Since its founding three decades ago, support for free and open markets has been a core principle of CCIA. CCIA recognizes that free trade advantages all nations, as they can focus on production of goods and services most suitable to their resources and workforce. Moreover, as the leading export industry of the U.S., the high-tech sector in particular benefits greatly from expanded trade. Since high-tech products and services are high revenue, high wage, produce little waste or pollutants, and drive advanced education and scientific research, a vibrant high-tech sector also benefits our economy generally.
CCIA continues to be engaged in diligently working to promote expanded trade and market access for high-tech exports through the abolition of tariffs and non-tariff barriers. As a long-time proponent of free trade, CCIA supports the bilateral free trade agreements pending before Congress (Peru, Panama, Colombia, and South Korea) as well as Trade Promotion Authority. However, we also believe that multilateral negotiations at the WTO are the preferred forum for expanding free trade, and have concerns that the recent movement toward bilateral trade agreements may undermine efforts at the WTO.