Global Business@Meridian – United States Trade Representative

Ambassador Holliday, Mr, Mark Linscott, Mr. Robert Scher

Overview

Meridian held an installment of the Global Business@Meridian breakfast series on January 10th, 2018.  Hosted by Mr. Robert Scher, Head of International Affairs at BP America, the program featured Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, Mark Linscott and drew over 20 corporate leaders together to engage in an off-the-record dialogue on the state of global trade and opportunities for U.S. companies in South and Central Asia.

Sponsor

In Attendance

Corporate Council Members:

Abbott
Aflac
Beacon Global Strategies
BP
Boston Scientific
Caterpillar
Chevron
First Data Corporation
Google
Microsoft
Squire Patton Boggs
Toyota

Office of the USTR: Mark Linscott, Zeba Reyazuddin (Director)

Guests: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck,LLP, Gen X Energy, John Deere, Lockheed Martin

Meridian International Center: Ambassador Stuart Holliday, Puru Trivedi, Lizzy Ramey

Featured Remarks:

  • Robert Scher, BP America
    Following around-the-table guest introductions facilitated by Ambassador Stuart Holliday, Mr. Scher highlighted the large and emerging partnership growing between India and BP and thanked the Executive Office for growth in this region. He introduced Mr. Mark Linscott by remarking on his incredible career and support for American businesses abroad.
  • Mark Linscott, Office of the USTR
    Following Mr. Scher’s introduction, Mr. Linscott began by remarking on how the attitudes towards and the policy of foreign trade has changed significantly over the last decade, noting that there is a renewed focus on trade deficits within the White House. Additionally, there are many challenges and opportunities for tradie in India and the South/Central Asian region as a whole.

Key Discussion Highlights

  • Mr. Linscott re-emphasized the recent shift in policy towards focusing on trade deficits and bilateral agreements abroad. There has been an effort to open and re-open markets that would provide more opportunities and jobs for American businesses using Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Recently the USTR office announced an initiative to focus this effort specifically on China. The South and Central Asain region is one without ample free trade agreements, but is also one where there is a lot of opportunity if and when the markets open up and agreements are made. This is the focus of Mr. Linscott's office and he is optimistic, especially with the progress that has been made with India. Their government has put a lot of effort into diversification that has strengthened their economy significantly.

    Meridian looks forward to working with the Office of the USTR and Executive Office of the President on future initiatives in Washington.

    For Council items, please contact Puru P. Trivedi, Director for Corporate Relations | 202-939-5524 | ptrivedi@meridian.org

    Project summary

    Global Business@Meridian – United States Trade Representative | January 2018
    Number of Attendees: 20
    Regions: South and Central Asia
    Impact Areas: Business and Trade
    Program Areas: Diplomatic Engagement
    Partners: Private Sector, Public Sector
    Ambassador Holliday, Mr, Mark Linscott, Mr. Robert Scher
      See Program Page