January 2016 eNews
Message from WCIT President Eric Schinfeld
All you political wonks and trade policy nerds must be as excited as I am that we are finally in 2016, a year sure to be full of dramatic debates, nail-biting election suspense, and - if we do our job right - wins for Washington's trade-based economy.
  
WCIT has a full year ahead: from promoting congressional passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (Congress is likely to vote on the TPP in 2016) and encouraging conclusion of Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations, to increasing our port competitiveness and ensuring the Export-Import Bank is fully functioning, WCIT has our work cut out for us in 2016.
  
Only three weeks into the new year, WCIT has already taken our message on why the TPP would benefit Washington state to editorial boards and business groups in Everett, Yakima, Tacoma, Seattle and the Tri-Cities. If you would be interested in having a WCIT presentation on the TPP at your business or organization over the next few months, please let me know!
 
Read on for a full list of WCIT's 2016 policy priorities to learn more about all we'll be tackling in the year ahead. We hope you'll make 2016 the year you resolve to get more involved in advocating for policies that improve the way the world trades and grow Washington's international competitiveness!
WCIT Releases 2016 Policy Priorities
  
Each year, WCIT identifies key trade policy issues that impact Washington employers and can increase our state's international competitiveness. For 2016, WCIT will focus on the following:

Promote congressional approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership:  One-third of Washington's goods exports and much of our services exports go to TPP countries, while our retailers and manufacturers use global supply chains that source from the region. The TPP would level the playing field for our employers and workers, grow our exports, and lower costs for our manufacturers, retailers and consumers by reducing foreign barriers to our products and establishing consistent, high-standard rules.
 
Ensure a fully functioning Export-Import Bank of the United States:  The Ex-Im Bank was reauthorized by Congress in December 2015, but cannot fully function until Congress appoints new board members. Our businesses need reliable export financing to remain globally competitive, so the appointment of new board members is essential.
 
Increase Washington port competitiveness: As a gateway to and from the rest of the world, Washington must ensure that its ports remain competitive, reliable and efficient. By reforming policies like the Harbor Maintenance Tax, investing in port and freight infrastructure, and ensuring our ports remain open and operating, we can compete against ports in Canada and elsewhere.
 
Ensure maximum impact from local, state and federal freight mobility investments:  With passage of both federal surface transportation funding and a state transportation package in 2015, the future for Washington's freight mobility infrastructure looks brighter than ever. However, we must ensure these investments are made in the most effective way on projects that will achieve maximum impact for our state's residents.
 
Conclude a high-standard, comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP):  The EU accounted for 10% of Washington's goods exports in 2014, and five of the top ten destinations for our services exports. A successful TTIP could increase Washington's exports to the EU by 26% and create 17,000 jobs in Washington state.
 
Increase U.S. competitiveness in trade with China and India:  China and India are some of Washington's top trading partners, with $20.7 billion in goods exports to China and $2 billion of goods exports to India in 2014. Yet many barriers - such as disagreements over market access or intellectual property rights infringements - prevent these trade relationships from being as strong as they could be.
 
Conclude negotiations on the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) and make progress on new WTO trade liberalization initiatives:  Services exports from Washington state reached an estimated $26 billion in 2013. Agreements like the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) could boost our state's economy by lowering barriers to trade in services. Other WTO trade liberalization initiatives like the Environmental Goods Agreement and the Trade Facilitation Agreement will also open up new opportunities for Washington's global businesses.
 
Support efforts to open new markets and reduce tariffs to benefit Washington employers & consumers: Washington's trade economy is based on our ability to competitively export products while leveraging global supply chains to create affordable goods that are sold across the country and world. We need to open new markets to our goods and services by fighting protectionist barriers that artificially bar Washington exports, as well as pass new policies like the Affordable Footwear Act and the US OUTDOOR Act that would save consumers money and help our retail companies create high paying local jobs.
 
Ensure the ability of targeted professionals and tourists to live, work and visit in Washington state:  International tourism is our state's second largest services export, and many Washington employers rely on foreign employees for their workforce. Congress needs to pass immigration and travel visa reforms that balance important protections for our citizens with the needs of our economy. In addition, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport must make key investments in facilities that keep it competitive as a global transit hub.

Address tax policies that impact Washington's international competitiveness: Recent tax policy changes have increased limitations and regulatory burdens that make it more difficult for many Washington businesses, particularly small and medium-sized, to use banking services in countries where they do business. We need to ensure a balance between regulation and ease of business for international financial services. 
Engage in WCIT's TPP Advocacy Efforts!
  
As one of the first organizations in the country to come out in support of the TPP and the first business organization to host a conference entirely dedicated to the trade deal, WCIT has been leading the charge to educate elected officials and the public about the TPP's benefits.  But we won't be able to do it without our faithful members signing letters, sending emails, attending fly-ins, sharing their stories, and in general speaking up for good trade policy to our elected officials and media.
  
Here's how you can get involved:
WCIT has also developed several resources to help in our TPP advocacy efforts:
  
Curious what's in the TPP and how it will impact Washington state? This factsheet breaks the deal down by industry.
  
There are a lot of myths out there about the TPP. Learn what is myth and what is fact in this myth-busing factsheet.
  
This factsheet highlights Washington state's strong trade ties with TPP trading partners.
  
For more information, contact Ashley Dutta at ashleyd@wcit.org
WCIT in the News

WCIT Advocacy Letters
 

WCIT Co-Promoted Events
  The U.S.-EU Economic Relationship - The Future of TTIP
Join the World Affairs Council, the Washington Council on International Trade, and the British American Business Council (Pacific NW) for a discussion on TTIP and Washington state.  The event will feature Martin Donnelly, Permanent Secretary for the UK's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the UK Government's trade policy and commerce department.

Feb 3, 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
WCIT Offices
1301 5th Ave, Suite 1500
Seattle, WA

Keep Trade Moving - The Future of Freight Mobility in the Inland NW
Join WCIT and Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI) for a discussion on the importance of multi-modal freight policy provisions to the Inland Pacific Northwest. Eric Schinfeld, WCIT President, and Ashley Probart, Executive Director of the Washington State Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) will make presentations on the progress of national and state level multi-modal freight plans and what it will mean for Washington state's global competitiveness.
WCIT will unveil a special report on the economic impact of the 2014-2015 West Coast port slowdowns.
 
Feb 18, 7:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Spokane Valley Event Center
10514 E. Sprague Ave
Spokane, WA 99206
Register Here
WCIT Members
Emerald
 Members
The Boeing Company
Microsoft Corporation
Port of Seattle
Port of Tacoma

Platinum Members
BNSF
Capitol Strategies
HSBC
UPS
 
Gold Members
Darigold
Eli Lilly & Company
Keep Washington Competitive
Nyhus Communications
Northwest Horticultural Council
Perkins Coie LP
PhRMA / We Work for Health
Russell Investments
Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
Starbucks Coffee Company
Weyerhaeuser Company
 
Silver Members
Association of Washington Business
Alliance for NW Jobs & Exports
Anderson Hay & Grain
Calaway Trading, Inc.
Cascade Designs
Clark Nuber
Community Attributes, Inc.
Columbia Machine
Columbia Sportswear
Costco
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Eddie Bauer
Edelman
FedEx
Foster Pepper PLLC
GM Nameplate
Harris & Moure PLLC
James Farrell and Company
JPMorgan Chase
K & L Gates LLP
Nordstrom
Pacific Lumber and Shipping
Port of Everett
Port of Longview
Port of Portland
Port of Skagit
Port of Vancouver
REI
SanMar
Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt
Snohomish County Council
SSA Marine
Trident Seafoods
UPS
Washington Association of Wheat Growers
Washington Farm Bureau
Washington Grain Commission
Washington State Potato Commission
Waterstone Brands Inc.
Wells Fargo Global Banking
Westwood Shipping Lines

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At Sea Processors
Basta Boatlifts
The Broches Group, LLC
Chaves Strategies
Consulate General of Canada
Cocker Fennessee
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Desh International Law
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FM Legal Group
Freezer Longline Coalition
Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour
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Greater Spokane Incorporated
Highline College
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Move Forward Washington
North Seattle College
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Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center
OHL International
Pacific Merchant Shipping Association
Pacific Valley Foods
PATH
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Port of Ilwaco
Shoreline Community College
SightLife
SWL Holdings
UK Government Office, Seattle
University of Washington Global Business Center
United States Chamber of Commerce
Visit Seattle
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Washington State University IP
Washington Public Ports Association
Washington Roundtable
Wurts & Associates
 
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Amy Morgan, LLC
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Global Washington
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Pacific Northwest Waterways Association
Washington State Department of Commerce
Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association
World Trade Center Seattle

WCIT Advisory Board