Global Supply Chain, Transportation, and Customs Issues

Background
Our nation's economy depends on complex and integrated global supply chains that consistently deliver vital goods and services in an increasingly efficient manner. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognizes the importance of ensuring the security and efficiency of these dynamic global supply chains. Policy makers must strive to find the right balance between enhanced border and port security with the smooth flow of legitimate trade and travel expected in our just-in-time global economy. In situations where regulation and legislation is necessary, government should refrain from the perception of protectionism, ensure no new non-tariff barriers are imposed and carefully balance the dual goals of security and trade facilitation.

U.S. Chamber Activities
The Chamber works to ensure that the administration and Congress effectively strike the right balance between homeland security and the openness and mobility that are critical to our economy. The Chamber is actively engaged with relevant legislation on Capitol Hill, and monitors rules, regulations, and strategic plans affecting commerce. By influencing policy decisions and legislation that govern the movement of goods across borders, the Chamber works to ensure that legitimate goods can travel efficiently around the globe.

Global Supply Chain Security Working Group

In early 2009, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched the Global Supply Chain Security Working Group, in an effort to coordinate a response to the growing security regulation and legislation that inhibits trade, costs billions to industry and provides no security benefit to either the company or our nation. Recent landmark legislation has created non-tariff barriers to trade, inhibiting the free movement of goods in and out of the United States. While we share the goal of securing our homeland, we recognize the need for a balance between security, mobility, trade and openness.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce views this working group as an opportunity to develop an aggressive policy and lobbying agenda for 2009 and beyond. We intend to be a one-stop-shop when it comes to global supply chain security issues. With our 100+ participating members we seek to coordinate a cooperative approach to lobbying, in an effort to produce strong results for the country and our member companies.

Influencing Policy Makers:
The SCSWG works with policy makers in DHS, DOC, DOT, The White House and the appropriate members on Capitol Hill to ensure the private sectors voice is heard during policy development. We are requested to speak, instruct and brief members of Congress and their staff on a weekly basis. Through the SCSWG we are able to leverage the strength of our members by speaking with a unified voice.

Events

Steps to a 21st Century U.S.-Mexico Border

In 2011, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a report outlining recommendations to make enhancements to trade and security mutually supportive along the U.S.-Mexico border. Steps to a 21st Century U.S.-Mexico Border makes a series of proposals addressing trade facilitation, supply-chain security, infrastructure, immigration, and travel issues that define the border and determine its efficiency

To report was released by Chamber CEO Tom Donohue who was joined by Tom Ridge, the chairman of the U.S. Chamber’s National Security Task Force and the former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Ann Beauchesne, vice president for the Chamber’s Office of National Security and Emergency Preparedness. The report details a series of steps we must take to create a modern and efficient 21st century U.S. – Mexico border:

• We must focus on security, but trade facilitation and security should be viewed as mutually conducive. No factor is more fundamental to future investment, economic growth and job creation than security and the rule of law. We must increase the investment in the Merida Initiative, a U.S.-sponsored $1.6 billion multi-year partnership with Mexico to address criminal organizations, and view the private sector as a partner in achieving the goals of the initiative.
• We must facilitate the flow of trade at the border. We must better employ technology to manage congestion; allow shippers to participate in trusted shipper programs; grow staffing at the port of entry and government agencies should commit to measure border wait times and track them with benchmarks and defined goals.
• We need to significantly invest in infrastructure. It’s essential we add capacity at ports and land crossings. We need to increase the number of lanes at border crossings and create more dedicated lanes for commercial traffic. Public investment can help supplement federal, state, and local dollars.
• We need to pursue immigration reform. Immigration reform could help substantially alleviate the strain on our border, while adding to the economic vitality of our country. History shows an increase in the number of legal immigrants and temporary guest workers means a decrease in illegal immigration.

For more information, please click HERE.

Finding the Balance:Shared Border of the Future

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with 47 business associations from both sides of the border, issued a joint report entitled  Finding the Balance: Shared Border of the Future.

'For the World's Largest Trading Partnership to
Expand during this Recession, Cooperation is Essential,' said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue

The report puts forward recommendations for both governments to act on within the next 18 months to improve our economies. These proposals include:

• steps to streamline border wait times;
• implementing trusted shipper programs to enhance supply chain security without imposing a one-size-fits-all regulatory burden on businesses;
• enacting the NEXUS program to expedite clearance for 1 million low-risk travelers;
• offer preclearance of goods and people beyond the currently defined "border" area;
• and provide funding for a single electronic filing system.

The border facilitates the largest bilateral trade partnership in the world, with $1.6 billion in two-way trade and 300,000 travelers crossing the border on a daily basis. Thirty-seven of the 50 U.S. states rely on Canada as their largest export market. More than 10 million jobs rely on this partnership, including 7.1 million jobs in the U.S. and 3 million jobs in Canada.

For more information please  click here.