Finally, after four months of waiting, the United States has a new Trade Representative – Robert Lighthizer. Lighthizer steps in as USTR during what could potentially be a large shift in American trade policy under the Trump administration. Lighthizer’s career has, on paper, prepared him well for the role, which has taken on a new importance following trade-related tension in relationships...
Read MoreThe recent announcement from Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, explained the first results of negotiations between the United States and China as part of a trade agreement. The 10-point deal opens U.S. beef imports to the Chinese market after more than a decade, and also gives China the chance to export poultry...
Read MoreBy Trade Alliance to Promote Prosperity
HAPPY #worldIPday from your friends at the Trade Alliance to Promote Prosperity!!
Every April 26 we commemorate World Intellectual Property Day to highlight the benefits provided by IP. Because of IP, entrepreneurs, thinkers, creators, and doers are able to innovate and create in the globalized market of ideas and products. This commemoration was established by the World Intellectual...
Read MoreToday the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center released their fifth annual Global Intellectual Property Index, highlighting the best and worst international players when it comes to protecting intellectual property. Titled, The Roots of Innovation – the United States, United Kingdom and Germany rounded out the top three countries credited for protecting intellectual...
Read MoreBy Patrick Rosenstiel
For many Minnesotans, the business of the United Nations may seem worlds away. With this in mind, it is no surprise that many probably did not hear about the UN Secretary General’s Panel on Access to Medicine and its accompanying report, which was released in mid-September. The purpose of this panel was an important one. Their goal was to understand how lifesaving improvements in medicine,...
Freedom of speech? Due process? Maybe freedom of the press or protections against search and seizure? When you run down the list of constitutional rights that have made America, these and a few others come to mind. For most Americans, they are the best examples of our freedoms at work in everyday life. But when you think about the historical and economic building blocks of our country –from...
Read MoreFor America’s trade-centric industries (most of them) seeking solace in election year anchored by anti-trade (anti-job) rhetoric from both sides – a sign of hope has arrived. Yesterday the Clinton campaign announced Ken Salazar - former Colorado Senator, Secretary of Interior and staunch trade supporter - as the chair of her presidential transition team. Salazar will lead the team tasked with...
Read MoreAfter months of speculation, today Donald Trump tapped Indiana Governor Mike Pence to be his running mate. Gov. Pence will give Mr. Trump some conservative credentials, while a bringing a strong pro-trade voice to the 2016 presidential race – a perspective that has been desperately missing.
Both parties have mistakenly made opposition to trade and free trade agreements like the Trans...
Read MoreIndia has an immense potential to move ahead in its place as an economic powerhouse of Asia. With over 1.2 billion citizens and an academic infrastructure producing brilliant talent - particularly in science, technology, engineering and math – India is on track to be a leader in world innovation. However, many of India’s own policies are holding it back from its potential success.
Read MoreWhen you think of the word “counterfeits” what comes to mind? Stacks of phony dollar bills? World-class art thieves? Fake designer hand bags? What about the prescriptions you and your loved ones take to maintain your health? Or the brake pads you hope will work the next time you get in your car?
The counterfeit goods we usually think of first, fashion items, are actually the least...
Read MoreToday, Colombia’s Minister of Health announced what his country is terming a “public interest declaration” that will allow the Colombian government to violate privately held patents and set their own price on Novartis’s breakthrough cancer drug Glivec. This move flies in face of the legal bind between private industry, autonomous governments and the people they represent – jeopardizing the...
Read MoreAs the Union Tribune reported on last week, President Obama has prioritized protecting American companies from being robbed of their intellectual property by signing the Defend Trade Secrets Act (“Obama signs bill to deter theft of trade secrets, May 11”). As a center of IP intensive industries like software development and biotechnology, San Diego’s economy relies on companies who are...
Today is #worldIPday – a day which is meant to bring to light the importance of intellectual property to maintaining progress across a broad range of industries. From life saving pharmaceuticals to the latest updates in mobile technology, IP is the foundation of value for companies ranging from Apple to Pfizer. If this foundation is not protected – it could lead to the demise of some of our...
Read MoreLast week, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, Vice Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, delivered the keynote address at the Free State Foundation's 8th Annual Telecom Policy Conference. Blackburn has been a longtime supporter of protecting intellectual property and copyright laws in the telecommunications and recording arts industries. Blackburn represents Tennessee's 7th...
Read MoreBy Pat Rosenstiel
From the medication that keeps your heart pumping every day to the Oscar nominees that move us year after year, America’s brainpower is our greatest export. At the core of our economy are the intellectual assets that make America’s world-class pharmaceuticals, entertainment and technology possible. Sadly, our creativity and innovation risk theft everyday in a global market that is increasingly...
Read MoreBy Patrick Rosenstiel
Star Wars The Force Awakens has raked in over $600 million internationally in its opening week at the box office – one of the strongest showings from any film of all time. There are examples of economic development along the entire “value chain” of the cinematic experience. As droves of moviegoers make their way to the local theater to experience “the force.” jobs are being created...
Read MoreWith a lot of myth and hearsay being injected into the current debate on Trade Promotion Authority, the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service has put to rest one big talking point.
According to a new CRS report, TPA gives 'no new authority' to the president.
Passing Trade Promotion Authority "...affords Congress several procedural means to...
Read MoreIt was a sunny day in Washington but Senate Democrats managed to add a touch of gray to the proceedings. By voting 52-45 against granting President Obama Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to participate in trade negotiations with global economic partners, every Democratic senator except Tom Carper of Delaware failed to overcome isolationist fears and build an American economy that protects...
Read MoreIt seems that the president's request for Trade Promotion Authority ~ to grow our nation's economy and build our relationship with Asia ~ has been lost on those unfamiliar with trade policy and the dynamics of foreign relations. Commentators from the far right are starting to say that TPA is a way for the President to jam through his immigration agenda (see here for the good 'ol ...
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