Tag Archives: US Chamber

Wall Street Journal: Judge Partially Blocks Trump Administration From Enforcing Visa Ban

A federal judge in San Francisco has blocked the Trump administration from enforcing its ban against many of the biggest U.S. companies bringing in foreign workers under H-1B and other employment-based visas.

The ruling applies to workers for companies represented by the plaintiffs in the suit: the National Association of Manufacturers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Retail Federation and TechNet.

Read entire article here

US Chamber CEO Thomas J. Donohue in the New York Times: Why the US Chamber of Commerce Is Suing the Trump Administration

Over the past few weeks, the Trump administration has decided to close the door to engineers, executives, information technology experts, doctors, nurses and others who come to the United States on work visas. It has attempted to ban international students from attending American colleges and universities that hold classes virtually in the fall. And it has shown an unwavering commitment to canceling the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA.

Taken together, these are the most restrictionist immigration policies in nearly a century. This is a fundamental mistake at a time when our nation’s economy is already suffering.

Read the entire opinion piece HERE.

Business Standard: Trump move to ban H-1B visa will hurt job creation, warns business chamber

Opposing the Trump administration’s “sweeping attempt” to restrict legal immigration, the Chamber of Commerce on Monday (local time) said suspending work visas to secure high-skilled jobs for Americans in a bid to revive the coronavirus-battered would not help the country and would rather only slow down growth and reduce in US markets.

“Today’s proclamation is a severe and sweeping attempt to restrict legal immigration. Putting up a ‘not welcome’ sign for engineers, executives, IT experts, doctors, nurses and other workers won’t help our country, it will hold us back. Restrictive changes to our nation’s immigration system will push investment and economic activity abroad, slow growth, and reduce job creation,” US Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue said in a statement.

Read entire article HERE.

Keeping Trade Open: Where Do US Medical Products Really Come From?

The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted a heavy toll on the United States in lost lives and mounting economic hardship. While our resilience is unquestionable, the pandemic has laid bare the inadequacies of some aspects of U.S. preparedness, and policy changes are clearly warranted.

But will we embrace the right solutions? 

A number of lawmakers have introduced legislation to address some shortcomings. Several of these proposals proceed from the idea that the United States is dangerously dependent on Chinese medical products. While some of these bills adopt a deliberative approach, others call for quick action to compel firms to “reshore” production of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals.

Before policymakers charge ahead, it’s imperative that we start by identifying the real problems — and then devise the right solutions. 

Read entire article HERE.

US Chamber Statement on Impasse at World Trade Organization

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 10, 2019 WASHINGTON, D.C. — US Chamber Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs Myron Brilliant issued the following statement on the impasse that will cause the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to cease to function this week:

“Despite a number of challenges, the WTO and the global rules-based trading system it embodies are successful institutions that benefit the entire world. The increase in trade from the WTO agreements has raised living standards, boosted innovation, and stimulated economic growth in the US and around the globe.

The Trump Administration, like its predecessors, has called attention to problems with the functioning of the WTO’s Appellate Body, which plays a key role in trade disputes. These are serious issues. However, the shuttering of the Appellate Body caused by the block placed on the appointment of new members does not serve the interests of the US business community.

“The Chamber urges all parties to redouble their efforts to address the important issues the U.S. has raised regarding the functioning of the Appellate Body. The goal must be to revive it in a more responsive and focused form in keeping with the objectives established by the US and other members when the WTO was created nearly three decades ago.

“If the WTO didn’t exist, we’d have to create it. Its rules protect US firms from unfair treatment and hidden protectionism every day. Safeguarding this institution and its dispute settlement system should be an urgent national and international priority.”

Press Release: US Chamber Releases Artificial Intelligence Principles

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The US Chamber’s Technology Engagement Center (C_TEC) and Center for Global Regulatory Cooperation (GRC) today released 10 policy principles governing the use and regulation of artificial intelligence (AI).

The principles were crafted in collaboration with more than 50 of the Chamber’s member companies, representing all sizes and sectors of the American business community, and emphasize the need for a sensible and innovation-forward approach to address both the challenges and opportunities of AI.

“The advent of artificial intelligence will revolutionize businesses of all sizes and industries and has the potential to bring significant opportunities and challenges to the way Americans live and work, said Tim Day, Senior Vice President, Chamber Technology Engagement Center. “The US Chamber’s artificial intelligence principles place the Chamber at the forefront of the national conversations on AI and will serve as a comprehensive guide to address the policy issues pertaining to AI for federal, state, and local policymakers.”

The Chamber also endorsed the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s recommendations on AI. Drafted with leadership from the United States and adopted by over 40 partner countries, the recommendations are a flexible governance standard that promotes the responsible stewardship of trustworthy AI.

“As leaders in the development and use of AI, the US business community has a strong interest in supporting a global AI ecosystem,” said Sean Heather, Senior Vice President of International Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Foreign capitals are looking to promote trustworthy AI, without undermining innovation. We encourage them to turn to the Chamber as a partner and to our principles for guidance.”

The US Chamber will continue to work with US legislators and regulators to ensure America leads the way in developing and deploying artificial intelligence. 

Click to access chamber_ai_principles_-_general.pdf