The U.S. plans to initiate trade discussions with...

The U.S. plans to initiate trade discussions with other countries in an effort to boost telecom equipment exports as a means to add American manufacturing jobs, said the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative 2014 trade agenda (http://1.usa.gov/1fGXWH5). “We will seek to negotiate and implement Telecommunications Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with select countries to facilitate U.S. exports of telecommunications equipment,” said USTR Tuesday. The Obama administration also aims to conclude the World Trade Organization Information Technology Agreement (ITA) in 2014. The elimination of duties on modern information technology products through the ITA would boost U.S. technology exports, said USTR. The telecom industry approved of the prospects. “The President’s 2014 Trade Agenda demonstrates the Administration’s commitment to pursuing high-standard trade agreements that will open markets and level the playing field for the U.S. [information and communications technology] industry,” said Telecommunications Industry Association President Grant Seiffert in a news release (http://bit.ly/NU6lv0). “This will ultimately benefit the United States through economic growth, job creation, and enhancing America’s global competitiveness.” The administration is also prioritizing conclusion of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations in 2014, said USTR. Administration officials had previously aimed to complete the deal by the end of 2013. The USTR said it also expects “significant progress” on free trade agreement negotiations toward the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the European Union during 2014. U.S. trade negotiators intend to use the Trans-Pacific Partnership, WTO and TTIP forums to crack down on intellectual property infringements, said USTR. “We will use all appropriate trade policy tools to address key trade-related IP issues and resolve specific intellectual property rights [IPR] issues that undermine the rights of Americans,” said USTR. “We seek to actively combat global counterfeiting that both threatens American jobs and often endangers the health and safety of global consumers. The United States will continue to use the ‘Special 301’ process and annual report to Congress both to drive continued improvements to the IPR protection and enforcement system and to spotlight challenges."