Everyone Agrees That . . .

SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE DOHA DEVELOPMENT

ROUND IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT

WHY?

• WHAT ARE IT INDUSTRY OBJECTIVES?

• WHAT ARE THE HURDLES WE FACE?

• WHAT IS THE TIMETABLE FOR ACTION?

Presentation to WITSAAustin, Texas May 5, 2005Joe Tasker, General CounselInformation Technology Association of America

IT Industry Objectives

• NAMA Talks (Goods)– Duty Free IT Sector– Market for Services a Function of Hardware Cost– Extend Information Technology Agreement to

more Countries– Expand ITA to More Goods

• Intermediate Manufacturing (circuit board production)• New Products (multichip modules)• Convergence Products (HDTV and VOIP)

IT Industry Objectives

• GATS Talks (Services)– Comprehensive commitments in “computer

and related services”– “2 Digit Commitments” Across all modes of

delivery– Eliminate ambiguous distinctions with broad

commitments– Adopt the “Friends” or FOCS approach

IT Industry Objectives

• Software– NAMA (recording)– GATS for Related Services (not Software

itself)– Favorable Treatment for Electronic

Transmissions– Avoid Classification by Function (e.g.,

Financial, Healthcare)

IT Industry Objectives

• Trade Facilitation

• Government Procurement– Broad Disciplines– More than just Transparency– Include China

Hurdles

• NAMA/Goods– Convincing case for elimination of duties– Can broad coverage be realized for convergence

products?

• GATS/Services– More countries need to make offers– “Mode 4” issue

• Software– A “Special Approach” will need to be studied– Critical to stay out of “content” classification

More Hurdles

• Trade Facilitation– Progress will depend on other sector success

• Government Procurement– Need convincing arguments for resisting

countries– “Sub Central” issue in United States– How can China be convinced

Timetable

RIGHT NOW• GATS “Better Offer” Deadline May 2005

• NAMA talks ongoing

• Agriculture Agreement Before Ministerial?

• Progress Needed Now to Get to WTO General Council Meeting in Geneva end of July

• Only Way to Have Time For Political Agreement Before Hong Kong Ministerial December 2005

• Hong Kong Success Critical to Concluding the Round in 2006

Conclusion

There is reason to be optimistic . . .

. . . But Success is not a foregone conclusion

Thanks

Joe Tasker, General CounselITAA

jtasker@itaa.org