WASHINGTON – The AeA today called on the European Union to comply with International Trade Agreement rules covering import duties.
 
“We believe the European Union’s decision to impose duties on IT products that have previously received duty-free treatment under the ITA contradicts the letter and spirit of the agreement, hinders innovation in the importing countries, and raises trade barriers that harm U.S. exporters,” said Rob Mulligan, a senior vice president at the AeA.
 
In a statement, the AeA reiterated its support for the U.S. Trade Representative’s request for dispute consultation with the EU.
 
“The ITA signatories recognize the transformative nature of information and communication technologies, and the external benefits of their worldwide diffusion. The ITA has been an enormous success story both for economic development and expansion of trade,” Mulligan said.
 
“AeA strongly supports the decision by the U.S. Trade Representative to initiate a request for dispute consultation in the World Trade Organization with the European Union.”
 
The ITA was created in 1996 by 29 member nations of the WTO and currently has 71 signatories.