[CTC] Amb Tain requests 10-month ITC COVID-19 IP study

[Arthur Stamoulis]

Politico Morning Trade

TAI REQUESTS 10-MONTH ITC COVID-19 IP STUDY: U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai followed through Friday on plans <https://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=6ff9998c7c55017db8dda1610645aeb672b454ef5e2e1e6c841b60b78f0b8b072740e7f53e334f75a127609c3bdaad23> to ask the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate a number of questions related to whether the WTO should waive intellectual property right protections for Covid-19 therapeutics and diagnostics.

The move came as members formally missed a deadline <https://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=6ff9998c7c55017df6db3c7a53801f6eb0eef4eff7c285877673b40601451b52e8028a58a6401014726a850afc0615c5> they set in June for deciding the issue and also failed to set a new deadline, keeping the issue in limbo.

Tai asked the ITC to report back by Oct. 17, 2023, <https://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=6ff9998c7c55017d8f407dd8666bf7b9724c3d5ad76ef087e3eccf57104b356e33ce977e69e1bc1688460b858a263359> on supply-and-demand conditions for Covid-19 therapeutics and diagnostics, as well as pricing and trade flows. She also directed the trade panel to explore a list of other questions, including whether and how existing WTO intellectual property “rules and flexibilities” can be deployed to improve access to medicines.

“I am not asking the Commission to draw any policy conclusions, but rather I am seeking a robust record with respect to these issues,” Tai said in her letter.

She encouraged the ITC to hold a public hearing and solicit a wide range of views, including from foreign governments, NGOs, manufacturers and organizations such as the Medicines Patent Pool and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics.

Arthur Stamoulis
Citizens Trade Campaign
(202) 494-8826




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