FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Jeff Ostermayer (NAM)
(202) 637-3090 | jostermayer@nam.org
Trinh Nguyen (GIPC)
(202) 463-5379 | tnguyen@uschamber.com
AFTI Applauds the Overwhelming Bipartisan Congressional Support to Stop India’s Discriminatory Trade Practices
More Than 170 House Members and 40 Senators Urge President Obama and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to Take Action
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 21, 2013 – Ahead of Secretary of State John Kerry’s first official trip to India, the Alliance for Fair Trade with India (AFTI), co-chaired by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC), today commended members from both the House and Senate for calling on the Administration to end India’s discriminatory trade practices and intellectual property erosion, which are hurting American jobs and innovation.
“The overwhelming bipartisan support from Congress pressing for action to stop India’s unfair and damaging practices shows the scope and impact on American businesses and jobs,” said NAM Vice President of International Economic Affairs Linda Dempsey. “Our hope is that Secretary Kerry can engage India’s leaders at the highest levels and urge them to put an end to these discriminatory practices.”
“India’s deteriorating intellectual property system is a detriment to economic growth, future innovation and competitiveness—for both India and the global economy,” said GIPC Executive Vice President Mark Elliot. “The bipartisan support of more than 200 members of the House and Senate rings loud that Indian intellectual property practices cannot stand.”
More than 170 House members and 40 senators sent letters to President Obama and Secretary Kerry expressing concerns with India’s discriminatory trade and intellectual property practices and urged for immediate action to address them. The four letters are available here.
- On June 14, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) sent a letter to Secretary Kerry.
- On June 18, more than 170 House members, led by Reps. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) and John Larson (D-CT), sent a letter to President Obama.
- On June 20, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI), Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI), Trade Subcommittee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA), Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Charles Rangel (D-NY) and 35 members of the House Ways and Means Committee wrote President Obama.
- On June 20, 40 bipartisan senators, led by Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), sent a letter to Secretary Kerry.
The Alliance for Fair Trade with India was launched earlier this week by 15 multi-industry business groups to work with the Administration and members of Congress in pursuing public policy options that help create a level playing field for U.S. exporters and innovative companies operating in India.
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The Alliance for Fair Trade with India (AFTI) is committed to supporting U.S. businesses fighting against unfair and discriminatory treatment in India. For more information, go to AFTIndia.org.
