The following statement is attributed to Gary Shapiro, president and
CEO, Consumer Technology Association (CTA), regarding the need for
Congress to ratify the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Today in a new print advertisement, CTA calls on Congress to pass the
“New NAFTA” as a means of strengthening U.S. physical and economic
security.
“Supporting American workers and driving economic growth are bipartisan
issues – and members of Congress should work to pass USMCA without
delay. This agreement will boost the U.S. economy, strengthen national
security, support millions of American jobs and advance our country’s
position as the global leader in tech innovation. It has been 25 years
since NAFTA took effect – a modernized ‘New NAFTA’ is long overdue.
“Today, technology creates new jobs and helps drive the U.S. economy. It
touches nearly every sector. The USMCA reduces barriers to digital
trade, eliminates technical barriers to trade and promotes America’s
online platforms. Congress needs to make passing USMCA a top priority.”
Specifically, the USMCA:
- Prohibits duties and non-tariff barriers on digital products.
- Ensures data can be transferred cross-border.
-
Prohibits forced data localization and expands the list of
cross-border services. -
Establishes balanced rules governing internet platforms that allow
user interaction and host third-party content. -
Prevents import duties on products including e-books, videos, music,
software, games and apps. -
Limits restrictions on information flow across borders, as diverse
information sources lead to economic growth.
View CTA’s new print ad urging Congress to approve the USMCA here.
According to a new
report released by CTA, the consumer technology sector directly and
indirectly supports 18.2 million American jobs and represents almost 12%
of U.S. GDP.
About Consumer Technology Association:
Consumer Technology Association (CTA)TM is the trade
association representing the $398 billion U.S. consumer technology
industry, which supports more than 18 million U.S. jobs. More than 2,200
companies – 80 percent are small businesses and startups; others are
among the world’s best known brands – enjoy the benefits of CTA
membership including policy advocacy, market research, technical
education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering
of business and strategic relationships. CTA also owns and produces CES®
– the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business
of consumer technologies. Profits from CES are reinvested into CTA’s
industry services.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190430005809/en/