By Lisa Malloy, director of Government Relations and Policy Communications for Intel
Last week, Intel kicked off our “Tech + Policy @Intel” series in Washington, D.C. with an intimate conversation hosted in partnership with the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) on international trade. Joined by trade policy experts from the Administration, Congress, think tanks and private sector, we addressed Asia-Pacific trade, economic growth and the path forward for U.S. international trade agreements. The focus of the reception was an in-depth conversation moderated by Robert Atkinson, President, ITIF, with Ambassador Robert Holleyman, Deputy United States Trade Representative. The conversation addressed issues related to the recent House Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) vote as well as next steps for future agreements, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).As we look to the Senate to advance TPA to the President, I’d like to offer five takeaways from the conversation with Ambassador Holleyman.
5 Key Takeaways:
- TPA is bipartisan. Despite the outcome on June 12, policymakers from both sides continue to show strong support and confidence in this bill. Our next step is to carry the momentum to pass Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and complete other trade agreements.
- Agreements such as the TPP are imperative not just for economic growth, but also for geopolitical stability. Japan, for instance, has specifically pointed to TPP as an important part of its domestic economic reforms. We need to increase awareness and send messages to our partners that we are committed to TPP and are eager to get back to the table.
- We need TPP to build a digital economy with a clear set of rules and principles. We have trading partners who are prepared to make commitments for this vision, but we need more allies. TPP represents 40 percent of the world’s GDP and this group of allies will help create the kind of ecosystem we need to thrive. This is our opportunity to secure American leadership and influence in the region.
- All countries who want to be a part of TPP compete with each other, but they also want to create a system to make each other stronger. With TPP, we have a chance to ensure high standards and stand up to those who do not follow the rules. Tech companies cannot enforce these standards, alone – we need trading partners to collaborate for a stronger global economy.
- When addressing concerns about trade, we need to maintain our focus on facts, substance and intellectual strength. The current environment requires us to explain the importance of international trade in ways that demonstrate the value to American employers, workers and consumers. There is a great story to tell about the value of trade, and we all have a role to play in sharing this story.
Tech + Policy @ Intel is an ongoing discussion series on the policy issues critical to American innovation and economic growth. Please stay tuned for more information and upcoming events!
Global Government and Manufacturing Communications for Intel