WITA's Friday Exchange

In the latest episode of the Friday Exchange podcast, former trade negotiators look at the new trade deal between Taiwan and the United States, potential tariffs on countries that do business with Iran, and U.S. threats of a Greenland takeover. Our experts also discuss critical minerals, chips, USMCA, Venezuela, China and more. Featured Speakers: Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The Int...

In the first episode of the New Year, former trade negotiators look at the nexus of national security, geopolitics and trade. They discuss the President's National Security Strategy; Venezuela and the "Donroe Doctrine"; gun boat diplomacy and tariffs; and investment considerations for big oil. Our experts also discuss USMCA, WTO Reform, what we might see if IEEPA gets overturned (did...

On December 4, 2025 WITA hosted the CoChairs of the Coalition for North American Trade for a fireside chat to discuss the review of the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA).  The three leaders discussed how the agreement makes all three countries more competitive in facing global challenges. Discussion features: Kevin Brady, Senior Consultant at Akin; former Chairman of the U.S. House Ways and...

On this week's episode of WITA’s Friday Exchange, trade experts dove into US digital spats with the UK, EU, and Korea, the recently released National Security Strategy and its “transactional isolationism,” and the recent US submission on WTO reform. Mark Linscott, Senior Advisor, The Asia Group; Senior Advisor, U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for...

This week on WITA’s Friday Exchange, former trade negotiators share their thoughts on the recent release of the National Security Strategy and its effect on evolving US economic security policy. Our trade experts also analyzed ongoing trade negotiations with India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, and news on trade and tech in China, and the recent hearings on the USMCA agreement. Introduction: Kenneth Lev...

This week on WITA’s Friday Exchange, former trade negotiators discussed the recent US-UK pharmaceuticals deal, shifting US-China trade dynamics in Southeast Asia, as well as a review of tariff policy this year and what’s to come next year.  Introduction: Kenneth Levinson , CEO,  WITA – The International Trade Membership Association  Wendy Cutler , Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institu...

On this week’s edition of WITA’s Friday Exchange, trade experts covered the recent U.S. trade deal with Switzerland, the possibility of an EU-CPTPP partnership, and new tariff exemptions, all in the context of mounting public pressure on inflation and evolving views on a new global trade framework. Wendy Cutler,  Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade...

This week on WITA’s Friday Exchange, former trade negotiators helped make sense of recently released trade deals and frameworks with Latin America, Korea, and Vietnam; the potential for tariff relief on coffee and bananas; and assess the implications for international trade policy, trade deficits, investment, and inflation. Introduction: Kenneth Levinson , CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membe...

On this week’s episode of WITA’s Friday Exchange, trade law and legal experts dove into the cutting issues raised at this week’s IEEPA hearing. Are tariffs the appropriate tool to deal with an economic emergency? If not tariffs, what powers does IEEPA give the president? And what do butter knives and steak knives have to do with this case? Tune into this week’s episode to find out. Introduction: K...

This week on WITA’s Friday Exchange, trade experts unpack the trade impacts of the Trump–Xi meeting; break down what we know about trade talks with Japan and Korea; deals with Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, and other bilateral developments from Trump’s Asia tour. Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade Membership Association Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice Presiden...

This week on WITA’s Friday Exchange, trade experts discuss President Trump's pique over anti-tariff ads and President Reagan's legacy, the new U.S.–Australia agreement on critical minerals and the prospect for trade deals between the US and its Asian trading partners, including an expected meeting between President Trump and President Xi. Introduction: Kenneth Levinson , CEO, WITA – the Internatio...

On this week's WITA's Friday Exchange we dove into the tit-for-tat escalation in the trade tensions between the U.S and China that is dragging the whole world into the fight over foundational elements of the global economy. Our experts also discussed the potential for a Trump-Xi meeting, the APEC Summit, and the prospects for de-escalation. Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – the Internati...

This week's episode of WITA's Friday Exchange was recorded during the 2025 WITA Virtual Intensive Trade Seminar. Speakers discussed the evolution of U.S. trade policy making in the 21st Century, dissected current trade policy developments, and analyzed the push and pull between three branches of government in the U.S: Congress, the Executive, and the Courts. Featured Speakers: Peter Harrell , Non-...

This week on WITA’s Friday Exchange, former trade negotiators turn their focus towards the world's most populous country, India, where trade frictions have defined the relationship for generations.  Guests discuss the geopolitical complexities of trade with India, tariff and non-tariff barriers, and key issues such as agriculture and digital trade. Featured Guests: Introduction: Kenneth Levinson ,...

This week on WITA's Friday Exchange, former trade negotiators discussed a spate of new tariffs announced this week; the challenges facing negotiations for those who have yet to come to terms with the White House; and where things stand for countries like India, Korea, Vietnam, Switzerland and more! Featured Speakers: Wendy Cutler , Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Actin...

For this week’s Friday Exchange, we’re pulling one from the archives that many of you may have missed. On February 11, 2025, Sean Spicer, the former Press Secretary and Communications Director for President Donald Trump and onetime Spokesman for USTR spoke to the WITA membership about navigating trade politics in 2025. Sean’s message to WITA then still resonates today. Featured Speakers: Sean Spic...

On this week’s episode, former U.S. and global trade negotiators discuss the WTO and multilateralism, as U.S. trade policy shifts towards bilateral trade deals and countries seek to make the WTO fit for purpose in a changing trade landscape.  Featured Speakers: Ignacio Garcia Bercero , Senior Fellow, Bruegel; Former Director for Strategy and Multilateral Affairs, European Commission; former Counse...

On this week's episode, former trade negotiators dove into the Trump Administration’s trade negotiations and announcements with Japan, the EU, Korea, Switzerland, and India, and discuss their broader impact on the global stage, including the Xi-Putin-Modi photo-op. Featured Speakers: Introduction: Kenneth Levinson,  CEO, Washington International Trade Association Dan Mullaney,  Non-Resident Senior...

This week, WITA welcomes The Trade Reporters to the Exchange Podcast. Most weeks, we invite in former trade negotiators to update our viewers and listeners on U.S. and global trade policy. This week, we turned the camera around to ask our guests what is it like to report on trade in Trump 2?  Our guests discussed what they are hearing as they talk to policy makers, business leaders, foreign leader...

Former Trade Negotiators Discuss This Week’s Tariff and Trade Developments within trade law and IEEPA. No one understands the dynamics with key U.S. trading partners better than the people who led these kinds of difficult trade negotiations for the United States. Panelists will update our viewers on the trade policy announcements, what remains undone; and what are expected next steps in these trad...

Former Trade Negotiators Discuss This Week’s Tariff and Trade Developments. No one understands the dynamics with key U.S. trading partners better than the people who led these kinds of difficult trade negotiations for the United States. Panelists will update our viewers on the trade policy announcements, what remains undone; and what are expected next steps in these trade negotiations. Featured Sp...

Former trade negotiators discuss this week’s tariff and trade developments with China. No one understands the dynamics with key U.S. trading partners better than the people who led these kind of difficult trade negotiations for the United States. Panelists will update our viewers on the trade policy announcements, what remains undone; and what are expected next steps in these trade negotiations. F...

Former trade negotiators discuss this week’s tariff and trade developments with the EU. No one understands the dynamics with key U.S. trading partners better than the people who led these kind of difficult trade negotiations for the United States. Panelists will update our subscribers on the tariff and trade announcements, what remains undone; and what are expected next steps in these negotiations...

Former trade negotiators discuss this week's tariff & trade developments with Japan, Indonesia, and India. Featured Speakers: Introduction: Ken Levinson , CEO, Washington International Trade Association Wendy Cutler , Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Mark Linscott , Senior fellow, Atlantic Cou...

Former Trade Negotiators Discuss This Week’s Tariff and Trade Developments with the EU, Brazil, Canada and Mexico No one understands the dynamics with key U.S. trading partners better than the people who led these kind of difficult trade negotiations for the United States. Panelists will update our viewers on the trade policy announcements, what remains undone; and what are expected next steps in...