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Former Trade Negotiators Discuss This Week’s Tariff and Trade Developments

  1. 9h ago

    Ep. 53: Just in Time Delivery Tariffs: Replacing IEEPA Tariffs with Section 301, and Dusting Off Section 338

    n this week's episode, our trade insiders dissect the administration's newly imposed Section 301 tariffs on forced labor, hitting 60 trading partners. Our former negotiators debate the legal standing of the tariffs and the likelihood of whether or not they’ll hold up in court. They also unpack the novel use of Section 338 to threaten Canada ahead of the USMCA review, and the Pandora's box it might become. Finally, the insiders discuss looming excess capacity 301s, the EU's relief over Turnberry, and the case for a bipartisan review to modernize America's trade laws.Featured Speakers: Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade RepresentativeDaniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle EastChris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International TradeModerator: Joe Damond, Non-resident Senior Associate at Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in their Southeast Asia program; former Deputy Assistant USTR for Asia

  2. Jul 17

    Ep. 52: Return of the Tariff Hammer? Presidential Trade Power and the Graham Russia Sanctions Bill

    In this week's episode, our trade insiders dug into the “Graham Bill” - the bipartisan, bicameral Russia sanctions bill and its open-ended tariff authority. They debated its potential trade repercussions, whether tariffs or targeted export controls are the more effective tool, and whether placing tariffs on allies drives wedges rather than results. They also examined the administration's broader push to reconstruct a tariff regime reminiscent of the IEEPA era, Brazil's Section 301 case as a possible preview of what's ahead, stalled negotiations with India, Vietnam's own Section 301 investigation, and why trading partners may be slow-walking talks. The episode also returned to a broader question running through the discussion: will Congress take steps to reclaim its trade authority, or continue delegating authority to the Executive? Featured Speakers: Blake Harden, Managing Director, Washington Council Ernst & Young; previously served as Trade Counsel on the House Ways & Means Committee; and in the office of the Chief Counsel at U.S. Customs and Border Protection Mayur Patel, Partner, Hogan Lovells; former Chief International Trade Counsel, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance Neena Shenai, Partner, International Trade Investment and Market Access, WilmerHale; former Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Industry and Security at the US Department of Commerce; and former Trade Counsel, House Committee on Ways and Means Moderator: Mike Smart, 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

  3. Jul 10

    Ep. 51 - Coffins, Paint Rollers and other Threats to National Security: Time to Update US Trade Laws?

    In this week's episode, our trade insiders discussed the Spain tariff threat and its quick reversal, and what that sequence of events suggests about navigating President Trump’s tariff threats in a post-IEEPA world. The panel also examined how "national security" is being applied as a basis for tariff action across a wide range of products and countries, and discussed the ongoing question about the Congressional role role in setting trade law given the Cold-War era measures like Section 301, 122, and 232 are being used for 21st Century economic and national security purposes.Our trade experts then turned to the Section 301 investigation on forced labor, including a firsthand account of this week's USTR hearings, the standards at issue, and the potential for future litigation. The insiders also covered a joint statement from industry groups representing the apparel and textile sectors, recent developments in the excess capacity case, and a new Section 232 finding on aircraft parts that may point to a broader pattern in how these investigations are being resolved. Featured Speakers: Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Ed Gresser, 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 Daniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East Moderator: Joe Damond, Non-resident Senior Associate, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Southeast Asia program; former Deputy Assistant USTR for Asia

  4. Jul 2

    Ep. 50 - You Can Check Out Anytime, But Can You Ever Leave? USMCA Review and U.S.-EU Trade Talks

    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. Featured Speakers: Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Association Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Daniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East Kellie Meiman Hock, 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 Moderator: Joe Damond, Non-resident Senior Associate, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Southeast Asia program; former Deputy Assistant USTR for Asia

  5. Jun 26

    Ep. 49 - Leverage vs. Certainty: The “Steel”ing of America, USMCA, 301s, and Article I Powers

    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. Featured Speakers: Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Association Kate Kalutkiewicz, 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 Chris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Stephen Vaughn, Partner, International Trade, King & Spalding LLP; former General Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative under first Trump Administration Moderator: Arun Venkataraman, 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

  6. Jun 19

    Ep. 48 - The Strait Ahead to a Fragile Truce: Iran, China, Europe and the Coming 301s

    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. 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. Featured Speakers: Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Association Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Ed Gresser, 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 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: Michael Smart, 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

  7. Jun 12

    Ep. 47 – The Three B's: Trade Defense, Overcapacity, and Global Tensions

    This week’s episode is a “travel log” edition as our panel returns fresh off trips to Beijing, Brussels, and Berlin. The discussion explores rising concerns over China’s industrial overcapacity, the expanding use of trade defense tools like Section 301, and the legal and policy timelines shaping upcoming U.S. tariff actions.In Europe, policymakers are balancing stability under recent trade arrangements with growing pressure to adopt stronger responses to China, while also managing tensions in their relationship with the United States. In China, officials continue to emphasize “comprehensive strategic stabilization” following recent diplomatic engagement, even as trade imbalances and export growth remain central concerns.The panel also examines emerging alignment between the U.S. and Europe on trade enforcement tools, alongside political and rhetorical friction that complicates cooperation. Finally, they discuss uncertainty around USMCA and the likelihood of renewed negotiation pressure rather than formal withdrawal. Featured Speakers: Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Association Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Daniel Mullaney, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East Stephen Vaughn, Partner, International Trade, King & Spalding LLP; former General Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative under first Trump Administration Kellie Meiman Hock, 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

  8. Jun 5

    Ep. 46: Tariff  & Trade Deja Vu: The New Tariff Regime that’s Coming Seems A Lot Like the Old One

    On this week's episode of WITA's Friday Exchange, our trade insiders debate the the administration's Section 301 announcements on forced labor and the coming announcements on over capacity; and whether the Section 301 investigations and expected tariffs are a legitimate and durable trade policy tool or simply a pretext to recreate the IEEPA tariffs and extract leverage from trading partners. They also discussed  the future of USMCA, and negotiations with Canada and Mexico to extend the agreement. And lurking behind everything: China. Featured Speakers: Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA - The International Trade Association Ed Gresser, 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 Chris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Kelly Ann Shaw, Partner, Akin; former Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs & Deputy Director, National Economic Council Moderator: Mike Smart, 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

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Former Trade Negotiators Discuss This Week’s Tariff and Trade Developments

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  • Creator
    WITA DC
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © WITA DC
  • Show Website
    WITA's Friday Exchange

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