EU–India Trade Deal Exposes US Trade Vacuum, Says ITIF

WASHINGTON—Following the European Union and India’s announced trade deal, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, released the following statement from Rodrigo Balbontin, Associate Director for Trade, IP, and Digital Technology Governance:

“The European Union and India’s free trade agreement should be a wake-up call in Washington. While other major economies are modernizing their trade relationships and setting new rules for global commerce, the United States is left on the sidelines while U.S. exporters lose ground to foreign competitors as nations around the world reduce or eliminate tariffs.

To be sure, both the European Union and India are not exempt from using unfair trade practices. Several European digital regulations, particularly the Digital Markets Act, are discriminatory to multinational companies. Additionally, India remains one of the world’s most challenging major economies for intellectual property protection and enforcement. Still, if this agreement helps reduce behind-the-border barriers, it could ultimately benefit the United States as the Trump Administration works out trade deals in these regions.

In a changing global trade system marked by rising protectionism, ITIF welcomes a free trade agreement between two large democracies. However, the defining challenge of this century is China’s mercantilism, and only a coalition led by the United States, alongside the EU and India, can meet it.”

Contact: Austin Slater, [email protected]