Tech Groups Warn Against US Trade Enforcement Relying on Tariffs

U.S. tariffs could especially hurt the information and communications technologies (ICT) industry, many groups said Friday and Monday, singling out China. That country's trade practices concern these groups, but they said tariffs aren't the answer. "Imposition of sweeping tariffs would trigger a chain reaction of negative consequences for the U.S. economy, provoking retaliation," said a letter to President Donald Trump from CompTIA, the Computer and Communications Industry Association, CTA, Information Technology Industry Council, Internet Association, TechNet, Telecommunications Industry Association and other tech and trade groups. "Tariffs on electronics, apparel, and other consumer products would increase prices" and do "little to address the fundamental challenges posed by unfair and discriminatory Chinese trade practices," they said. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation said much the same thing: "Artificially raising the cost of ICT products by levying tariffs on ICT imports from China would reduce growth of U.S. ICT investments." The White House didn't comment Monday.