Tags: EU | World | Trade | Technology

'Landmark' Trade Deal Could Slash Tariffs for Tech Products

Friday, 24 July 2015 02:15 PM EDT

BERLIN (AP) — Prices for games consoles, home entertainment systems and GPS devices could soon fall after major trade powers agreed Friday to cut tariffs on some 200 technology products.

The Geneva-based World Trade Organization said 49 of its members — including the United States, China and the European Union — reached a tentative accord to expand the 1996 Information Technology Agreement following three years of talks.

"Today's agreement is a landmark," said WTO director-general Roberto Azevedo. "Annual trade in these 201 products is valued at over $1.3 trillion per year, and accounts for approximately 7 percent of total global trade today. This is larger than global trade in automotive products — or trade in textiles, clothing, iron and steel combined."

In order for the deal to take effect, however, countries signing the accord must account for 90 percent of the global trade in technology products. Taiwan, a big producer of electronics, has faced considerable domestic pressure not to join. Along with four other countries — Thailand, Turkey, Columbia and Mauritius — Taiwan asked Friday for more time to consider the agreement.

Final details of the deal will be worked out by December, when trade ministers meet in Nairobi, Kenya.

Once implemented, the agreement will require countries to eliminate trade tariffs on most new-generation semi-conductors, satellite navigation systems, medical products that include magnetic resonance imaging machines, machine tools for manufacturing printed circuits, telecommunications satellites and touch screens within three years starting in 2016, the WTO said.

"This deal will cut costs for consumers and business, in particular for smaller firms, which have been hit especially hard by excessive tariffs in the past," EU trade chief Cecilia Malmstrom said in a statement.

Associated Press Writer Geir Moulson contributed to this report.

© Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Europe
Prices for games consoles, home entertainment systems and GPS devices could soon fall after major trade powers agreed Friday to cut tariffs on some 200 technology products.The Geneva-based World Trade Organization said 49 of its members - including the United...
EU,World,Trade,Technology
284
2015-15-24
Friday, 24 July 2015 02:15 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
 
TOP

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved