Former Trade Negotiators Discuss This Week’s Tariff and Trade Developments
WITA's Friday Exchange
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Podcast Overview
Former Trade Negotiators Discuss This Week’s Tariff and Trade Developments
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Publishing Since
7/11/2025
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Recent Episodes
July 2, 2026
Ep. 50 - You Can Check Out Anytime, But Can You Ever Leave? USMCA Review and U.S.-EU Trade Talks
<p>In this week's episode, our trade insiders examine the ongoing USMCA review process, including proposed tariff actions on Canada and Mexico and the debate over how trade deficits should be interpreted in the context of integrated North American supply chains. The panel discusses the possibility of a U.S. withdrawal threat as a negotiating tool, the role of Chinese investment in Canada and Mexico, and what a near-term agreement with Mexico on agriculture might look like ahead of the midterms. The conversation then turns to Europe, tracing how a Section 301 investigation into German pharmaceutical pricing intersects with domestic policy debates in Germany, as well as broader questions about EU industrial policy, technology sovereignty, and the bloc's evolving approach to China.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Featured Speakers: </strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Association</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Wendy Cutler</strong>, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Daniel Mullaney</strong>, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Kellie Meiman Hock</strong>, Senior Counselor, McLarty Associates; Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University; Board Member, Inter-American Dialogue; former Director of Brazil and the Southern Cone, Office of the United States Trade Representative</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Moderator:</strong> Joe Damond, Non-resident Senior Associate, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Southeast Asia program; former Deputy Assistant USTR for Asia<br></p>
June 26, 2026
Ep. 49 - Leverage vs. Certainty: The “Steel”ing of America, USMCA, 301s, and Article I Powers
<p>In this week's episode, our trade insiders dig into the USMCA review process. With the upcoming trilateral meeting on July 1, anything and everything is up for debate. Our former negotiators unpack the divergence over rules of origin, the rising cost of steel and aluminum, and the slow march toward a North American trade fortress. The insiders also cover the summer of the 301s, USTR’s half-deals with various countries, and the China question hanging over the auto industry. They also discussed whether Congress will play a larger role in strategy and the business community's view on the administration's trade policy decisions.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Featured Speakers:</strong></p><p><br></p><p> <strong>Introduction: Kenneth Levinson</strong>, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Association</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Kate Kalutkiewicz</strong>, Senior Managing Director, McLarty Associates; former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Trade, National Economic Council, in the first Trump Administration</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Chris Padilla</strong>, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Stephen Vaughn</strong>, Partner, International Trade, King & Spalding LLP; former General Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative under first Trump Administration</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Moderator: Arun Venkataraman</strong>, 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</p>
June 19, 2026
Ep. 48 - The Strait Ahead to a Fragile Truce: Iran, China, Europe and the Coming 301s
<p>On this week’s episode of WITA’s Friday Exchange, our trade insiders discussed the Trump administration’s new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Iran and its implications for global trade, energy markets, and supply chains. They also examined the future of the Strait of Hormuz, including how provisions that could give Iran a larger role in the waterway’s management may affect maritime governance, regional security dynamics, and discussions surrounding the 24 global maritime chokepoints.</p><p><br></p><p>They also explored the fragile U.S.-China trade truce, growing European concerns over Chinese over-capacity and subsidies, and the prospects for greater transatlantic coordination on China-related trade challenges. Finally, the group debated whether the administration’s expected Section 301 tariffs on forced labor and excess capacity are targeted efforts to address Chinese economic practices or a strategy to expand tariffs on trading partners around the world.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Featured Speakers:</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Introduction: Kenneth Levinson</strong>, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Association</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Wendy Cutler</strong>, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Ed Gresser</strong>, Vice President & Director for Trade & Global Markets, Progressive Policy Institute; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Trade Policy and Economics - author of the Trade Fact of the Week</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Dawn Shackleford</strong>, President at Looking Glass Trade, LLC; former Executive Director for Trade Agreements Policy & Negotiations, Department of Commerce; former Assistant USTR for WTO & Multilateral Affairs</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Moderator: Michael Smart</strong>, 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</p>
51 total episodes available
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