Semiconductor Industry Association Backs Trade Action Against European Tariffs

Business Wire,  May 28, 2008  

Tags: Semiconductor Industry Association

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-- USTR Says Duties on Electronic Products Violate Trade Pact --

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) announced its strong support for measures taken by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) today to protect tariff-free trade in electronic products. These products have been duty-free since the implementation of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) in 1997.

""Free and fair trade is vitally important to the health of the U.S. semiconductor industry," said SIA President George Scalise. "We rely not only on open trade for semiconductor products but also for the electronic products that use semiconductors. The U.S. semiconductor industry is this country's second-largest export industry. U.S. chip makers hold nearly half of the world market, and approximately 70 percent of our manufacturing base is here in the U.S. Roughly three quarters of our sales take place outside of our borders," Scalise added.

"On the tenth anniversary of the ITA last year, WTO Director General Pascal Lamy observed that world exports of ITA products had more than doubled in dollar terms during the agreement's first decade, growing to account for over 14 percent of the world merchandise exports, exceeding that of agricultural products, and textiles and clothing combined. The ITA represents a major accomplishment, benefiting not only IT producers but guaranteeing lower cost access to IT products for consumers worldwide. Ambassador Schwab and her team are taking the steps needed to ensure that the progress made to date isn't eroded by misguided attempts to revert to protectionist policies rather than investing in competitive capabilities," Scalise concluded.

About the SIA

The SIA is the leading voice for the semiconductor industry and has represented U.S. semiconductor companies since 1977. Collectively, the chip industry employs a domestic workforce of 216,000 people. More information about the SIA can be found at www.sia-online.org.

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