Statement by Senator Chris Dodd on the Agreement Reached Between the U.S. and China in Negotiations to Update the Information Technology Agreement (ITA)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2014

Statement by Senator Chris Dodd on the Agreement Reached Between the U.S. and China in Negotiations to Update the Information Technology Agreement (ITA)

WASHINGTON – The following is a statement from Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) regarding the agreement reached between the United States and China on product-scope in connection with the negotiations to expand the product coverage of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA).

“MPAA commends the United States and China for reaching a crucial agreement on expanded product coverage in the negotiations to update the Information Technology Agreement (ITA). Once concluded, this agreement will encourage the growth of the U.S. and global motion picture industries by eliminating costly tariffs — some as high as 30% — on a wide range of digital and optical media and storage devices used in worldwide motion picture production, editing, distribution, and exhibition.

MPAA is grateful for the hard work and leadership of President Obama, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and the USTR team, who have worked tirelessly to narrow the differences with China to reach an understanding which will lead to a commercially significant agreement. MPAA also applauds China for contributing to the resumption of negotiations. We encourage all ITA participants to seize the momentum created by this agreement to resume and rapidly conclude the negotiations.”

About the MPAA
The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

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For more information, contact:

MPAA Washington, D.C.
Kate Bedingfield
(202) 293-1966
Kate_Bedingfield@motionpictures.org