Latest news with #USChamber
Boston Globe
23-05-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
US Chamber CEO's advice for Boston business community: Be more welcoming
'I would say that it's almost all positive,' Clark said. '[But] there is something going on right now where you have to decide what inclusive means to you, you know? Does diversity include conservative thought? Because there are a lot of people in this country who aren't sure, right? There's a lot of conversation about: Would I be welcome in Boston? Would I be welcome at some of the elite institutions? Would my viewpoint be welcome?' Advertisement Clark, whose group is more conservative than the Boston chamber, noted the local trope that many people can live here for 25 years and not feel like a Bostonian. Advertisement 'That's in one way great for your culture,' Clark said, '[and] in another way, not great for vibrancy.' Before speaking to the Boston chamber, she had met with a group of local business executives — something she often does when she visits a city. The bottom line: The concerns in Boston aren't all that different from those in other cities, though she concedes there's a heightened worry here about cuts to federal research and how that might affect the region's universities and research hospitals. The US Chamber is currently focused on getting some version of President Trump's tax-cut bill through Congress. (The House passed the legislation, but it still needs Senate approval.) On taxes and deregulation, the US Chamber is in strong alignment with Trump. But they differ on tariffs, and the chamber recently sent a request to the Trump administration asking for exemptions from tariffs for small businesses, and for agricultural products that aren't grown here. Mostly, in her chamber speech, Clark made the case for stoking economic growth, saying that while it can't solve all of the nation's problems, it's tough to solve many of them without that growth. The chamber, per its annual tradition, also doled out 'Distinguished Bostonians' awards to key business leaders who contribute to the city's economic and social fabric. This year, honorees included Jane Steinmetz of Ernst & Young, Michael Curry of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, and Anne Klibanski of Mass General Brigham. The chamber's previous board chairs, along with current chair Corey Thomas, feted Rooney with a video in honor of his 10 years as chief executive. And Governor Maura Healey bounded up on stage to tout her administration's accomplishments, and to provide some encouragement to the business leaders while also seeming to make the case why she should be elected again in 2026. (Two Republicans, Brian Shortsleeve and Michael Kinnealy, have emerged to run against Healey, a Democrat.) Advertisement 'In a time of crisis, use it as an opportunity,' Healey told the crowd. 'I know we are capable of great things. We proved that 250 years ago when shots rang out by a bridge in Concord and a green in Lexington. That's Massachusetts. That's in our DNA. ... We're going to get through this and we're going to be stronger for it.' This is an installment of our weekly Bold Types column about the movers and shakers on Boston's business scene. Jon Chesto can be reached at
Fibre2Fashion
14-05-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
US-China 90-day tariff truce begins; US Chamber urges further relief
Effective today, the US and China have implemented a 90-day reduction in tariffs on each other's goods. As part of the agreement, the US has reduced additional tariffs on Chinese imports from 145 per cent to 30 per cent, while China has lowered its additional tariffs on US goods from 125 per cent to 10 per cent. Welcoming the development, John Murphy, senior vice president at the US Chamber of Commerce , stated, 'The US Chamber welcomes news that both China and the US will pull back from embargo-level tariffs and establish a new framework to address ongoing trade relations and disputes. We're also pleased that China will eliminate or pause the non-tariff trade restrictions recently put into place that were creating barriers for American businesses.' The US and China have initiated a 90-day tariff reduction starting today, with the US cutting additional tariffs on Chinese goods to 30 per cent, and China reducing its additional tariffs on US goods to 10 per cent. The US Chamber of Commerce welcomed the move but urged further tariff relief for small businesses and families, warning that tariffs remain significantly higher than earlier this year. 'While any agreement that reduces tariffs is good news, it is important to note that even with this China agreement, tariffs are much higher overall than they were at the beginning of the year, and many businesses, especially small businesses, are dealing with growing costs and disruptions. We continue to urge the Trump Administration to prioritise tariff relief for businesses and families, and to address foreign trade barriers as it negotiates with other countries,' Murphy added. The Chamber has also called for tariff exclusions for small businesses, for products not produced in the US, and for companies facing imminent layoffs of American workers as a result of tariffs. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)
Morocco World
20-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Retains Top IP Ranking in Africa and Arab World
Rabat — Morocco maintains its position as the leading country in Africa and the Arab world for intellectual property (IP) protection and innovation, Morocco ranks 22nd out of 55 countries with a total score of 59.21. This marks a slight drop from its 2024 score of 62.76 out of 100. The US Chamber attributes this success to Morocco's strategic efforts to strengthen its legal and institutional IP framework. The country has joined several key international agreements, such as the Singapore Treaty on Trademarks and the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement, which safeguard industrial designs. The Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC) has recognized this achievement, elevating various initiatives that support innovation, including the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH), which speeds up patent processing through international cooperation. Other programs, like the National Bank of Innovative Projects and the IP Marketplace, aim to support inventors and help bring new ideas to market. 'International recognition reflects the positive momentum Morocco is experiencing in industrial property, with steady growth in applications for trademarks, patents, and industrial designs,' stated OMPIC. The US authority had pointed out last year that, despite progress, Morocco still faces challenges, especially in combating counterfeit goods and digital piracy, with concerns over the clarity and enforcement of IP rights in fields like software-based inventions. Still, Morocco's high ranking shows its commitment to promoting innovation, improving legal protections, and attracting investment with a stronger intellectual property system. Tags: 'Morocco in processintellectual propertyMorocco news
Arab News
09-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
US Chamber of Commerce official discusses US-Saudi collaboration on AI policy
RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia accelerates its adoption of artificial intelligence, a strong regulatory framework is emerging as a key driver of US-Saudi collaboration. In an exclusive interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the LEAP 2025 technology conference, Steve Lutes, vice president for Middle East affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce, stressed the importance of implementing clear policies that inspire investor confidence. 'One thing that's always at the core is to have the policy and regulatory environment that is going to give confidence and clarity to investors, risk-takers, and innovators,' Lutes said. He added that Saudi Arabia maintains an open-door policy in working with the US Chamber and industry leaders to shape its regulatory framework. 'This will catalyze finance and fuel more investment, bring more innovation, and strengthen partnerships between the United States and Saudi Arabia in AI and across the broader economy,' he said. Saudi Arabia recently announced plans to expand its trade and investment ties with the US to at least $600 billion over the next four years, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman outlined the Kingdom's strategy during a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump. Lutes pointed to Saudi Arabia's young, tech-savvy workforce as a key factor in advancing AI under Vision 2030. 'Saudi is a young country, and you have a young workforce that is embracing technology and wants to be right there, whether in the private sector or government, leading the way on technology innovation and adaptation,' he said. He underscored that talent development, alongside a robust regulatory framework, will be critical in fostering AI innovation and scaling businesses in Saudi Arabia. Ensuring Saudi Arabia has access to cutting-edge US technology is also a priority, Lutes noted, emphasizing that this access is essential for the Kingdom's innovation ecosystem. 'It's one of the things that we would put toward the top of the list,' he said, referring to high-performance AI hardware such as Nvidia's advanced chips. While acknowledging the importance of security measures, Lutes emphasized the need to balance protection with cooperation. 'Yes, we want to protect and make sure that the right measures are in place, but it's absolutely critical that our strategic allies, like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, have access to and the ability to tap into US technology.' He emphasized the broader economic implications of this access, noting that US companies are already playing a significant role in Saudi Arabia's AI-driven transformation. 'What's going on here in the Kingdom is very important to our economic relationship in the United States and to the US companies that are already here, doing incredible things,' he said. 'We want to see that only grow, deepen, and create more jobs, more investment, more innovation, and more opportunities to strengthen the US-Saudi relationship.' Lutes expressed optimism about the future of US-Saudi AI collaboration, highlighting the role of diplomacy in achieving shared goals. 'I'm an optimist, and I believe we will get to a good place in terms of that policy,' he said. He added that efforts should focus on ensuring everything is fueled and catalyzed to accelerate partnerships between the US and the Kingdom, with the private sector leading the way.
