Whitney Baird Speaks on Panel at WITA Trade & Tech Forum

Whitney Baird, President and CEO at USCIB, presented on digital trade policy - past, present and future - at the Washington International Trade Association (WITA) Trade & Tech Summit, December 8.

During her panel, The US Role in Global Tech Leadership, Baird noted that the United States has turned away from negotiating comprehensive free trade agreements, in favor of bilateral frameworks that are more speedy and offer greater leverage for securing specific trade concessions. This pivot away from multilateralism is a trend that is not likely to change in the years ahead, she said.

Baird highlighted the need for continued US leadership through multilateral forums like the WTO to ensure global digital rules remain open, cohesive, and predictable. Toward that end, she emphasized the importance of preserving the WTO's moratorium on the application of customs duties on electronic transmissions ("e-commerce moratorium"), warning that its expiration at the next WTO ministerial conference in 2026 would drive up costs, increase uncertainty, and harm small businesses and developing economies most.

Baird also identified emerging sectors where US leadership in the international arena is most critical, including satellite technology, quantum innovation, and cybersecurity. This is key to US economic growth and competitiveness in the global arena. Close collaboration with the private sector is essential.

Baird's fellow panelists included Jason Oxman, President & CEO, Information Technology Industry Council, USCIB member Robert Porter, Chief Global Affairs Officer, Coupang, and was moderated by Jordan Heiber, Vice President of International Digital Economy Policy, US Chamber of Commerce.

The WITA Trade & Technology Summit brought together leaders from the public and private sectors to explore the nexus between trade, innovation, national security, competitiveness, and geopolitics. 500 representatives from the private sector, foreign missions, and US government attended the Summit in-person and virtually.