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CONTACT:  Ashley Rook, +1.202.429.4929, AshleyRook@Rational360.com

TIA Commends President Obama’s Efforts to Expand WTO Information Technology Agreement

ARLINGTON, VA (March 1, 2013) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, in collaboration with othermajor trade associations representing the high-tech sector, today released a letter to President Obama expressing collective support for the Administration’s continued leadership in expanding the product coverage of the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA). 

The ITA, originally established in 1996, eliminates tariffs on a wide range of ICT products.  The ITA has been one of the most commercially significant WTO trade agreements – from 1996 to 2008 two-way trade inITA-covered products increased by 10 percent annually, from $1.2 trillion to $4.0 trillion. 

The expansion of the ITA is an opportunity to update this 16-year-old agreement and take into account the innovations that have taken place in the high tech sector over that period of time.  A preliminary estimate of the benefits of expanding the ITA include the removal of tariffs on $800billion in annual global two-way trade and an increase of $2.8 billion annually for U.S. exports of ICT products – spurring economic growth and job creation here in America and around the world.

About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents manufacturers and suppliers of global communications networks through standards development, policy and advocacy,business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. TIAenhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members'products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment, and entertainment. Visit tiaonline.org for more details.

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and is a proud sponsor of ANSI’s Standards Boost Business campaign. Visit www.standardsboostbusiness.org for details.

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