Linda Moore President and CEO at TechNet | Official website
Washington, D.C. – A coalition of prominent industry associations, including TechNet, expressed concerns with the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) 2024 National Trade Estimate Report. The memorandum, led by TechNet, highlighted a significant reduction in the report's coverage of digital trade barriers compared to previous years, despite their increasing prevalence globally.
TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore emphasized the potential consequences of the USTR's approach, stating, “From China to Canada, countries around the world are racing to slow our growth and blunt our dominance by putting up restrictive trade barriers." Moore further criticized the USTR's decision to move away from established digital trade policies, noting that it could allow foreign competitors to gain an advantage at the expense of U.S. interests.
Moore urged action from President Biden, stating, “USTR’s flawed approach to digital trade works against our national interests and is hurting U.S. businesses and workers." She called for a reversal of the current trajectory, suggesting that Congress should reconsider USTR's role in representing the U.S. on digital economic issues if necessary.
The coalition's memo, signed by a diverse group of industry stakeholders, highlighted the vital role of digital trade in the U.S. economy. Despite its significant contribution, digital trade faces increasing barriers that impede economic growth, innovation, and competitiveness. The analysis revealed a substantial reduction in country analyses of data localization mandates and the exclusion of numerous digital trade-related concerns in the 2024 National Trade Estimate Report.
Notable exclusions from the report included measures restricting cross-border data flows, data localization requirements, source code disclosure mandates, and discriminatory practices favoring domestic companies over U.S. firms. The coalition's concerns were further exacerbated by USTR's withdrawal of U.S. support from key provisions at the World Trade Organization aimed at protecting American businesses from harmful trade barriers and discrimination.
The coalition's call to action underscores the importance of addressing digital trade barriers to safeguard U.S. economic interests and competitiveness on the global stage. The impact of these barriers extends beyond individual companies to the broader economy, affecting job creation, innovation, and overall economic growth.
