ARLINGTON, Va.-At the International Trade Commission, Telecommunications Industry
Association President Matthew J. Flanigan testified regarding the economic effects on the United States of China’s
accession to the World Trade Organization.
According to Flanigan, “China’s accession to the WTO will not
erase all the difficult commercial issues that exist between our two countries,” said Flanigan, “But it will
begin to tackle many of the long-standing impediments to fair market access the United States has experienced over the
years.”
Flanigan said that for the United States, a commercially meaningful package would include “a
commitment by China to abide by the rules and standards of the WTO, to ensure fair and equal market access for U.S.
goods and services … and provide for clear and effective dispute resolution measures when necessary.”
Given
the significant role China plays for U.S. telecom equipment suppliers, Flanigan said China’s accession to the WTO will
require it to liberalize its markets.
“The more China liberalizes, the more competition it will host, the more
telecom networks will be built and the more infrastructure China will house,” said Flanigan. “This, in the
world’s fastest-growing market, means positive growth prospects for the U.S. telecom equipment industry that TIA
represents.”
WTO agreements China consented to include the Basic Telecommunications Agreement, which
is designed to phase out monopolies and establish competition, and the Information Technology Agreement, which is
designed to eliminate tariffs on information technology products, said TIA.
