Stefanie Holland Posts

The political and economic leaders in China want to create a truly self-sufficient global power. While China is clearly an international player, leaders there want to keep a firm grip on business practices inside their borders. Bottom line is that China remains a country run by a strong communist party and that shows no signs of changing even as they expand their influence wider and deeper internationally.

The Trump Administration’s escalating trade war with China is hurting the information technology sector, the American consumer, and the U.S. economy. As the leading voice of the information technology industry, the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), filed comments with the U.S. Trade Representative asking that a number of important products be removed from the latest list of U.S. products potentially affected by new tariffs.

CompTIA along with the Technology Councils of North America and the State Tech Council Alliance Partners urged Congressional leaders on August 2 to roll back the tariffs placed on imported goods from China before they cause any more harm to our economy and U.S. competitiveness around the world.

On June 21, CompTIA Advocacy hosted a well-attended event on Capitol Hill to discuss technology services and the policies that shape tech services globally. The event was supported by the Coalition of Service Industries and Women in International Trade.

On November 27-30, Liz Hyman and Stefanie Holland attended the U.S. Information Technology Office (USITO) Board meeting in Beijing, China. The delegation of nearly 40 representatives from tech companies and associations met with U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad and the embassy team.

CompTIA, the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA), and our State Technology Council Alliance Partners, this week sent letters to Congress and the Administration to voice strong, unified support for NAFTA and provide recommendations for the NAFTA modernization.

You are invited for a “Trade Talk on Tech” hosted by CompTIA and Women in International Trade (WIIT). Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA), Chairman of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, who is in his final term, will offer keynote remarks. Panels of industry and government officials will follow, with remarks to focus on the top digital trade issues of the day including, the modernization of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the bilateral relationship with China, among other hot trade topics. Lunch will be provided for all participants.

As an executive committee member to the U.S. Information Technology Office (USITO), CompTIA joined fellow associations and dozens of tech companies for the USITO spring board meeting to discuss China policies that are of importance to the sector.

On March 28, the Trump Administration sent a draft notice of intent to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to the House and Senate trade committees. The draft notice outlines many familiar areas, while revealing areas of departure from past trade policies.