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After some fruitful discussions on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings just wrapping up in Bali and a boost from the APEC Leaders themselves, negotiations to expand product coverage of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) are back on track. Recall the ITA talks were suspended in July after China showed up in Geneva with a super-sized list of products it wanted [...]
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The European Union has taken an important step in affirming the ongoing vitality and integrity of the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement (ITA) by completing its legislative process to eliminate duties on key high-tech products covered by the ITA – a welcome move following a WTO decision against the EU in 2010. In a dispute-settlement case jointly pursued by the United States, Japan, and Taiwan, [...]
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At last, Russia has stepped up and fulfilled its promise to join the Information Technology Agreement (ITA). Today, the WTO is reporting Moscow has joined the agreement, which is regarded by the tech industry as one of the WTO’s most commercially successful trade pacts. Recall the dust up a couple years ago when Russia seemed to be balking at an earlier commitment to join the ITA as a condition of [...]
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A global alliance of trade associations has joined together to urge China to take a fresh look at its position regarding the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) expansion negotiations and return to the table with a proposal that can lead to a strong outcome. In a joint letter signed by the heads of 35 trade associations from developing and developed countries around the world, we urged Vice Premier [...]
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The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) presents significant opportunities for new job creation and economic growth for both the United States and the European Union – if negotiators can forge an agreement that reflects the dynamic, innovative marketplace in both regions. That’s the message ITI’s Dean Garfield will offer at a Wednesday House hearing on TTIP. Dean’s testimony is going [...]
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Dateline Geneva – Despite great progress leading up to this week to close the deal on expansion of the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA), China showed up to the talks two days late and far more than a dollar short. In fact, China made almost no move to cut its staggering list of sensitive products it wants removed from the negotiating table. So no one was surprised when the e-mail notice [...]
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Dateline Geneva: Trade negotiators from around the world have arrived to a pleasantly cool and sunny Geneva to begin what we hope will be the final round of talks this week to expand the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement. Recall this tariff-elimination effort kicked off a little more than a year with a major conference at the WTO to commemorate the 15th anniversary of this important agreement. [...]
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There’s good news from New Delhi today as the Government of India (GOI) has opted to take a closer look at its highly controversial policy designed to compel foreign companies to manufacture electronic products in India if they want to sell there. After a meeting of India’s key economic and security policy advisors, the Prime Minister’s Office announced its decision today to revisit and review the [...]
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Yesterday’s announcement that President Obama has designated Wendy Cutler as Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative represents a very good day for U.S. trade. Wendy brings the hard-boiled skills that come from her many years at that agency and a proven record of success. She was the chief negotiator for the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, has led the agency’s impressive trade and investment work [...]
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With an overwhelmingly bipartisan 93-4 vote tonight, the Senate confirmed Mike Froman to be the next U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). This step comes as we seek to advance several critical global trade issues that are certain to help define the strength of the U.S. economy for many years to come. Next month, we hope the U.S. and other global governments will reach agreement on the expansion of the [...]