8 Tech Groups Urge Congressional Leaders To Enact Trade Promotion Authority

Eight tech associations, including CEA, sent a letter to congressional leaders Thursday, calling for passage of Trade Promotion Authority. Others signing the letter were BSA/The Software Alliance, the Computer & Communications Industry Association, the Information Technology Industry Council, the Internet Association, the Semiconductor Industry Association, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and TechNet. “We need a gold standard framework for global trade that is reflective of today’s digital economy and the growing importance of the technology and Internet sectors,” the said. That requires TPA’s passage, it said. The Internet Association has pushed for copyright limitations and exceptions within TPA, which some believe could be a nonstarter for Senate Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah (see 1501290054 and 1501300038). In their letter, the eight tech groups said that "when it comes to writing the rules for the future, we cannot be idle." The global economy "is quickly and inevitably moving forward, so we cannot let our trade priorities and our economy remain in the 20th century," they said. Any gold standard framework for global trade needs to be "reflective of today’s digital economy and the growing importance of the technology and Internet sectors," they said. "The first step for accomplishing this is to pass an updated TPA bill that recognizes the realities of the 21st century economy and provides guidance to negotiators on achieving this modern trade framework. The second step is to evaluate each trade deal on its individual merits and whether it reflects America's trade priorities. We urge Congress to swiftly pass updated TPA legislation to support the almost 40 million American jobs supported by trade and ensure that our trade policy is ready for the 21st century."