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Roundtable on Illicit Trade

Moderator

Paul Massaro

Policy Advisor

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Witnesses

Russ Travers

Acting Director, National Counterterrorism Center

Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Christa Brzozowski

Deputy Assistant Secretary, Trade and Transport

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Lisa Dyer

Director, Office of Intellectual Property Enforcement

U.S. Department of State

Aaron Seres

Acting Section Chief, Financial Crimes Section

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Illicit trade—the transnational smuggling of illegal goods—has grown dramatically in the era of globalization thanks to modern technology, free trade zones, and the absence of the rule of law in many countries. Today, the shadow economy is booming and is estimated to account for up to 8 to 15 percent of world GDP.

This roundtable brought U.S. government officials together with representatives of companies, associations, and organizations working to combat illicit trade. Participants discussed policy responses to the growing threat of illicit trade and how to build effective public-private partnerships.

Officials from the intelligence community, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of State discussed their agencies’ roles in the struggle to stem the tide of illicit trade.

Click here to see the full list of participants.

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Press Releases

Helsinki Commission House Leadership Marks Fourth An...

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WASHINGTON—Today, Chairman Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02) and Ranking Member Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09) marked the fourth annual Counter-Kleptocracy Month. The U.S. Helsinki Commission has marked Counter-Kleptocracy month since June 2021 when the Commission helped to launch the Congressional Caucus against Foreign Corruption and Kleptocracy (Counter-Kleptocracy Caucus). The Caucus is also chaired by Reps. Wilson and […]

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Articles

Helsinki Commission Advances Human Rights, Demands f...

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Hearings

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Press Releases

Hearing: Supporting a Democratic and Secure Moldova

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Press Releases

Chairman Wilson and RM Cohen Mark Third Annual Count...

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Press Releases

Helsinki Commissioners Announce Re-introduction of C...

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On Tuesday, Helsinki Commissioners Rep. Steve Cohen, Rep. Joe Wilson, and Senator Ben Cardin re-introduced the Combatting Global Corruption Act in both the House and Senate, along with Rep. Bill Keating, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar and Senator Todd Young. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation formally designates combatting global corruption as a key U.S. national security concern. It would require […]

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Press Releases

Helsinki Commission Announces Briefing on US-Europe ...

Dec 12, 2022

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Press Releases

Co-Chairman Cohen Calls for the Release of Political...

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Digests

Helsinki Commission Digital Digest July 2022

Jul 29, 2022

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Digests

HELSINKI COMMISSION DIGITAL DIGEST JUNE 2022

Jun 30, 2022

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Hearings

European Energy Security Post-Russia

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Press Releases

European Energy Security Focus of Upcoming Helsinki ...

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