BritishAmerican Business | October Policy Update

Policy Snapshot October 2017

October 2017 was yet another busy month for all who work in or with the transatlantic business community. The UK is running short of time to persuade the EU the future

UK-EU trade relationship should be part of the ongoing negotiations, especially since crucial settlement issues have yet to be resolved. In the US, while business would like to see quick progress on the Administration's efforts on tax reform, time continues to be lost to further political escapades. In both countries, governing parties seem to be more divided than ever, making it even harder to predict what may come next.

It is a crucial time for business to play a leadership role and provide guidance to government (look out for the policy feature in BAB London's upcoming NETWORK Magazine). BritishAmerican Business sees this as a part of its mission.

This month BAB has continued to be vocal on the topics of a future UK-US trade agreement and Brexit. We have joined forces with relevant partners to make a joint statement on the importance of a transition period in the Brexit negotiations, held meetings with the City of London Corporation and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association and hosted former US Trade Representative Ambassador Miriam Sapiro as well as a delegation of US Congressional staffers. October has been a very busy month and we encourage all members to contact us to speak about opportunities to work together.

If you would like to work with us on transatlantic policy, email the BAB Policy Team or tweet us @BABPolicy

BAB Policy Team

Highlights

Joint Statement on Brexit Transition Period

BAB joined AmCham EU, Trans-Atlantic Business Council, UK Transport in Europe (UKTiE) and the British Chamber of Commerce in releasing a joint statement on the need for a transitional arrangement after March 2019.

A transitional period has been a key priority for BAB from the start of the Brexit negotiations and we will continue to advocate for it to allow businesses to mitigate the disruption Brexit will cause to operations.

Events, Meetings & Initiatives

BAB Policy Group Meeting with Migration Advisory Committee

BAB Policy Group convened a meeting for Policy Group members with the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to discuss the MAC's current public consultation on EEA workers in the UK labour market. The UK Government has tasked the MAC with undertaking a consultation on the benefits of immigration to the UK, especially EEA migrants, and how a future immigration system can help achieve the Governments Industrial Strategy.

Members heard from Stephen Earl, Head of Policy MAC and put their perspective on how a change in the UK’s immigration system will affect their business. BAB will make a submission on the issue on behalf of our membership.

BAB Joined AmCham's in Europe Best Practice Conference in Dublin

BAB Director of Policy & Trade, Emanuel Adam, and BAB Communications Manager, Tim Horan joined Colleagues from 33 American Chambers of Commerce in Europe for the 2017 AmCham's in Europe Best Practice conference in Dublin, hosted by AmCham Dublin. We were delighted to be shortlisted in the Creative Network Award competition with our Across The Pond publication

BAB Policy Group Meeting with SIFMA

The BAB Policy Group was pleased to host a meeting between colleagues and members from the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) based in Washington DC. Attendees discussed NAFTA, the impact on financial services due to Brexit and future transatlantic cooperation on financial services.

BAB will continue to work with SIFMA and other relevant partners on transatlantic financial services regulatory cooperation which the prospects of a UK-US Trade Agreement provides an opportunity for.

Policy Group Meeting with Ambassador Miriam Sapiro

The BAB Policy Group was delighted to welcome former Deputy United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Miriam Sapiro, as a guest speaker to this month's policy group meeting, kindly hosted by BAB Members Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

Attendees enjoyed Ambassador Sapiro's insights gained from working on trade with four Presidential administrations.

The discussion focused on changes in USTR policy under President Trump, how to engage effectively on trade policy and the realistic expectations of a UK-US Trade Agreement.

BAB re-emphasises its commitment to Heathrow Airport expansion

With the UK Government extending its consultation on the National Airport Strategy on building a new runway at Heathrow Airport, BAB has re-emphasised the need for action on the topic. Read our latest statement here.

BAB on Sky News

Emanuel Adam joined Ian King on Sky News to discuss the possible impact of the Bombardier - Boeing dispute and possible US President visit to the UK on ongoing UK-US trade talks.

Watch the full interview here

Congressional Delegation Visit BAB

BAB Policy Team and Policy Group Members were pleased to welcome a bi-partisan delegation of Congressional staffers to BAB to discuss the impact of Brexit on American business.

The delegation, organised by the UK Embassy in Washington D.C., visited BAB to discuss with Policy Group members the most pressing concerns they had about Brexit and what Congress needed to be focusing on in negotiations.

BAB Policy Group / BABA meeting with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Staffers

Leading members of the BAB Policy Group and the British-American Business Association (BABA) in Washington DC met with staffers from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to discuss Brexit and the future of the US-UK trade and investment relationship.

BAB joins EurActiv Business Panel on Brexit

Change it, stop it, shape it?

BAB Policy & Trade Director, Emanuel Adam joined colleagues from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Council of British Chambers of Commerce in Europe (COBCOE), the German industry association VDMA and IBEC for a fascinating talk on how to communicate about Brexit. Read the article published following the event here

BAB participation in City of London Corporation briefing

BAB Director of Policy and Trade, Emanuel Adam joined colleagues from business to brief Policy Chairwomen Catherine McGuiness ahead of her engagement trip to Washington DC and New York.

Opportunities for your business to be featured

Work is in the final stage for BAB's next 'Policy Agenda' publication. The Policy Agenda is the leading transatlantic policy document reaching thousands of leading policy makers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic, including those at the top of Government. Thanks to all our members who have already agreed to support this important product.

If your business or organisation has an insight you want to put before Government on cyber security, data, immigration & talent or FinTech we want to hear from you. Get in touch with BAB Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Theo Bachrach.

Thank you for reading this month's Policy Update. If you have any feedback or comments,

email BAB Policy