World Trade Center-Kansas City News: March 2024
Mar 12, 2024
A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
Happy Spring from WTC-KC! We are excited to welcome warmer weather and an exciting line-up of events! Last month, we were honored to host representatives from the German Marshall Fund and the Ambassador to the U.S. from Ukraine as part of the Kansas City stop on the Whistlestops for Ukraine Tour. The event featured a great roundtable discussion on the importance of strong international relations and looked towards the future of a post-war Ukraine. Watch the recap video here. We would like to pass on a new video newsletter from the World Trade Centers Association, The Centerpiece, where you can learn about World Trade Centers across the globe. You can view it here. WTC-KC has several exciting upcoming events, including networking, topic deep-dives, and foreign dignitary roundtables. More details are in the Upcoming Events section below. We hope to see you there. Please contact us with any trade needs.
Events
Doing Business with the Czech Republic
WTC-KC
March 13
Register here
The Importance of Working Capital for Sales Growth & Global Market Success
U.S. Small Business Administration & NASBITE
March 13
Register here
Jackson County, Missouri Sales Tax Listening Sessions
KCADC & partners
March 18 & 26
Register here
Talking Trade: Coffee & Networking
WTC-KC, Liberty EDC, Scarbrough, Liberty Area Chamber, Historic Downtown Liberty
March 21
Register here
Food & Agriculture Export Seminar
WTC-KC, Food Export Midwest, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri SBDC
March 26
Register here
Formula 8 - Customer Centric Problem Solving
Missouri SBDC, UMKC
Every Wednesday from March 13-May 8
Register here
Greater Seattle Export Accelerator
EXIM, GSEA, U.S. Small Business Administration
March 24
Register here
EMPOWER Asia - Access to Capital for Women-Owned Businesses - Public & Private Sector Resources
EXIM Bank
March 28
Register here
2024 KC SmartPort Annual Industry Briefing
KC SmartPort
April 10
Register here
Doing Business with Mexico
WTC-KC
April 16
Save the date
Pet Food Ingredients Buyers Mission
Food Export-Midwest
April 28
Save the Date
Trade Winds Europe/Eurasia
ITA/U.S. Commercial Service
May 13-15
Learn more
Agribusiness Sales Program to South Africa
ITA/U.S. Commercial Service
May 13-17
Learn more
2024 U.S.-China Agriculture Roundtable
US Heartland China Association
June 2024
Save the date
ILA Berlin Pioneering Airspace 2024
U.S Commercial Service & International Trade Administration
June 5-9, 2024
Learn more
EXIM 2024 Annual Conference
EXIM Bank
June 6-7
Save the Date
Dispatches from DC
The World Trade Organization (WTO) initiated reforms after the Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12), with an emphasis on transparency, inclusivity, and addressing member interests. Four informal meetings were held in 2022 and 2023 to discuss proposals covering various aspects, including dispute settlement and organizational improvements. Dispute settlement emerged as a critical concern, leading to informal negotiations and over 70 proposals from members, aiming to simplify procedures and enhance transparency [WTO Update, Dec 2023]. At MC13, progress was noted in dispute settlement reform, with the U.S. highlighting collaborative efforts and achievements in one year. While MC13 achieved agreements on electronic commerce and development outcomes, including new least-developed country members, challenges persisted in fisheries subsidies and agriculture, with the U.S. expressing disappointment. The U.S. remains committed to WTO reform, emphasizing a positive vision for trade and engagement in shaping a comprehensive agenda [Ambassador Katherine Tai Statement, March 03, 2024].
WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO
Sanctions+
Dentons
Listen here
RESOURCES
January 2024 Trade Law Update
Husch Blackwell
Read here
How Do I Compete Internationally?
EXIM Bank
Learn more here