Tech groups urge support for fast-track

A coalition of tech groups is urging the House to approve legislation granting President Barack Obama fast-track trade powers ahead of a vote on June 12. The tech groups, which have traditionally been supporters of free trade, say fast-track, or trade promotion authority (TPA), will help their companies grow in a globalized economy. “TPA will create a gold standard framework for global trade that is reflective of today’s digital economy and the growing importance of the technology and Internet sectors,” the groups wrote in the letter to Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

The signatories to the letter include the heads of the Information Technology Industry Council, Consumer Electronics Association, BSA | The Software Alliance, Telecommunications Industry Association, Technology CEO Council, Software and Information Industry Association, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, TechNet and the Semiconductor Industry Association. They say that the deal would have wide ranging effects on the tech industry, both in terms of protecting traditional forms of trade and on issues related to how data is handled. “It creates strong new provisions against forced localization measures, and protects cross-border data flows, ensuring the burgeoning demand for our companies’ digital goods and services is not thwarted by foreign governments before it is fully developed,” the groups said.