Who Should Attend?

The Intensive Trade Seminar is geared towards African embassies and ministries attending the Africa Leaders’ Summit and AGOA Ministerial that want to better understand the roles and responsibilities of the U.S. Government and Congress in trade policy making though trade capacity building.

The curriculum is focused on helping attendees broaden their understanding of trade policy making and anyone serving the import/export community.

We also encourage the international community working on economic and trade issues, and others who want to learn more about international trade, to participate in this program.

To keep the dialogue open and candid, the Intensive Trade Seminar is OFF THE RECORD and is not open to the press.

This program is free to attend and open for registration for embassy and ministry officials in Africa.

Date: Tuesday, November 29th, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (US/Eastern)

The International Intensive Trade Seminar (ITS): Africa Leaders Summit and AGOA Ministerial will be held virtually on Zoom**

Registration Required to Attend and Access Video Recording

4 Sessions over the course of 1 Seminar

Each session will highlight an array of U.S. government agencies and their roles in formulating trade policy.

AGENDA and SPEAKERS

Additional Speakers TBA

Tuesday, Nov 29

9:00 – 9:05 AM Welcome & Introduction

Kenneth I. Levinson, Chief Executive Officer, Washington International Trade Association
H.E. Ambassador Hilda Suka-Mafudze, African Union Ambassador to the United States

9:05 – 9:55 AM Session 1 :
Trade Responsibilities in the Executive Branch and the Interagency Process:
Description of trade policy in the Executive Branch including “White House” agencies (e.g. USTR and NSC/NEC) and role of the Department of State.

Florie Liser, President and CEO, Corporate Council on Africa; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa, USTR
Ambassador Terence P. McCulley, Managing Director, Africa Practice Lead, McLarty Associates; former US Ambassador to Mali, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire, and Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires at US Embassies in Togo, Senegal Tunisia, and Denmark
Moderator: Michael Smart, Managing Director, Rock Creek Global Advisors; formerly served on the staff of the National Security Council, and as International Trade Counsel in the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance

9:55-10:45 AM Session 2:
Other Departments and Agencies with Trade Policy Roles:
Departments of Commerce, Treasury, Labor, Agriculture, FDA, USITC, Customs, etc.

Eric Biel, Adjunct Professor of Law, Georgetown Law; former Department of Labor, Human Rights First , Commerce Department and Capitol Hill
Brian Grunenfelder, Trade Advisor, American Sugar Alliance; former USDA Foreign Agricultural Service and former AUSTR for Agricultural Affairs
Moderator: Ed Gresser, Vice President and Director for Trade and Global Markets, PPI; former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Trade Policy and Economics at the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)

10:45 – 11:35 AM Session 3:
Trade Finance and Investment:
USAID, ExIm Bank, OPIC, TDA, etc

Ambassador John Simon, Founding Partner, Total Impact Capital, and Senior Adviser (Non-resident), Project
on Prosperity and Development, CSIS; former Ambassador to the African Union and Executive Vice President,
Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)
Eric Trachtenberg, Practice Lead & Senior Director, Land & Agricultural Economy Practice Group, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)
Moderator: Katrin Kuhlmann, Visiting Professor of Law; Faculty Co-Director, Center on Inclusive Trade and Development, Georgetown Law

11:35-12:25 PM Session 4:
Navigating Congress:
Role of the United States Congress in trade legislation and oversight; working with Congress to advance shared priorities

Donna O. Charles, Principal Advisor and Professional Staff Member (Africa and PKO), House Foreign Affairs Committee – Majority
Steve Lamar, Chief Executive Officer, American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
Alexandra Whittaker, Democratic Chief Trade Counsel; Staff Director Trade Subcommittee at House Committee on Ways and Means
Moderator: Paul H. DeLaney, III, Partner, Kyle House Group; former International Trade Counsel, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance; former Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of U.S. Trade Representative

12:25 -12:30 PM Closing Remarks

* Most sessions will be available for attendees to watch at a later time. However, certain sessions may not be recorded to facilitate more open discussion.

** If your agency or business does not use Zoom, we can work with you to make content available on an accessible platform for later viewing.