Chemical manufacturing in North America is an illustration of the promise of free trade and regional economic integration. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has played an important role building a North American market for chemical manufacturers and their customers. Modernizing NAFTA presents an opportunity to take that promise even further. The data tell […]
About Greg Skelton
Senior Director, Global Affairs | American Chemistry Council
ICCA at the first meeting of the SAICM Intersessional Process, Brasilia, 7-9 February
Representatives from the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) joined leaders from government and non-governmental organizations in Brasilia from 7 – 9 February to review progress toward meeting the objectives of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), and to consider the future of SAICM. Learn more about the first meeting of the SAICM […]
What “hulk” Mark Ruffalo doesn’t understand about trade policy
If you’ve listened to some of the discussions on trade policy during the Presidential primary season, you’d be forgiven for thinking that trade deals have had a negative impact on the U.S. economy. That’s far from the case. Indeed, it’s been a frustrating few months for those in favor of rational, evidence-based debate on U.S. […]
Fueling Export Growth (Part 2 of 2): Why the expected surge in U.S. chemicals exports will depend on our country’s ability to deliver on its ambitious trade agenda
The release yesterday of ACC’s latest exports report, “Fueling Export Growth: U.S. Net Export Trade Forecast for Key Chemistries to 2030,” painted a bright picture for exports of chemicals linked to the shale gas revolution. But what stood out to me even more than the numbers themselves was that our industry’s massive growth potential largely […]
Tired accusations on TTIP
It seems self-evident that efforts to improve regulatory transparency while maintaining strong protections for the environment and human health; to enhance regulatory efficiency while reducing costs for governments and industry; and to stimulate the economy while supporting job growth should be shared objectives under the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Unfortunately, that appears not […]
Reducing trade tariffs on environmental goods is a worthwhile idea, but what constitutes the “good”?
The chemical industry is strongly committed to the protection of health, safety and the environment in its operations. ACC supported the inclusion of environmental objectives in recent U.S. bilateral trade agreements, which highlight the potential for positive synergies between trade agreements and environmental objectives. It’s also important, however, to ensure that these environmental objectives don’t […]
Why American chemistry supports an ambitious U.S. trade agenda
For U.S. chemical manufacturers to succeed in today’s global economy, they must be able to compete effectively in international markets. This requires an ambitious trade agenda, including robust and comprehensive trade and economic partnerships, that can deliver enhanced access to overseas markets. In a welcome development, the role of trade in driving and reinforcing economic […]
Setting the record straight on TTIP
If you happened to see a copy of this press release last week, you might have been given the impression that ACC and its European counterparts were engaged in a nefarious plot to undermine the very basis for sound chemicals management on both sides of the Atlantic (I’ll have mine with an extra helping of […]
Regulatory cooperation under T-TIP: Greater efficiency, strong health and environmental protections
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) is a historic opportunity to promote economic growth and job creation, enhance U.S. competitiveness and expand consumer choice. But it’s also a junction through which U.S. and EU regulators can join together to secure efficiencies and enhance their ongoing efforts to protect human health and the environment. Eliminating […]
3 reasons U.S. chemical manufacturers would welcome Japan to TPP negotiations
“This is our last chance. If we don’t seize it, Japan will be left out,” declared Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Able in a televised address last Friday, calling for his country’s support in joining the U.S. and 10 other parties in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. The American Chemistry Council is among several business groups […]
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