Washington — As trade barriers with the European Union grow, the Computer & Communications Industry Association offered comments to USTR on priorities for a potential trade agreement with the EU. CCIA welcomes the prospect of a holistic trade agreement with the EU to further the strong transatlantic relationship and encouraged USTR to use its achievements in the recently-signed U.S-Mexico-Canada Agreement as a basis for its negotiations.
Unfortunately the EU is currently seriously considering a vast number of regulatory proposals that could undermine legitimate and important digital trade including a digital services tax and regulations that would increase liability for online platforms. CCIA’s comments urge USTR to use this opportunity to reduce the burden caused by these regulations, and discourage further action that disproportionately closes the market for U.S. Internet exporters.
CCIA has supported expanding trade markets for 45 years and represents technology products and services providers of all sizes, including computer hardware and software, electronic commerce, telecommunications as well as Internet products and services.
The following can be attributed to CCIA President and CEO Ed Black:
“Europe has unfortunately used its originally well-intentioned Digital Single Market proposal to develop regulations covering tech companies in ways that will harm U.S. Internet services and also suppress their own internet sector in the future. USTR needs to be aware of the scope of protectionist measures Europe has approved, or is considering, and take steps to prevent and remedy these threats to the U.S. tech sector. This should be a priority of U.S.- E.U. trade talks.”