WCIT Blog
Tariffs will Harm the Northwest’s Economy
This week, President-elect Trump once-again promised to impose significant tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China on the day he takes office. While tariffs are often cited as solutions to problems, such as job losses, history has a long track record of...
2024 WCIT Trade Summit Recap
WCIT hosted its annual Trade Summit on May 29, 2024, in Seattle, bringing together a diverse group of experts to tackle critical issues in international trade and help to answer how the Northwest can continue to grow its trade economy and the jobs it supports.
Announcing WCIT’s Expanded Trade Dashboard
WCIT’s expanded Northwest International Trade Dashboard, which provides quarterly reporting on key trade indicators for Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. This reflects our region’s deep integration and collective strength in the global trade arena.
The U.S. Must Resume Digital Trade Negotiations
WCIT expresses deep concern over the recent decision by the U.S. to withdraw from digital trade negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO). This move, which U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said aims to provide Congress with room to regulate big tech firms, has significant implications for the economy, both in the Northwest and throughout the United States.
WCIT Calls on USTR to Oppose Canada’s Proposed Digital Services Tax
With the Canadian government’s push to unilaterally implement a digital services tax (DST) that discriminates against American companies because of their leadership in innovating and delivering digital services, WCIT urges the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to work to ensure a fair and level playing field for technology companies operating in the U.S. and Canada.
The WTO Should Not Expand TRIPS Waivers
We stand at a critical juncture in international trade and intellectual property rights as the WTO considers expanding TRIPS waivers to COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics. This would expand the waiver already in place for COVID-19 vaccines – repeating their initial mistake.
2023 WCIT Fly-In Recap
Every year, Washington Council on International Trade (WCIT) members and staff travel to Washington, D.C., to meet in person with members of Congress, the Administration, and trade policy experts. Our goals are to: Deliver a message of the importance of international...
An Overview of the 2023 WCIT Trade Summit
WCIT members and others gathered in Seattle for the 2023 WCIT Trade Summit. We summarize what was discussed and next steps in this article.
A Glimpse into the Future of International Trade: WCIT Members Tour the Port of Seattle
WCIT members tour the Port of Seattle to learn more about how it helps drive international trade in the Northwest and to see some of its recent enhancements.