TIA Statement on the Administration’s Section 301 Investigation Report

Arlington, VA (March 22, 2018) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, today responded to the release of the administration’s report on the Section 301 investigation.

Cinnamon Rogers, TIA’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs issued the following statement:

“TIA appreciates the sustained hard work of the U.S. government to promote better market access in China, amid a growing number of laws and regulations that discriminate against U.S. and other foreign ICT suppliers. We agree with the essential finding of today’s report, that China has engaged in a pattern of unfair trade practices.

“However, we are deeply concerned by the direction of trade remedies the administration has indicated it will take. The proposed tariffs of 25% on information communications technology goods would make it more expensive to expand and upgrade American communication networks. Companies, governments and individuals would find it harder to access an essential productivity tool.

“TIA supports policies that promote the growth of a competitive global marketplace in network goods and services. We consistently advocate against the use of tariffs on ICT products in all countries because we believe they distort fundamental principles of supply and demand. We also urge the administration to work closely with like-minded allies in seeking to counter China’s discriminatory trade policies.”