U.S. Government Restrictions on Travel to Trade Shows a 'Shame,' CEA's Shapiro Says

It's a "shame" the U.S. government has restricted travel to trade shows like CES, where in the past attendance “was considered part of the job,” said CEA CEO Gary Shapiro in Shanghai on Sunday at the first CES Asia. He said CEA has had cooperation from the Chinese government that’s “very happy we’re here” and it wouldn’t be possible to hold CES Asia without its support because the government owns many of the companies and the media. Shapiro said CEA’s strong position on free trade can fall opposite of policies of China and other countries. CEA is very good at separating its role as an association representing U.S. companies and U.S. subsidiaries of global companies, he said. He marveled at Shanghai's infrastructure, including airports, mass transit and hotels, saying: “They’re doing something right here. The fact that they don’t allow Google and Twitter and Facebook and restrict the access of some companies is clearly their right to do as a country.” Espousing the value of an international trade show as a way to learn about other cultures, Shapiro said: “Anybody who thinks that their government has all the answers is probably wrong. I personally believe that if countries are trading, they’re less likely to be fighting.”