April 22, 2010

Wyden Statement on the Release of ACTA Negotiation Text

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs and Global Competitiveness released the following statement today regarding the decision made by United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk to release the ACTA negotiating text:

“The decision by Ambassador Kirk to release the ACTA negotiating text is a step toward greater transparency in an increasingly important area of trade. This move shows that the USTR recognizes the importance of giving the American public the opportunity to understand and shape an agreement that may affect anyone who touches a computer from here on out. ACTA, like so many modern trade agreements, involves policies that impact the lives of millions of Americans. A poorly constructed agreement could be harmful to consumers’ ability to use the internet and could stifle the type of innovation needed to create new American jobs. I look forward to continuing to work with Ambassador Kirk to construct trade policies that create opportunities for America’s producers.”