A summit with leaders of the member states of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP). Pictured, from left, are Naoto Kan (Japan), Nguyễn Minh Triết (Vietnam), Julia Gillard (Australia), Sebastián Piñera (Chile), Lee Hsien Loong (Signapore), Barack Obama (United States), John Key (New Zealand), Hassanal Bolkiah (Brunei), Alan García (Peru), and Muhyiddin Yassin (Malaysia). Six of these leaders represent countries that are currently negotiating to join the group. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By Rep. Jon Porter (Ret.) – The U.S. is widely recognized to have the world’s strongest IP protections, this is one area where we can’t afford to budge. Trade agreements, if done properly, are essentially jobs bills. And in the 21st Century, IP-intensive industries like technology, advanced manufacturing and biopharmaceuticals will play an increasingly dominant role in our economy. Ensuring our innovators are protected with strong and enforceable IP provisions is essential if we are to reap the full benefits of a multi-nation agreement as significant as the TPP. In short, other nations in the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership agreement currently being negotiated between the United States and about a dozen Asia-Pacific nations) must adhere to our standards of IP protection, not vice versa.
Fair trade opens borders, fosters economic freedom and helps to increase rule of law, especially in developing nations. It fosters better relationships between the United States and key trading partners while creating a level playing field for businesses to compete abroad. more> http://tinyurl.com/aoh8tg3
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