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Trade ministers from APEC’s 21 economies descended on the sprawling city of Surabaya in East Java this weekend in their annual discussions to promote trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. Though progress was achieved on a number of fronts, the tech community especially welcomed the clarion call issued by the ministers to conclude negotiations to expand the Information Technology Agreement [...]
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It’s another good day for the global campaign to expand the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and the accompanying prospects for fostering growth, innovation, and jobs. This afternoon, U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam, R-Ill., and Ron Kind, D-Wisc., along with 39 of their colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives, sent a letter to President Obama saying: [S]ustained U.S. political leadership at [...]
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Less than a month removed from the announcement by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that his nation would seek a seat at the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiating table, the Obama Administration has given its approval to the move. Adding Japan to the TPP represents a global economic game-changer. Word came this morning from Acting USTR Demetrios Marantis… “[W]e are pleased to welcome Japan’s [...]
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Dateline Geneva: We have just concluded a very productive set of meetings with roughly 20 WTO delegations here this week to press for expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA). Our U.S. industry group, comprised of seven business associations and a number representatives from tech companies, delivered two key messages. First, we stated unequivocally that these talks need to be completed [...]
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Dateline Geneva: It is somehow fitting that as the 83rd Geneva Motor Show wraps up here today, an event that celebrates the latest and greatest in innovations in automobile form and technology, trade negotiators from around the world are descending on this town for yet another round of talks to expand the WTO's Information Technology Agreement (ITA). Since last May, ITA members have been gathering [...]
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With Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s decision to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks, the chance for success and lasting economic opportunity has jumped manifold. The TPP is about job creation, open markets, and fair competition. We welcome Japan to the table, and think that this is an extremely important move not only for that nation, but also for all of the countries involved in the [...]
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The trade relationship between the United States and India will be under a congressional microscope today, as a congressional subcommittee looks at opportunities for, as well as potential threats to a balanced, mutually beneficial trading system between the two countries. ITI’s Dean Garfield will testify at the hearing, and is expected to focus on the Government of India’s forced localization initiative [...]
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The expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) is both an ambitious and achievable trade deal that can be completed this year. But it’s going to require a lot more sweat equity from the private sector, as well as the Obama Administration. That’s the message ITI and 19 other major economic and business organizations today sent in a letter to President Obama. In that letter, the heads [...]
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As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan meets with President Obama today at the White House, this is the right moment for him to announce that his nation is ready to join the United States and 10 other countries in the negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Such a step would increase considerably the potential economic significance of an agreement and almost certainly ensure that, if [...]
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If jobs and the economy are the focus of the President’s State of the Union Address and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s Republican response, then trade and exports should receive prime-time attention. Senior Administration officials recently have said the President will use his Tuesday night’s speech to zero in on jobs and the economy. In fact, the President told the House Democratic caucus late last [...]