FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Jeff Ostermayer (NAM)
(202) 202.637.3090 | jostermayer@nam.org
Trinh Nguyen (GIPC)
202-463-5379 | tnguyen@uschamber.com
AFTI Members Testify on How India’s Industrial Policy is Hurting
U.S. Competitiveness
NAM and GIPC Testify Before House Energy and Commerce Trade Subcommittee
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 27, 2013 –Swift action is needed to end the Government of India’s discriminatory industrial policies and erosion of intellectual property rights, members of the Alliance for Fair Trade with India (AFTI) stated today in testimony before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade.
“AFTI members want a level playing field and a fair shake in India,” testified Linda Dempsey, a co-chair of AFTI and the National Association of Manufacturers Association (NAM) Vice President for International Economic Affairs. “We want India to end its discriminatory industrial policy and unfair trade practices and ensure those practices are not repeated or extended to other products or sectors in the future. We look forward to the results of Secretary Kerry’s visit to India. We hope and expect the Indian government will respond positively and work constructively with the manufacturing community to address and resolve concerns.”
“We urge the Obama Administration to defend global IP standards and utilize every diplomatic tool available to encourage the government of India to strengthen their IP protections and respect global IP standards,” testified Mark Elliot, a co-chair of AFTI and the Executive Vice President, Global Intellectual Property Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Further, we call on the Indian government to protect IP, encourage innovation, and return to the path of developing a knowledge-based economy.”
On June 18, over 170 House representatives sent a letter to President Obama urging swift action against India’s unfair trade policies followed by a letter sent last week by the U.S. House of Representative’s Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp. In addition, 40 bipartisan U.S. Senators, led by Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) sent a letter to Secretary Kerry in advance of his trip to India urging him to engage in bilateral discussions with the Government of India on these same concerns.
AFTI will continue to work with members of Congress, the Obama Administration and the Government of India to pursue public policy options to level the playing field for U.S. exporters operating in India.
AFTI members include: The National Association of Manufacturers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center, American Business Conference, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, American Foundry Society, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, Biotechnology Industry Association, California Manufacturers & Technology Association, CropLife America, the Emergency Committee for American Trade, Motion Picture Association of America, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, National Foreign Trade Council, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Solar Energy Industries Association, and the Telecommunications Industry Association.
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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.
