International Trade Committee
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Overview
The International Trade & Customs Committees are made up of trade, customs, and compliance experts from the largest and most innovative retail companies. The Committees serve as a forum for executives from RILA’s member companies to network, benchmark and exchange ideas on the most pressing trade-related issues facing the retail industry. The landscape of trade is everchanging and fast-paced, but recent discussions have included the impact of tariffs on retailers, the negotiation and implementation of free trade agreements, the intersection of economic and national security issues, implementation of government programs including the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT), and the renewal of trade legislation including the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB).
In order to provide input, feedback, and leadership on key trade issues, the Committees work routinely with various U.S. government agencies carrying out U.S. trade policy, trade facilitation, and trade enforcement, including the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Treasury, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as well as with lawmakers and the committees of jurisdiction overseeing trade issues in Congress.
The Committees also inform RILA’s work on various coalitions that aim to create new opportunities for open markets and lower trade barriers while facilitating the efficient movement of goods and services across our borders and through America’s ports of entry.
The Committees have a monthly conference call on the first Tuesday of every month, however the Committees also hold ad hoc calls based on member interest and fast-developing issues. The Committees also partner with other RILA communities to hold cross-functional calls covering issues of shared interest. In the past, the Committees met in-person once per year in conjunction with the Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Trade Symposium.
In 2020, we converted the in-person meeting into a virtual speaker series. Featured guest speakers included Congressional trade staffers, an EU trade minister, and officials from U.S. government agencies such as CBP, the State Department and the Department of Labor to name a few.
For more information on the International Trade and Customs Committees, please reach out to Blake Harden, vice president of international trade.
Committee Materials
2020 Election Update from Akin Gump
Josh Teitelbaum and Casey Higgins from Akin Gump gave our members a rundown of how the 2020 election results could impact trade.
An Update on China from CSIS
Jude Blanchette and Scott Livingston with CSIS provided our members with an update on pressing issues related to China.
CBP Section 301 Processing and AD/CVD Enforcement Briefing
Director of the AD/CVD Policy and Programs Division at CBP, provided our membership with an update on AD/CVD and Section 301 processing
CPSC Office of Import Surveillance Presentation on CPSC 1USG
Presentation by John Blachere, International Trade Specialist, US CPSC
CTPAT Update with Director Manny Garza
RILA was joined by the director of CBP’s CTPAT Program Manny Garza to provide updates for membership.
EU Trade Perspective with Peter Young from the EU Delegation
Peter Young, Deputy Head of the Trade and Agriculture Section, provided our membership with an update on U.S./EU trade relations.
Forced Labor Enforcement Actions with Arnold & Porter
A team of experts from Arnold & Porter provided an update on forced labor enforcement actions for our membership.
Forced Labor Global Insights with CSIS, ILO, OECD
Experts from CSIS, ILO and the OECD led a conversation about forced labor prevention, identification, and remediation.
Retail Supply Chain Impacts of Coronavirus Webinar
Webinar on risk mitigation strategies for the current outbreak, and latest on-the-ground updates from China (Members-only. Please log-in to access).
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Support of Global Approach to Protect Citizens in Xinjiang
- By [Blake Harden]
- 03/22/2021
Retailers Outline Trade Priorities for USTR Tai
- By [Blake Harden]
- 03/22/2021

Recap: Senate Finance Hearing on Forced Labor
- By [Blake Harden]
- 03/19/2021
U.S. to Suspend EU Tariffs Related to Boeing-Airbus Dispute
- By [Blake Harden]
- 03/05/2021

Industry Leaders Urge Clear and Decisive Action on XUAR
- By [Blake Harden]
- 01/27/2021
Response to Ban on All Cotton Imports From XUAR
- By [Blake Harden]
- 01/13/2021

Over 200 Leaders Urge Against Vietnam Tariffs
- By [Blake Harden]
- 01/08/2021
RILA to USTR: Failed Tariff Strategy Shouldn't Be Duplicated
- By [Blake Harden]
- 12/28/2020

Letter to USTR on Vietnam Currency
- By [Blake Harden]
- 12/18/2020
Treasury Labels Vietnam a Currency Manipulator
- By [Blake Harden]
- 12/16/2020

Response to Enforcement Actions to Prohibit XPCC Cotton
- By [Blake Harden]
- 12/02/2020
Statement on House Passage of Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention
- By [Blake Harden]
- 09/23/2020