International Trade Law News

The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) and USA*Engage recently commended the response of the U.S. and its European allies to the threat posed by Iran’s resumption of its nuclear program. "It is tremendously important for the United States and all of our allies to take a firm and unified stand against a nuclear Iran," said USA*Engage Director Jake Colvin. Colvin further stated that "we applaud the efforts of the United States, together with Britain, France and Germany, to refer this matter to the United Nations Security Council."

USA*Engage continues to advocate for a multilateral solution to the current impasse, and urges all UN Security Council Members to establish an appropriate response to Iran. While encouraged by current multilateral efforts, USA*Engage Co-Chair and NFTC President William A. Reinsch cautioned that unilateral moves by the U.S. would not help the situation. "Time and time again we have seen that unilateral economic sanctions by the United States do not work," Reinsch said. Reinsch also noted that "unilateral measures – including some bills pending in the U.S. Congress – would harm relations with our allies without achieving the results we all desire."

USA*Engage opposes legislation pending in Congress that would severely restrict the Administration’s flexibility to conduct foreign policy with respect to Iran. The organization has urged the Bush Administration and Congress to redouble its efforts to achieve a multilateral resolution.