ITI: Biden Administration Can Advance Inclusivity and Equity Through Trade
WASHINGTON – Today, global tech trade association ITI underscored the important role binding, rules-based trade approaches can play in benefitting underserved and marginalized communities in the United States. In comments (opens in a new tab) to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), ITI highlighted that U.S. trade agreements and broader global trade leadership have resulted in tangible benefits to many workers across the country – including those in underserved communities – and implored the Biden Administration to pursue ambitious and enforceable trade commitments as it works to build inclusive, worker-centered trade policies.
“Binding, rules-based trade approaches and ensuring the benefits of trade include underserved and marginalized communities in the United States are not mutually exclusive goals; in fact, the United States can and should pursue a comprehensive trade policy approach that creates a virtuous cycle addressing both goals,” said ITI in its comments.
In its comments, ITI noted that trade opportunities can increase women’s wages and economic equality. Further, research has found that trade agreements for developing countries can provide market-based approaches to raise labor standards and wages (opens in a new tab). Enhanced trade ties can also help connect persons with disabilities to trade opportunities, and disability inclusion concerns and commitments are increasingly included in free trade agreements.
ITI’s comments also recommended that USTR:
- Consider trade implications of broader policy actions, such as the negative impacts on U.S. workers and businesses from the Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports;
- Enhance U.S. global trade leadership especially as other countries are advancing agreements that establish the rules of the global economy – particularly for digital trade;
- Reduce and prevent barriers to trade, which can disproportionately hurt workers and micro, small, and medium enterprises; and
- Ensure industry and all interested stakeholders can meaningfully contribute to the development and implementation of the Biden Administration’s trade policy agenda.
Read ITI’s full comment submission here (opens in a new tab).