TIA Sends Letter to Congress Requesting Permanent
Normal Trade Relations for China
Arlington, Va. -- The Telecommunications
Industry Association (TIA) sent a letter yesterday to
members of Congress asking for support in extending PNTR
to China.
In its letter, TIA noted that the bilateral market
access agreement announced between the United States and
China on November 15, 1999, is a strong package for U.S.
industry.
TIA stressed that U.S. telecommunications suppliers
stand to gain much from China’s accession to the World
Trade Organization, including lower tariffs, the right
to distribute and import goods without the mandated
intervention of Chinese entities, increased foreign
participation in China’s telecommunications services
sector, and much more. Through the third quarter of
1999, U.S. telecommunications equipment exports to
mainland China totaled almost $428 billion, which is a
22 percent decrease from the prior year’s period.
TIA President Matthew J. Flanigan stated, “With
export numbers currently decreasing, it is imperative
U.S. telecom suppliers gain unhindered access to the
Chinese market, which they could do if Congress grants
China PNTR.”
“Not only will equipment manufacturers like our
members benefit from extending to China permanent NTR,
but the average American will also benefit from
increased jobs in the high-tech sector, continued growth
of our economy, and more stable, balanced relations with
the world’s most populous nation,” Flanigan concluded.
Click
here to read the letter.
For more information, please contact Christine Keck
at (202) 383-1482 or ckeck@tia.eia.org.
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TIA is a full-service
national trade organization with membership of 1,000
large and small companies that provide communications
and information technology products, materials, systems,
distribution services and professional services in the
United States and around the world. The association's
member companies manufacture or supply virtually all of
the products used in global communication networks. TIA
represents the telecommunications industry with its
subsidiary, the MultiMedia Telecommunications
Association (MMTA),
in association with the Electronic Industries Alliance
(EIA).
P.A. Release 00-06/01.25.00
