Transatlantic Greater Birmingham
Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce
Contact: Mandy Haque T: 0121 725 8994
Transatlantic Chamber Patrons
UK’s new Stateside ambassador
Dame Karen Pierce (pictured) has been appointed as the UK’s ambassador to the United States. One of the UK’s most experienced senior
diplomats, Dame Karen is the first woman to serve as Britain’s ambassador in Washington. She had previous been serving as ambassador
to the United Nations in New York and Permanent Representative at the UN Security Council. The appointment was made on
recommendation from Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who said: “It is a time of huge opportunity for the friendship between the UK and US and I am delighted that Karen Pierce will take forward this exciting new chapter in our relationship. “We’re proud to be sending to Washington
Picture Courtesy of 2.0 Generic
United Airlines rolls out tracing programme
United Airlines - with the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – has announced a customer tracing programme in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the United States and around the world. During the check-in process, United
customers will be prompted to voluntarily opt-in and provide contact information such as an email address, phone numbers and an address of where they will be once they reach their destination, details that were previously difficult for the CDC to obtain in real-time. “Contact tracing is a fundamental
component of the nation's public health response strategy for controlling the spread of communicable diseases of public health concern,” said CDC director Dr. Robert R. Redfield. “Collection of contact information from
air travellers will greatly improve the timeliness and completeness of information for COVID-19 public health follow-up and contact tracing.”
Travel and trace: United began rolling out the programme before Christmas
such an outstanding diplomat, and I warmly congratulate her on her appointment.” Karen Pierce said: “I am honoured to have been asked to represent the UK in the US. I think
it is the UK’s single most important relationship. “There is a deep bond between Britain and
the US, built on many pillars. “We have a fantastic cross-government team
across the US and I look forward to working with them to strengthen and even further deepen the special relationship between our 2 countries and peoples.” Dame Karen has been the UK’s Permanent
Representative to the United Nations in New York since March 2018. Prior to this role, she was director general for Political Affairs and chief operating officer of the Foreign and Commonwealth in London, from 2016. Dame Karen joined the Foreign &
Commonwealth Office in 1981 and her first role was in Tokyo between 1984 and 1987, after which she returned to the UK to work in the Security Policy Department. She worked in Washington as the Private
Secretary to the British Ambassador to the United States between 1992 and 1995.
Customs agreement to ensure continued trade
Businesses trading with the United States are able to carry on doing so following Brexit, after the UK and US governments agreed a deal to continue Customs cooperation. The bilateral Customs Assistance Agreement
was signed by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury Jesse Norman and outgoing US ambassador Robert Wood Johnson at a signing ceremony at the US embassy in London. The agreement allows customs authorities to
continue to cooperate, including sharing data, to tackle customs fraud, maintaining the current strong relationship between US and UK Customs authorities. Jesse Norman said: "This is an important
agreement that ensures continuity post EU exit, and demonstrates the strength of the US-UK customs relationship. “This deal will allow us to continue to
cooperate in combatting customs offences by sharing information and good practice, and provides the legal underpinning for schemes to ease trade flows for importers and exporters.” Mr Johnson, who signed off as ambassador
last month with new US president Joe Biden set to make a new appointment, said: “Every single day, the US and the UK work side by side to stop criminals trafficking illegal goods across the Atlantic - from guns, to drugs, to illegal wildlife products and even counterfeit medicine. “This Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement
means that after Brexit, our investigators can keep sharing information to stop criminals in
52 CHAMBERLINK February 2021
their tracks and keep people in both our countries safe.” It will also provide the legal basis for the
Authorised Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement, which will ensure that people and businesses will continue to benefit at their respective borders. The Authorised Economic Operator scheme is
an internationally recognised quality mark allowing a business customs benefits at the border, in recognition that its role in the international supply chain is secure and that it meets international standards on customs control procedures.
Agreement: Outgoing US ambassador Robert Wood Johnson
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
