Led the legal team representing the Korean semiconductor industry in defending against various offensive trade actions by the U.S. DRAM manufacturer Micron Technology. In this proceeding, Micron Technology petitioned USTR to initiate a Super 301 investigation.  We devised and implemented legal and political strategies to counter Micron’s request, and USTR declined to open the investigation.

Represented the Caribbean banana-producing states of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States, defending them in USTR’s Section 301 investigation of the European Union’s banana import regime. As former European colonies, the ACP States were beneficiaries under the Lomé Convention of preferential access to the EU market for bananas. In addition to providing legal advice, we worked with a leading public relations firm to design and implement a political strategy to present the ACP states’ position to the U.S. government.  We are also participating in all aspects of the WTO case that began when the Uruguay Round Agreements Act took effect.

Represented the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on various post-WTO accession trade barrier issues, including USTR’s “Special 301” (intellectual property) process.  We obtained removal from the Priority Watch List and then complete “delisting” of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the course of four years.  We also advised on all aspects of the process, working closely with the lead Saudi government official and U.S. stakeholders, including the leadership of all major U.S. industry associations focused on intellectual property issues (PhARMA, IIPA, MPAA, etc.).

Provided legal and government affairs advice to a corporation that had increased its U.S. operations, but was still viewed by the U.S. government as a quintessentially British company.  We designed and helped the company implement legal and government affairs strategies to educate key U.S. decision makers regarding the company’s many contributions to the U.S. economy. Coupled with a strategy directed at USTR, this helped the company obtain favorable treatment in the NTE Report on issues of critical interest.

Represented numerous companies seeking to eliminate tariffs on imported inputs. The MTB, which traditionally had been enacted every two years, provides a legislative vehicle that companies can use to decrease the duties on products they import, if the products are not produced or are in short supply in the United States. We work with congressional representatives, USTR and other agencies to use the MTB to obtain tax relief for clients.

Advised companies and governments on the U.S. GSP program.  The GSP program provides preferential treatment, i.e., zero duties, to imports of many products from developing countries under the theory that increased access to the U.S. market will strengthen these countries’ economies. However, not all products are covered and various exceptions apply to continuation of benefits. Every year, USTR considers requests to add or remove products, and to maintain benefits that might otherwise be cancelled. We help companies and countries that seek either to extend and preserve benefits or to reduce or eliminate benefits.