White House's NAFTA Renegotiation Plans Spur Telecom, Tech Feedback

President Donald Trump's Thursday notice to Congress that he plans to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement spurred tech groups to recommend the White House address copyright-related issues in any update of the 1994 deal. NAFTA hasn't changed, “while our economy and businesses have changed considerably,” said U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in a letter to House and Senate leaders: “Many chapters are outdated and do not reflect modern standards. For example, digital trade was in its infancy when NAFTA was enacted. In addition, and consistent with the negotiating objectives in the Trade Priorities and Accountability Act, our aim is that NAFTA be modernized to include new provisions to address” IP rights and other issues. The administration can begin renegotiation 90 days after notifying Congress, the White House said. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross hailed the move as a sign that “free and fair trade is the new standard for U.S. trade deals.” The Telecommunications Industry Association believes it's a “timely opportunity” to update the agreement “by incorporating new rules of digital trade and related policies that will make internet-based services and other digital products more affordable and accessible,” said Senior Vice President-Government Affairs Cinnamon Rogers: “It is essential to maintain existing elements of the agreement that have contributed to U.S. leadership" in information and communications technology. NAFTA “was negotiated before the emergence of the Internet as an engine for international commerce, and consequently lacks rules protecting and promoting digital trade,” said BSA|The Software Alliance. Any inclusion of a chapter in the renegotiated NAFTA on copyright "must have mandatory language on copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use,” the Re:Create Coalition said.