Gary Shapiro CEO at Consumer Technology Association | Official website
Gary Shapiro, CEO and Vice Chair of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), has issued a statement regarding the Trump Administration's plan to implement reciprocal tariffs on other countries.
"Most reciprocal policies as described today by President Trump are common sense," said Shapiro. He emphasized the importance of considering how other nations treat American exports when forming trade policy. "Having some level of reciprocity seems fair, including reducing or eliminating American tariffs for our allies and those treating our exporters fairly."
Shapiro expressed hope for collaboration with the Administration and Congress to ensure that American innovators, entrepreneurs, and retailers receive fair treatment. He stressed the need to protect American consumers from higher prices and prevent economic slowdown due to inflation and high interest rates.
He urged Congress to pass new Trade Promotion Authority to validate President Trump's power in negotiating trade deals aimed at removing tariff barriers in key markets. "This memorandum is a good starting point to investigate the high tariffs and other discriminatory barriers to trade we want to bring down in other markets," Shapiro noted.
He called for U.S. agencies to include negotiations in their remedies for addressing these barriers. "We urge President Trump to use any leverage gained through tariff negotiations to break down barriers—not build them up—and to expand opportunities for American businesses, while avoiding tariffs that cause inflation and lead to higher prices for consumers."
