DHS Secretary, CBP Leaders Discuss Customs Issues with WCO Secretary General
World Customs Organization Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya recently made the rounds in Washington to discuss customs issues among U.S. trade leaders, the WCO said in a press release. Meetings included Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, CBP Acting Commissioner Thomas Winkowski, CBP Commissioner nominee Gil Kerlikowske and staff from the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees, said the WCO. "The Secretary General also held discussions with the Pharmaceutical Industry (PhRMA) on issues affecting the industry and in particular issues surrounding Intellectual Property Rights," said the press release.
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Subjects of discussion included President Barack Obama's executive order calling for completion of the International Trade Data System by 2016 (see 14021928), the international customs agenda and the World Trade Organization Agreement on trade facilitation (see 13120922). "A common theme that emerged from the meetings was the evident need to implement global measures in a consistent manner particularly with regard to the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation," said the WCO. "Representatives agreed that the WCO has the instruments and know-how to ensure such consistency."