The United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaces the North American Free Trade Act, or NAFTA, is now awaiting President Trump’s signature. It is anticipated that President Trump will sign the new trade deal on Wednesday, January 29th. The new trade deal was passed by the US House of Representatives on December 9, 2019, and the US Senate on Jan. 16, 2020.
Wednesday, January 15th, 2020 marked Phase One of a multi-part trade agreement between China and the U.S. This deal requires Beijing to spend $200 billion more on U.S. goods within the next two years. This would bring the total expected exports from the U.S. to China up to $260 billion in 2020, and about $310 billion in 2021. In exchange, the U.S. will reduce tariffs on $120 billion in Chinese products from 15% to 7.5%.
Specific industries that have been identified as targets for these purchases are agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and services. Conversely, the tariffs on $160 billion worth of Chinese goods such as electronics, clothing, automobiles, and toys that were anticipated to go into effect December 15th, 2019 have been indefinitely suspended.
The agreement also includes stronger Chinese legal protections for patents, trademarks, and copyrights including improved criminal and civil procedures to combat online infringement, and pirated and counterfeit goods. It will boost imports of financial services from the U.S. to address enduring complaints from the U.S. about investment barriers.
China has agreed to stop pressuring foreign companies to transfer technology to Chinese firms as a condition of market access, licensing, or administrative approvals, and to eliminate any government advantages for such transfers.
Washington officials have pledged to actively monitor the enforcement, and follow through with this agreement to ensure both parties hold up their side of the bargain.
USMCA and China Phase One Trade Deal: Updates
The United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaces the North American Free Trade Act, or NAFTA, is now awaiting President Trump’s signature. It is anticipated that President Trump will sign the new trade deal on Wednesday, January 29th. The new trade deal was passed by the US House of Representatives on December 9, 2019, and the US Senate on Jan. 16, 2020.
Wednesday, January 15th, 2020 marked Phase One of a multi-part trade agreement between China and the U.S. This deal requires Beijing to spend $200 billion more on U.S. goods within the next two years. This would bring the total expected exports from the U.S. to China up to $260 billion in 2020, and about $310 billion in 2021. In exchange, the U.S. will reduce tariffs on $120 billion in Chinese products from 15% to 7.5%.
Specific industries that have been identified as targets for these purchases are agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and services. Conversely, the tariffs on $160 billion worth of Chinese goods such as electronics, clothing, automobiles, and toys that were anticipated to go into effect December 15th, 2019 have been indefinitely suspended.
The agreement also includes stronger Chinese legal protections for patents, trademarks, and copyrights including improved criminal and civil procedures to combat online infringement, and pirated and counterfeit goods. It will boost imports of financial services from the U.S. to address enduring complaints from the U.S. about investment barriers.
China has agreed to stop pressuring foreign companies to transfer technology to Chinese firms as a condition of market access, licensing, or administrative approvals, and to eliminate any government advantages for such transfers.
Washington officials have pledged to actively monitor the enforcement, and follow through with this agreement to ensure both parties hold up their side of the bargain.
Marcia Kinter is the Vice President, Government & Regulatory Affairs at PRINTING United Alliance. Ms. Kinter oversees the development of resources for the Association addressing environmental, safety & health, and sustainability issues. She represents the printing industry, as well as their associated supplier base, before federal and state regulatory agencies on environmental, safety and other government issues directly impacting the printing industry.
In 2008, Kinter, in conjunction with colleagues from other printing trade associations, was instrumental in launching the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership program. The SGP Program is a registry system for printing facilities that includes third party verification. The program successfully launched as an independent organization in August 2008.
Kinter is a member of and serves as Secretary for the Academy of Screen Printing Technology. In 2001, Kinter received the William D. Schaeffer Environmental Award for significant advancement of environmental awareness in the graphic arts industry.
Before joining PRINTING United Alliance, Kinter worked for The American Waterways Operators, Inc., the national association for the barge and towing industry.
She holds bachelor’s degree in urban planning from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University.
Heather Nortz is the Sustainability Programs Coordinator for PRINTING United Alliance. Her primary responsibilities consist of running both the Sustainable Business Recognition and Safety Recognition Award Programs. She also contributes to industry specific research on matters of sustainability trends and environmental safety and health regulations. She regularly publishes articles and blog posts on these topics and consistently updates the PRINTING United Alliance website with advocacy related content. Nortz recently graduated from George Mason University with her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and a concentration in Human and Ecosystems Response to Climate Change.