NEMA and NAM issued the following releases on their websites following U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s recent release of the agency’s annual Special 301 report on global intellectual property protection.
(NEMA) — The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) urged Ambassador Katherine Tai, United States Trade Representative, and the Biden Administration to fully and comprehensively restart and reform the Section 301 exclusions process in a way that has clear eligibility standards for applicants, is transparent, and is fair to all who apply. NEMA companies play a crucial role across all sectors of the economy including transportation systems, building systems, utilities, and medical-imaging technologies. NEMA remains staunchly committed to fostering American innovation and creating high-paying domestic jobs.
However, electroindustry companies continue to experience the twin pressures of supply chain disruptions and increased costs, even as they work to play a critical and positive role in the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Ongoing supply chain difficulties continue to disrupt domestic production, increase costs for consumers and delay deliveries of critical products. A restart and reform of the Section 301 tariff exclusions process would help eliminate key bottlenecks at a crucial time for U.S. manufacturing.
You can read the full letter here.
NEMA President and CEO Debra Phillips stated: “The Biden Administration and Congress have taken historic action to bolster American manufacturing through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. However, inflationary costs continue to permeate through our supply chains. That’s why we’re calling on the Administration to restart and reform the Section 301 tariff exclusions process and ensure clear eligibility standards and fair practices. Section 301 tariffs currently represent millions of dollars in annual impacts on NEMA companies. Introducing a robust and transparent exclusion process that continues to safeguard domestic supply chains can help ease inflationary pressures for consumers and businesses at a critical time.”
(NAM) — Following U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s release of the agency’s annual Special 301 report on global intellectual property protection, National Association of Manufacturers Vice President of International Economic Affairs Ken Monahan released the following statement:
“Innovation and intellectual property are the lifeblood for manufacturers in the United States, supporting manufacturing businesses and a skilled workforce here at home, creating economic opportunity for Americans of all backgrounds and empowering American leadership around the world. That manufacturing innovation is also a constant target for foreign governments and businesses that want to steal or undermine critical IP protections and rules to boost their own economies at our expense.
“USTR’s latest Special 301 report clearly illustrates many of the biggest IP barriers—and bad actors—that the NAM highlighted in our January 2022 submission to USTR as risks to as risks to our manufacturing businesses and workers. This report is an important step toward concrete action. We urge USTR and other agencies to stand up for innovative manufacturers by knocking down these barriers and by pushing back against those who would weaken critical IP protections around the world.”
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