Daniel Bahar, Director of Investment, Office of the United States Trade Representative, and Michael Tracton, Senior Negotiator for Investment Treaties, US State Department, will explain and discuss the newly revised US Model Bilateral Investment Treaty on May 31, 2012 at a lunch presentation.  The Model BIT is the US Government template for investment treaty negotiations, including with possible treaty partners such as China, India and others.  Chatham House Rules will apply.

When USTR and the State Department released the new US Model BIT to the public on April 20, they stated:

International investment is a significant driver of America's economic growth, job creation, and exports.  The 2012 U.S. model BIT text will help achieve several important goals of the Obama Administration ensuring that U.S. companies benefit from a level playing field in foreign markets, providing effective mechanisms for enforcing the international obligations of our economic partners, and creating stronger labor and environmental protections.

The 2012 model BIT also supports our strategic international commitment to a robust economic agenda.  It will play a critical role in ensuring that American firms can rely on strong legal protections when competing for the 95 percent of the world's consumers who live outside the United States, as well as in promoting good governance, the rule of law, and transparency around the world.

Like the predecessor 2004 model BIT, the 2012 model BIT continues to provide strong investor protections and preserve the government's ability to regulate in the public interest.  The Administration made several important changes to the BIT text so as to enhance transparency and public participation; sharpen the disciplines that address preferential treatment to state-owned enterprises, including the distortions created by certain indigenous innovation policies; and strengthen protections relating to labor and the environment.

Come join the DC Bar International Dispute Resolution Committee and the Dispute Resolution Interest Group of the American Society of International Law from 12:30-2:00 pm on Thursday, May 31 at Arnold & Porter, 555 12th Street, NW, Washington, DC, for this significant program.

This Off the Record Luncheon Program is sponsored by the International Dispute Resolution Committee, International Section. In cosponsorship with the Dispute Resolution Interest Group of the American Society of International Law.

Remarks made during "Off the Record" programs may not be used for publication.