it means anything that Congress started to reassert its Constitutional prerogatives.Featured Speakers:Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership AssociationWendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade RepresentativeMark Linscott, Senior Advisor at the Asia Group and the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum; former Assistant USTR for South and Central Asia and before that WTO and Multilateral AffairsChris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International TradeModerator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy & Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant USTR for Asia

In the latest episode of the Friday Exchange, our former trade negotiators unpack the trade deal everyone has been waiting for - a U.S.-India bilateral trade deal, announced by President Trump on social media, following right on the heels of the EU's trade deal with India.  How does this trade agreement stack up with the framework agreements on reciprocal trade reached with other countries; what does the US-India deal mean for Russian and Iranian oil imports; how does the agreement deal with the thorny issues of Indian technical barriers to trade and standards; what about the WTO e-commerce moratorium?Daniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle EastDawn Shackleford, President at Looking Glass Trade, LLC; former Executive Director for Trade Agreements Policy & Negotiations, Department of Commerce; former Assistant USTR for WTO & Multilateral AffairsArun Venkataraman, Partner, Covington & Burling; former Assistant Secretary of Commerce & Director General of the US & Foreign Commercial Service; and former Director for India and associate general council at USTR

In the latest episode of the Friday Exchange, former negotiators talk about the great diversification and global tariff de-escalation, the "new" India - EU trade agreement and potential for a U.S.-India trade deal, the U.S. turning up the screws on its trading partners, the UK and Canadian "business" deals with China, renewed U.S. tensions with Korea and Canada, weaponized bilateral trade deals, and more.Featured Speakers:Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership AssociationWendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade RepresentativeMark Linscott, Senior Advisor at the Asia Group and the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum; former Assistant USTR for South and Central Asia and before that WTO and Multilateral AffairsDaniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle EastChris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International TradeJoe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy & Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant USTR for Asia

In the latest episode of the Friday Exchange, former negotiators talk us off the ledge as the US and its European allies reach an agreement in Davos to turn down the temperature in the battle of the North Atlantic. They also talk about the use of tariffs and trade as economic statecraft, the implications of trade deals between the US and Taiwan, Canada and China, and glimpse a possible path forward on WTO reform.Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership AssociationKate Kalutkiewicz, Senior Managing Director, McLarty Associates; former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Trade, National Economic Council; former Director for European Affairs, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeDaniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle EastSara Schuman, Managing Director and International Trade Practice Lead, Beacon Global Strategies; former Senior Trade Representative & Minister Counselor for Trade Affairs, U.S. Embassy Beijing, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeMark Linscott, Senior Advisor, The Asia Group; Senior Advisor, U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for WTO and Multilateral Affairs, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

In the latest episode of the Friday Exchange podcast, former trade negotiators look at the new trade deal between Taiwan and the United States, potential tariffs on countries that do business with Iran, and U.S. threats of a Greenland takeover. Our experts also discuss critical minerals, chips, USMCA, Venezuela, China and more.Featured Speakers:Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership AssociationKellie Meiman, Senior Counselor, McLarty Associates; former Director of Brazil and the Southern Cone at the Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeDaniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeChris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Department of CommerceModerator: Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

In the first episode of the New Year, former trade negotiators look at the nexus of national security, geopolitics and trade. They discuss the President's National Security Strategy; Venezuela and the "Donroe Doctrine"; gun boat diplomacy and tariffs; and investment considerations for big oil. Our experts also discuss USMCA, WTO Reform, what we might see if IEEPA gets overturned (did someone mention Section 338?), and who has the leverage in trade with China.Featured Speakers: Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership AssociationWendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeMark Linscott, Senior Advisor, The Asia Group; Senior Advisor, U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for WTO and Multilateral Affairs, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeDaniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeChris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Department of CommerceModerator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

On December 4, 2025 WITA hosted the CoChairs of the Coalition for North American Trade for a fireside chat to discuss the review of the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA).  The three leaders discussed how the agreement makes all three countries more competitive in facing global challenges.Discussion features:Kevin Brady, Senior Consultant at Akin; former Chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee. During his time as Chairman, he played a crucial role in passage of the USMCA in 2019.Kenneth Smith Ramos, Partner at Agon in Mexico City, Mexico’s former Chief Negotiator for the modernization of NAFTA; former Head of the Trade and the NAFTA Office at the Mexican Ministry of the Economy in Washington, DC.Steve Verheul, Principal at GT & Co, Toronto, Canada’s former Chief Trade Negotiator for the USMCA; former Assistant Deputy Minister of the Trade Policy and Negotiations Branch at Global Affairs Canada; and former Chief Trade Negotiator between Canada & the European Union in the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.Moderator, Nasim Fussel, Vice President of Trade & International at the Business Roundtable; former Chief International Trade Counsel for the Senate Finance Committee; former Trade Counsel for the Ways and Means Committee; Chair of WITA’s Board of Directors.

On this week's episode of WITA’s Friday Exchange, trade experts dove into US digital spats with the UK, EU, and Korea, the recently released National Security Strategy and its “transactional isolationism,” and the recent US submission on WTO reform.Mark Linscott, Senior Advisor, The Asia Group; Senior Advisor, U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for WTO and Multilateral Affairs, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativePenny Naas, Senior Vice President, Innovation and Competitiveness, German Marshall Fund of the United StatesChris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Department of CommerceModerator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

This week on WITA’s Friday Exchange, former trade negotiators share their thoughts on the recent release of the National Security Strategy and its effect on evolving US economic security policy. Our trade experts also analyzed ongoing trade negotiations with India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, and news on trade and tech in China, and the recent hearings on the USMCA agreement.Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership Association Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeMark Linscott, Senior Advisor, The Asia Group; Senior Advisor, U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for WTO and Multilateral Affairs, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeDaniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeModerator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

This week on WITA’s Friday Exchange, former trade negotiators discussed the recent US-UK pharmaceuticals deal, shifting US-China trade dynamics in Southeast Asia, as well as a review of tariff policy this year and what’s to come next year. Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO,  WITA – The International Trade Membership Association Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeMark Linscott, Senior Advisor, The Asia Group; Senior Advisor, U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for WTO and Multilateral Affairs, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeDaniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeModerator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

On this week’s edition of WITA’s Friday Exchange, trade experts covered the recent U.S. trade deal with Switzerland, the possibility of an EU-CPTPP partnership, and new tariff exemptions, all in the context of mounting public pressure on inflation and evolving views on a new global trade framework.Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeMark Linscott, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia/WTO and Multilateral, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeDaniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeModerator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative