In a November 6, 2012 article, Law360 quoted Venable partner Ashley Craig extensively on how he anticipates President Obama will handle international trade issues in his second term, specifically with China.
Craig noted that "The pharmaceutical sector, for instance, is moving aggressively into China, but U.S. firms continue to wrangle with regulatory and legal problems in the country, where they are told they have to follow one set of rules to operate one day and another set of rules the next day." He assured that "The Obama administration is going to continue to ping away at market access for U.S. companies." Craig explained that "There has been a spike in counterfeit goods entering the U.S. market sourced exclusively from China. I could see him pursuing a more aggressive agenda when it comes to that."
Further, he stated that "A second term also gives Obama an opportunity to make much-needed agency appointments and renew efforts behind key international trade initiatives, such as putting a commissioner in place at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and moving forward with plans to double exports." Craig added that "While remaining in charge of handling traditional revenue from duties, the customs agency is tackling an ever-growing host of security issues since the 9/11 terrorist attacks and is moving at a slower pace." He said "Assuming a commissioner is put in place, there will be a renewed focus on implementing security measures in customs and devising new issues on the security front."
Regarding exports, Craig said "In addition, the administration has put a heavy emphasis on increasing U.S. exports in an effort dubbed the National Export Initiative. In 2010, Obama outlined the plan to double U.S. exports over the next five years by upping trade missions, increasing export financing, negotiating new trade agreements and helping U.S. companies enter new markets." He concluded, saying "With another four years, Obama has an opportunity to do that."