Following the conclusion of the 13th World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi, where WTO members opted against expanding the agreement on the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver to include diagnostics and therapeutics, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons released a statement applauding the decision.
“Global leaders at the WTO heeded manufacturers’ warnings about the dangers of expanding the TRIPS waiver, recognizing its potential threat to manufacturers’ ability to combat global crises like COVID-19,” said Timmons. “Granting this waiver would have not only emboldened our global competitors but also undermined American innovation and our capacity to address future diseases. After years of NAM advocacy, this decision marks a significant victory for manufacturers, especially those tirelessly working to develop life-saving treatments and cures. We commend President Biden and Ambassador Tai for their leadership in securing this outcome.”
The NAM spearheaded advocacy efforts to highlight the risks associated with an expanded TRIPS waiver, engaging directly with the Biden administration, members of Congress, foreign governments, and business organizations, urging them to support manufacturers. Timmons also conveyed this message directly to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala during a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, in March 2023.
“In addition to the decision on the TRIPS waiver, WTO members’ move to extend the moratorium on e-commerce tariffs is another positive development,” Timmons added. “The e-commerce moratorium has been instrumental in fostering the growth of the digital economy. The NAM calls on U.S. trade officials to advocate for the permanent extension of the moratorium at the WTO, ensuring that this vital aspect of digital commerce remains free from expiration.”