WASHINGTON-The Bush administration identified exclusionary wireless standards and high mobile-phone interconnection as barriers to telecom trade in a new report.
The findings, released by the U.S. Trade Representative, come as skirmishes escalate with South Korea and China over wireless Internet standards that administration and industry officials claim discriminate against U.S. firms.
The Bush administration recently filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization against China over its tax policy for semiconductors that favor domestic producers over foreign companies. It is unclear whether the United States plans to pursue claims at the WTO over wireless Internet standards in South Korea and China.
“Our recent free trade agreements have expanded consumer choice and opportunity, spurred innovation and will support our dynamic telecom companies as they develop new consumer products and services,” said Robert Zoellick, the U.S. trade representative.
