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Europe / Foreign Policy / Trade

The Windsor Framework: Tackling “Troubles” in post-Brexit Trade in Northern Ireland

Executive Summary  Introduction  Three years after Brexit, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced the Windsor Framework. The plan would modify the Northern Ireland Protocol, the current trade rules that were agreed upon in the Brexit withdrawal agreement. The Protocol established EU compliant custom checks for products … Continue reading

Regulation

Searching for Common Ground between Energy Security and Environmental Justice 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing on February 7, 2023, titled Unleashing American Energy, Lowering Energy Costs, and Strengthening Supply Chains. During this hearing, the committee discussed 17 proposed bills. Several bills aim to remediate shortages and high prices by addressing the importance of American energy by creating waivers to … Continue reading

Trade

The European Union’s Response to the Inflation Reduction Act 

Executive Summary  Introduction  On August 16, 2022 President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). The IRA included numerous subsidies for corporations and consumers who produce and utilize “green energy.” Among the various product subsidies is a large tax credit for consumers who purchase American-made electric vehicles. The European Union was … Continue reading

Regulation

Is the FCC correctly expanding its role or overreaching for power?

Executive Summary  On January 23, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission released a proposed rule that would change data breach laws. While the FCC has long regulated Consumer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) at the direction of Congress in Section 222 of the Communications Act of 1996, the Commission now seeks to expand its role and increase … Continue reading

Trade

Biden Wrongly Backed Trump in Steel Feud with the World Trade Organization

In March 2018, the Trump Administration levied a 25% tariff on steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminum imports. The tariffs launched an international trade war between the United States and the majority of its closest trade partners. Multiple nations, angered by the tariffs, responded through formal complaints against the United States through the … Continue reading

Politics

Repeal the Jones Act 

Introduction  During a time of declining bipartisanship in Washington, one law continues to enjoy the backing of members in both parties: The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, better known as the Jones Act. The law requires that shipping between U.S. ports is conducted by ships that are U.S.-built and at least 75 percent U.S.-owned. Proponents … Continue reading

Politics

The Case for Permitting Reform

Introduction  Last month, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2022, a comprehensive permitting reform text meant to be included in the government funding bill. The proposal faced bipartisan opposition, with Senate Republicans still tiffed with Manchin’s decision to support the ironically named “Inflation Reduction Act” and progressives opposing the … Continue reading