On December 4, 2025 WITA hosted the CoChairs of the Coalition for North American Trade for a fireside chat to discuss the review of the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA). The three leaders discussed how the agreement makes all three countries more competitive in facing global challenges.
Discussion features:
Kevin Brady, Senior Consultant at Akin; former Chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee. During his time as Chairman, he played a crucial role in passage of the USMCA in 2019.
Kenneth Smith Ramos, Partner at Agon in Mexico City, Mexico’s former Chief Negotiator for the modernization of NAFTA; former Head of the Trade and the NAFTA Office at the Mexican Ministry of the Economy in Washington, DC.
Steve Verheul, Principal at GT & Co, Toronto, Canada’s former Chief Trade Negotiator for the USMCA; former Assistant Deputy Minister of the Trade Policy and Negotiations Branch at Global Affairs Canada; and former Chief Trade Negotiator between Canada & the European Union in the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Moderator, Nasim Fussel, Vice President of Trade & International at the Business Roundtable; former Chief International Trade Counsel for the Senate Finance Committee; former Trade Counsel for the Ways and Means Committee; Chair of WITA’s Board of Directors.
On this week's episode of WITA’s Friday Exchange, trade experts dove into US digital spats with the UK, EU, and Korea, the recently released National Security Strategy and its “transactional isolationism,” and the recent US submission on WTO reform.Mark Linscott, Senior Advisor, The Asia Group; Senior Advisor, U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for WTO and Multilateral Affairs, Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativePenny Naas, Senior Vice President, Innovation and Competitiveness, German Marshall Fund of the United StatesChris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Department of CommerceModerator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
This week on WITA’s Friday Exchange, former trade negotiators share their thoughts on the recent release of the National Security Strategy and its effect on evolving US economic security policy. Our trade experts also analyzed ongoing trade negotiations with India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, and news on trade and tech in China, and the recent hearings on the USMCA agreement.
Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership Association
Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Mark Linscott, Senior Advisor, The Asia Group; Senior Advisor, U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for WTO and Multilateral Affairs, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Daniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Moderator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
This week on WITA’s Friday Exchange, former trade negotiators discussed the recent US-UK pharmaceuticals deal, shifting US-China trade dynamics in Southeast Asia, as well as a review of tariff policy this year and what’s to come next year.
Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership Association
Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Mark Linscott, Senior Advisor, The Asia Group; Senior Advisor, U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for WTO and Multilateral Affairs, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Daniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Moderator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
On this week’s edition of WITA’s Friday Exchange, trade experts covered the recent U.S. trade deal with Switzerland, the possibility of an EU-CPTPP partnership, and new tariff exemptions, all in the context of mounting public pressure on inflation and evolving views on a new global trade framework.
Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Mark Linscott, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia/WTO and Multilateral, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Daniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Moderator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
This week on WITA’s Friday Exchange, former trade negotiators helped make sense of recently released trade deals and frameworks with Latin America, Korea, and Vietnam; the potential for tariff relief on coffee and bananas; and assess the implications for international trade policy, trade deficits, investment, and inflation.
Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership Association
Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Mark Linscott, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia/WTO and Multilateral, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Chris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Department of Commerce
Moderator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
On this week’s episode of WITA’s Friday Exchange, trade law and legal experts dove into the cutting issues raised at this week’s IEEPA hearing. Are tariffs the appropriate tool to deal with an economic emergency? If not tariffs, what powers does IEEPA give the president? And what do butter knives and steak knives have to do with this case? Tune into this week’s episode to find out.
Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership Association
Kathleen Claussen, Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center; former Associate General Counsel, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Marty Lederman, Professor from Practice, Georgetown Law; former Deputy Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
Moderator: Michael Smart, Managing Director, Rock Creek Global Advisors; former Director for International Trade and Investment, National Security Council; former Trade Counsel, Democratic Staff, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance
This week on WITA’s Friday Exchange, trade experts unpack the trade impacts of the Trump–Xi meeting; break down what we know about trade talks with Japan and Korea; deals with Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, and other bilateral developments from Trump’s Asia tour.
Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership Association
Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Sara Schuman, Managing Director and International Trade Practice Lead, Beacon Global Strategies; former Senior Trade Representative & Minister Counselor for Trade Affairs, U.S. Embassy Beijing, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Dawn Shackleford, President, Looking Glass Trade LLC; former Executive Director for Trade Agreements Policy & Negotiations, Department of Commerce; former AUSTR for Southeast Asia, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Moderator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
This week on WITA’s Friday Exchange, trade experts discuss President Trump's pique over anti-tariff ads and President Reagan's legacy, the new U.S.–Australia agreement on critical minerals and the prospect for trade deals between the US and its Asian trading partners, including an expected meeting between President Trump and President Xi.
Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – the International Trade Membership Association
Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Daniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Dawn Shackleford, President at Looking Glass Trade, LLC; former Executive Director for Trade Agreements Policy & Negotiations, Department of Commerce; former Assistant USTR for WTO & Multilateral Affairs
Moderator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
On this week's WITA's Friday Exchange we dove into the tit-for-tat escalation in the trade tensions between the U.S and China that is dragging the whole world into the fight over foundational elements of the global economy. Our experts also discussed the potential for a Trump-Xi meeting, the APEC Summit, and the prospects for de-escalation.Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – the International Trade Membership Association
Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Chris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce
Moderator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
This week's episode of WITA's Friday Exchange was recorded during the 2025 WITA Virtual Intensive Trade Seminar. Speakers discussed the evolution of U.S. trade policy making in the 21st Century, dissected current trade policy developments, and analyzed the push and pull between three branches of government in the U.S: Congress, the Executive, and the Courts.
Featured Speakers:
Peter Harrell, Non-Resident Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace ; former Senior Director for International Economics and Competitiveness, National Security Council; Deputy Assistant Secretary, Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions, U.S. Department of State
Brian Pomper, Partner, Akin; former Chief International Trade Counsel, U.S. Senate Finance Committee
Stephen Vaughn, Partner, King & Spalding; former General Counsel, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Moderator: Nicole Bivens Collinson, Managing Principal, Operating Committee, International Trade & Government Relations Practice Leader, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
This week on WITA’s Friday Exchange, former trade negotiators turn their focus towards the world's most populous country, India, where trade frictions have defined the relationship for generations. Guests discuss the geopolitical complexities of trade with India, tariff and non-tariff barriers, and key issues such as agriculture and digital trade.
Featured Guests:
Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, Washington International Trade Association
Dawn Shackleford, President at Looking Glass Trade, LLC; former Executive Director for Trade Agreements Policy & Negotiations, Department of Commerce; former Assistant USTR for WTO & Multilateral Affairs
Mark Linscott, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia/WTO and Multilateral, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Sharon Bomer Lauritsen, Agricultural Trade Consultant, AgTrade Strategies; former Assistant USTR in Agricultural Affairs; former Executive Vice President of Food & Agriculture, Biotechnology Innovation Organization; former Deputy of Agricultural Affairs, USTR
Moderator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
This week on WITA's Friday Exchange, former trade negotiators discussed a spate of new tariffs announced this week; the challenges facing negotiations for those who have yet to come to terms with the White House; and where things stand for countries like India, Korea, Vietnam, Switzerland and more!
Featured Speakers:
Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Mark Linscott, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia/WTO and Multilateral, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Daniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Moderator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
See more at wita.org
For this week’s Friday Exchange, we’re pulling one from the archives that many of you may have missed. On February 11, 2025, Sean Spicer, the former Press Secretary and Communications Director for President Donald Trump and onetime Spokesman for USTR spoke to the WITA membership about navigating trade politics in 2025. Sean’s message to WITA then still resonates today.
Featured Speakers:
Sean Spicer, Host of the Sean Spicer Show (YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts); former Press Secretary and Communications Director for President Donald J. Trump; former Communications Director of the Republican National Committee; former Spokesman, Office of the United States Trade Representative
Moderator: Nicole Bivens Collinson, Managing Principal, Operating Committee, International Trade & Government Relations Practice Leader, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
On this week’s episode, former U.S. and global trade negotiators discuss the WTO and multilateralism, as U.S. trade policy shifts towards bilateral trade deals and countries seek to make the WTO fit for purpose in a changing trade landscape.
Featured Speakers:
Ignacio Garcia Bercero, Senior Fellow, Bruegel; Former Director for Strategy and Multilateral Affairs, European Commission; former Counselor, European Union Delegation to the United Nations; former Policy Officer, European Commission
Bruce Hirsh, Principal, Tailwind Global Strategies; and former Deputy Assistant USTR for WTO & Multilateral Affairs, among other positions he has held.
Maria Pagan, former Deputy United States Trade Representative and US Ambassador to the WTO; and Former Deputy General Counsel, Office U.S. Trade Representative, among other position's she has held.
Dawn Shackleford, President at Looking Glass Trade, LLC; former Executive Director for Trade Agreements Policy & Negotiations, Department of Commerce; former Assistant USTR for WTO & Multilateral Affairs
Moderator: Mark Linscott, Senior fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative WTO and Multilateral, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, among other positions he's held.
On this week's episode, former trade negotiators dove into the Trump Administration’s trade negotiations and announcements with Japan, the EU, Korea, Switzerland, and India, and discuss their broader impact on the global stage, including the Xi-Putin-Modi photo-op.
Featured Speakers:
Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, Washington International Trade Association
Dan Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Mark Linscott, Senior fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia/WTO and Multilateral, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Wendy Cutler, Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Moderator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
See more at: wita.org
This week, WITA welcomes The Trade Reporters to the Exchange Podcast.
Most weeks, we invite in former trade negotiators to update our viewers and listeners on U.S. and global trade policy. This week, we turned the camera around to ask our guests what is it like to report on trade in Trump 2? Our guests discussed what they are hearing as they talk to policy makers, business leaders, foreign leaders, trade officials and everyday people impacted by the President’s trade initiatives.
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Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, Washington International Trade Association
Shawn Donnan, Senior Writer for Economics, Bloomberg; former World Trade Editor, Financial Times
David Lynch, Global Economics Correspondent, Washington Post; former Washington Correspondent, Financial Times
Ana Swanson, Trade and International Economics Correspondent, The New York Times; former Staff Writer, Washington Post
Moderator: Wendy Cutler, Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office U.S. Trade Representative
Former Trade Negotiators Discuss This Week’s Tariff and Trade Developments within trade law and IEEPA.
No one understands the dynamics with key U.S. trading partners better than the people who led these kinds of difficult trade negotiations for the United States. Panelists will update our viewers on the trade policy announcements, what remains undone; and what are expected next steps in these trade negotiations.
Featured Speakers:
Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, Washington International Trade Association
Kathleen Claussen, Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center; former Associate General Counsel, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Peter Harrell, Non-Resident Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; former Senior Director for International Economics and Competitiveness, National Security Council
Marty Lederman, Professor from Practice, Georgetown Law; former Deputy Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
Moderator: Michael Smart, Managing Director, Rock Creek Global Advisors; former Director for International Trade and Investment, National Security Council; former Trade Counsel, Democratic Staff, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance
Former Trade Negotiators Discuss This Week’s Tariff and Trade Developments.
No one understands the dynamics with key U.S. trading partners better than the people who led these kinds of difficult trade negotiations for the United States. Panelists will update our viewers on the trade policy announcements, what remains undone; and what are expected next steps in these trade negotiations.
Featured Speakers:
Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, Washington International Trade Association
Wendy Cutler, Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Mark Linscott, Senior fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia/WTO and Multilateral, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Daniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Moderator: Joe Damond, Chair of International Trade Policy and Global Life Sciences, Crowell Global Advisors; former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Asia and Pacific, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
See more at www.wita.org
Former trade negotiators discuss this week’s tariff and trade developments with China.
No one understands the dynamics with key U.S. trading partners better than the people who led these kind of difficult trade negotiations for the United States. Panelists will update our viewers on the trade policy announcements, what remains undone; and what are expected next steps in these trade negotiations.
Featured Speakers:
Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, Washington International Trade Association
Jeff Moon, President, China Moon Strategies; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for China
Chris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce
Stephen Vaughn, Partner, King & Spalding; former General Counsel, Office U.S. Trade Representative
Moderator: Wendy Cutler, Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative