MAK Advisors LLC represents clients on matters involving international trade agreements, legislation, policies and regulations.We believe that the ever-changing complexities of international trade as a result of new policies, regulations and legislation require targeted and creative representation to achieve strategic results for clients.
We represent multinational corporations, foreign governments and trade associations in a broad range of international commercial, economic and trade related matters.In addition, we provide clients with strategic and technical advice in international trade negotiations, including World Trade Organization accession, as well as in bilateral and multilateral trade agreement negotiations.
MAK Advisors LLC specializes in:
International Trade Policy
We provide strategic and technical advice to clients on US international trade policy, including in the context of the ongoing Doha Round negotiations, as well as in other multilateral and bilateral free trade agreement negotiations. We represent governments, industry associations and private-sector clients in trade negotiations where we help advance client interests either under or by affecting current trade policy frameworks. We understand the interrelated legal, governmental, political and business issues involved in effectively advancing a client’s commercial interests. Together with our extensive experience with all branches and levels of the government, we regularly work with clients to affect trade and trade policy legislation, regulatory decisions and rules, interagency processes, and public and private commercial-sector initiatives.
US Trade Legislation
We advise US and international clients on matters involving US trade legislation. On behalf of our clients, we regularly meet with members of the US legislative and executive branches to discuss pending and enacted trade legislation. We have helped shape important implementing legislation for US multilateral and bilateral trade agreements and helped shape important US trade negotiating legislation, including presidential Trade Promotion Authority. In addition, we have helped craft and successfully sought passage of language in miscellaneous tariff bills.
We also regularly monitor and advise clients of legislative proposals that impact multilateral and bilateral trade agreements. Our comprehensive understanding of US legislative processes and international trade rules allows us not only to keep our clients informed of new legislation and its potential impact on their operations, but also to offer strategies to support or oppose the legislation, depending on our clients’ needs.
Economic Policy
We provide clients with strategic advice on economic policy and other commercial issues. We have represented governments, industry associations and private-sector clients, in significant trade negotiations with serious economic policy implications and regularly assist clients in interpreting, affecting and advancing economic interests in multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations. We have formed ad hoc working groups to mobilize business interests around particular trade negotiations or legislation and regularly participate in association and industry led coalitions to address specific trade negotiating positions and objectives. Also, on behalf of both commercial and government interests, we have participated in nearly all recent US FTA negotiations, as well as the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Free Trade Area of the Americas.
Foreign Policy
We have extensive experience advising governments and international commercial interests in US and foreign policy matters. We counsel clients on the impact of US foreign policy objectives and goals, how to affect US foreign policy and on compliance of US foreign policy with international obligations and commitments. We also advise governments engaged in policy, commercial, and economic negotiations with the United States, including with respect to US economic sanctions programs, sovereignty issues and export control matters. In addition, we represent governments in multilateral negotiations, including WTO accession negotiations, with significant foreign policy implications.
Trade Remedy Proceedings
We have advised clients in numerous US trade remedy proceedings, including antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, unfair trade and unfair import practices (Section 301) and safeguard (Section 201 and Section 421) actions. Our activities have included both counseling and litigating with respect to trade-related matters, including proceedings in several landmark international trade cases on behalf of major multinational corporations. Where appropriate, we combine legal argumentation and coalition building to affect decision making at the political level.