Did you have any New Year’s resolutions this year? Plans to improve your health, take up new hobbies, grow professionally? Here at WCIT, we’re not into self-improvement because…how can you improve on perfection! But what we are resolved to do this year better than ever is advocate for Washington’s international competitiveness.
That’s why WCIT is excited to announce our 2014 policy priorities – the list of top trade policy issues we will tackle in the year ahead to ensure that Washington state is the best place to engage in global business and that our employers can continue to grow the economy through international trade.
It’s already looking like 2014 will be a doozy for international trade policy. Both Congress and the State Legislature are likely to vote on many of our policy priorities in the coming year, including passing Trade Promotion Authority, reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank of the United States, reforming the Harbor Maintenance Tax, and increasing investments in freight mobility. In addition, the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations are likely to wrap up in the first part of 2014, and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations will intensify in the coming year. Yes, there really will be that much going on in 2014!
WCIT’s advocacy work in 2013 laid a strong foundation (see our 2013 Year in Review) for success on many of these issues in 2014, so without further ado, here is our list of 2014 policy priorities:
• Pass Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)
• Reauthorize the Export-Import Bank of the United States
• Reform the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT)
• Complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations
• Increase U.S. competitiveness in trade with China and India
• Negotiate a successful Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
• Increase state and federal investment in freight mobility
• Negotiate a Trade in Services Agreement (TISA)
• Reduce tariffs on footwear and performance outerwear
• Increase international tourism through travel visa reform
(You can click on each policy priority to learn more on our website and to download our policy factsheets).
Would you like to get more involved in advocating for any of these policy priorities? If so, please contact us – we’d love to have you on board.
Here’s to a successful 2014! Even if you give up on all of your other New Year’s resolutions by early February, you can feel good about yourself if you help increase the success of Washington employers in the global economy.