Cross-Currents of Global Trade
VIEW EVENT DETAILSWith uncertainty around existing global trade alliances, WTO has recently predicted major reductions in its 2020 forecasts. The US-China trade relations headline most international trade news, and while it augurs unfavourable consequences for global trade, it has paved the way for emerging economies such as Vietnam and Thailand who have successfully captured the interest of foreign investors and presented alternate manufacturing avenues. It has also presented India with the opportunity to leverage current trade conditions to its economic advantage to become a strategic and long-term partner for the US.
Even after the recent manifestation of camaraderie between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, the trade deal between the two countries failed to materialize due to impasse around tariffs, information and technology products and price caps on medical devices and dairy & agricultural products. While the U.S seeks greater access to India’s growing and untapped markets, India hopes to regain its share of the US market under the generalized system of preferences. This programme will discuss what lies ahead for both nations post Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US, not just in the trade arena but also in international security. Brexit and UK’s ambiguous situation with the EU also adds to the uncertainties of international trade. UK is a crucial trade ally for both India and the US and hence an important factor of consideration in their trade policies.
Although a limited trade deal could not be finalized, the Indian government hopes to resolve the trade issues with the US at the earliest and while the current US administration is in office. President Trump has expressed much interest in finalizing smaller deals as a trajectory leading to a wider bilateral agreement. How will this work, especially with India? What is the middle ground in crucial and strategically important areas for both nations? What does it take to formulate trade deals that serve the best interests of all parties?
Join us as we discuss the recent developments in global trade, Brexit and Indo-US trade relationship with Ambassador Frank G. Wisner, International Affairs Advisor, Squire Patton Boggs; Joseph Crowley, Senior Policy Advisor, Squire Patton Boggs; Frank Samolis, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs; Matthew Kirk, International Affairs Advisor, Squire Patton Boggs and Neelkanth Mishra, Managing Director, India Strategist and co-head of Asia Pacific Strategy, Credit Suisse as moderator.
Joseph Crowley is a Senior Policy Advisor at Squire Patton Boggs specialising in public policy matters, including tax, financial services and healthcare. He was the former Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, the fourth-highest ranking position among House Democrats. In his 20 years in the US Congress, he was a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means and worked on issues related to Social Security and Medicare, championing affordable healthcare and lower taxes for middle-class Americans and small businesses. He was also a three-time co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, and co-founder of both the Bangladesh Caucus and Rare Diseases Caucus.
Matthew Kirk is an International Affairs Advisor at the Public Policy International Practice at Squire Patton Boggs. He provides strategic advice concerning business, politics and international law from the firm’s London office. He also advises clients on regulatory risk, market-entry, cyber risk and reputation risk. A career diplomat, he served as the UK’s Ambassador to Finland from 2002 to 2006. Most recently, he served as external affairs director at Vodafone.
Neelkanth Mishra is Managing Director, the India Strategist and co-head of Asia Pacific Strategy for Credit Suisse. He is part of the Advisory Council to the Fifteenth Finance Commission and has been an advisor to committees on GST, Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management appointed by the Government of India. Prior to joining Credit Suisse, he was a Senior Technical Architect with Infosys Technologies. He has also worked with Hindustan Lever Limited and has been an entrepreneur.
Frank Samolis is the Co-Chair of the International Trade Practice and Chair of the India Practice Group at Squire Patton Boggs. He specialises in international trade matters, including trade law, trade policy and legislation, and international trade negotiations. Frank has represented foreign sovereigns or foreign multinationals from Asia, Europe, Central and Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, in addition to US companies seeking expanded market access in major export markets. Appointed by the US Trade Representative and Secretary of Commerce to an Industry Trade Advisory Committee in 1992, he has consulted regularly as a private sector advisor with senior US government officials on policy issues and solutions.
Frank G. Wisner is an International Affairs Advisor at Squire Patton Boggs, LLP. He provides clients with strategic global advice concerning business, politics, and international law from the firm’s Washington DC and New York offices. Ambassador Wisner’s diplomatic career spans four decades and eight American presidents. He served as ambassador to Zambia, Egypt, the Philippines, and India during his extensive career in the State Department. In addition to his role as ambassador to four countries, he has served as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and as Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs. Before joining the firm, Ambassador Wisner served as Vice Chairman of External Affairs for American International Group.
RSVP Mandatory: [email protected]
Event Details
The Rendezvous,
Taj Mahal Palace Hotel,
Apollo Bandar, Colaba,
Mumbai - 400001