Washington
— TechNet, the national,
bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, today joined
with 12 other technology organizations to urge Congress to approve the Trans-Pacific
Partnership in 2016.

In a letter
to the bipartisan, bicameral leadership of Congress, the leaders wrote: “This is a historic opportunity to expand
U.S. economic leadership in the Asia-Pacific.
Failure to pass this agreement will not only disadvantage American
companies and the Americans who work for those companies, it will hamper the
ability to negotiate new agreements, or even improve existing ones. Our allies and trading partners in Asia are
also looking to the U.S. for leadership in the global economy. Passing the TPP will demonstrate the U.S.
remains unambiguously committed to free trade and to strong leadership in the
region. For these strategic reasons, we
urge you to work with the Administration to reach an agreement that will secure
passage of TPP in 2016.”

The letter
was signed by Linda Moore, president and CEO of TechNet, as well as the leaders
of Allied for Startups; BSA | The Software Alliance; Computer & Communications
Industry Association (CCIA); Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA);
Consumer Technology Association (CTA); Information Technology Industry Council (ITI);
Internet Association; Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA); Silicon Valley Leadership
Group; Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA); Technology CEO Council;
and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).

TPP was
negotiated among the United States and 11 Pacific Rim trading partners. TPP makes key improvements to international agreements
around:

  • Preventing data localization
  • Prohibiting digital customs duties
  • Supporting cross-border data flows
  • Sustaining cybersecurity and encryption
  • Barring forced technology transfers

The text
of the letter can be found here and below.