Washington, D.C. — TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore today issued the following statement regarding the signing of the phase one trade agreement between the U.S. and China:

“This phase one trade deal is welcome progress to end the trade war, provide some tariff relief, hold China accountable for its unfair trade practices, and secure lasting changes, but much more work remains.

“As long as tariffs remain in place, they will continue harming U.S. consumers, workers, and businesses of all sizes, while hampering long-term investments in innovation. Before the ink on this deal even dries, the U.S. and China should get right back to work to build on the progress made in this phase one agreement.”

In June, TechNet testified before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Section 301 Committee on its Investigation of China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation, outlining the adverse effects additional tariffs would have on the American innovation industry and the broader U.S. economy. Since the start of the trade war in 2018, TechNet has continued to urge the Trump administration to reconsider tariffs as the approach to addressing China’s unfair trade practices.