WASHINGTON-The high-tech industry applauded the resolution of a trade dispute between the United States and China over the latter’s semiconductor tax.
“As the world’s two largest markets for telecommunications equipment and services, it is important that industry and government from both sides work in the spirit of cooperation to make good policy and resolve trade issues,” said Matthew J. Flanigan, president of the Telecommunications Industry Association.
Rhett Dawson, president of the Information Technology Industry Council, said the accord “is critically important to the technology sector as well as all U.S. industry.”
Earlier this year, the Bush administration persuaded China and South Korea to make concessions in trade spats involving wireless standards. However, the United States and South Korea have yet to come to a meeting of the minds on Seoul’s intention to mandate a homegrown standard for 2.3 GHz portable Internet licensing. South Korea failed to implement the 2.3 GHz guidelines June 30 as scheduled, prompting some in industry and government to suggest it may be rethinking its position.
“America is the global innovator. American ingenuity has spurred far-reaching gains in human achievement, and we need to ensure that there is a level playing field so that our innovators and manufacturers continue to lead the world,” noted U.S. Trade Representative, Robert B. Zoellick. “These are real, concrete results. Today’s agreement complements our successful resolution of the wireless Internet encryption issue in late April and will ensure that our high-tech firms have full access to one of our fastest-growing markets.
“Day in and day out, we are working hard to enforce trade rules, deliver real results to American workers and ensure that there is a level playing field for American exporters,” Zoellick commented.
