SE North Carolina News

Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) and a coalition of 32 Senators are urging President Biden to reverse a decision by the U.S. Trade Representative to abandon key commitments at the World Trade Organization (WTO) related to digital trade. The decision by the U.S. Trade Representative has raised concerns as it could allow China and Russia to fill the policy vacuum and undermine American competitiveness and innovation.

The letter, led by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID), expresses concerns about the United States' decision to stop supporting commitments in the e-commerce negotiations at the WTO. These commitments, which have bipartisan support, promote the free flow of information across borders, protect against the forced transfer of American technology, and promote open markets for digital goods exported by American creators and businesses.

The coalition of Senators highlights the importance of these commitments in supporting U.S. economic growth and opportunity. The United States has been a global leader in protecting and expanding the open internet, advocating for commitments that ensure the free flow of information and strong digital trade rules. These rules guarantee the right to move data across borders and create a fair and competitive digital economy.

However, on October 25, 2023, the U.S. Trade Representative reversed course and announced that it was walking away from several core commitments in the e-commerce negotiations. These commitments include promoting the free flow of data, combating forced data localization, preventing forced tech transfer, and ensuring open, competitive markets for digital goods and services.

The Senators express concern that this decision by the U.S. Trade Representative will have negative consequences for workers and employers across all sectors of the U.S. economy, particularly small and medium-sized businesses. They argue that the decision not only turns its back on democratic allies but also empowers authoritarian regimes like China and Russia.

The coalition of Senators emphasizes that they support the core commitments that the U.S. Trade Representative has distanced itself from in the WTO e-commerce negotiations. They request that the President run a consultation process before changing the longstanding U.S. position on these important issues. The Senators are committed to working with the President to address these concerns and ensure that the United States remains competitive and innovative in the digital trade space.

This bipartisan effort by Senator Ted Budd and his colleagues underscores the importance of digital trade and the need for the United States to stand up to China and protect American competitiveness and innovation.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.budd.senate.gov/2023/11/30/budd-colleagues-call-on-white-house-to-reverse-course-on-digital-trade-and-stand-up-to-china/