The Washington International Trade Association (WITA) is proud to count hundreds of trade officials from around the world as members and alumni. WITA’s Embassy and Ministry Network (EMN) provides an opportunity for trade officials from around the world to stay connected with the global trade community, and to keep abreast of key developments on trade in Washington, DC. 

The EMN Series serves as a platform for embassies, ministries, and policymakers to engage with experts on the most pressing trade and economic issues of the year. The series brings together thought leaders from government, international organizations, academia, and the private sector to share insights, build dialogue, and establish connections in an intimate setting. With a focus on contemporary challenges and opportunities, the 2025 series addresses key topics such as trade policy, technology, climate, and global supply chains.

To support WITA International and the Embassy Ministry Network, for sponsorship opportunities click here.

In Partnership with

2025 Sessions:

(In formation – sessions subject to change)

• The Trump Trade Agenda in the 119th Congress: Key trade priorities and challenges in Congress, including digital trade and labor provisions.
  
  
• Congressional Trade Priorities for 2025: Legislative focus on tariffs, trade agreements, and labor standards.
  
  
• Sanctions in a Fragmented Global Economy: Sanctions trends in energy, technology, and finance amidst shifting global alliances.
  
  
• Evolving U.S.-China Trade Relations: Decoupling or coexistence? Navigating tariffs, investment restrictions, and competition.
  
  
• Modernizing NAFTA: USMCA Five Years In: Reviewing successes and challenges of USMCA implementation and enforcement.
  
  
• WTO Reform – Challenges and Opportunities: Discussing the future of multilateral trade institutions and their relevance in a changing global order.
  
  
• The Role of Technology in Trade and Digital Governance: Addressing cross-border data flows, privacy standards, and the digital economy’s expansion.
  
  
• Climate and Trade – A New Nexus: Carbon border adjustments, green technology transfers, and ESG regulations.
  
  
• The State Department’s Role in Advancing Trade Policy: Bilateral and multilateral trade priorities, fostering economic diplomacy.

Past EMN Programs

• The Trump Trade Agenda in the 116th Congress featuring Katherine Tai, Chief Trade Counsel, House Ways & Means Committee
  
  
• Sanctions featuring Peter Flanagan, Partner, Covington & Burling LLP and Peter Harrell, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Energy, Economics & Security Program, CNAS; Former Deputy Assistant Secretary, Division for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions, U.S. Department of State
  
  
• U.S.- China Trade featuring Matthew Goodman, Senior VP, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and John Veroneau, Partner, Covington & Burling LLP
  
  
• Section 232 featuring Manny Manriquez, General Director, Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc.
  
  
• Update on the USMCA featuring Sam Mulopulos, Legislative Assistant, Office of Senator Rob Portman, U.S. House of Representatives
  
  
• What’s Happening at the WTO? featuring Shara Aranoff, Partner, Covington & Burling LLP and Rufus Yerxa, President, National Foreign Trade Council; Former Deputy Director General, World Trade Organization
  
  
• New Technology and Trade featuring Josh Meltzer, Senior Fellow, Brookings; author of the Artificial Intelligence Primer and Lee Tiedrich, Partner, IP/Tech Transactions, Co-Chair, Global & Multi-disciplinary AI Initiative, Covington & Burling LLP
  
  
• Congressional Trade Agenda featuring Nasim Fussell, Chief International Trade Counsel, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, Office of Chairman Chuck Grassley and John Veroneau, Co-Chair, International Trade Practice Group, Covington & Burling LLP
  
  
• Investment Risk Review Modernization Act and the Export Control Reform Act featuring Mark Plotkin, Partner, Covington & Burling LLP
  
  
• State Department’s View on Trade featuring David Meale, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Trade Policy and Negotiations, U.S. Department of State

Participating Embassies and Ministries: 

                      Zambia