Southern West Virginia News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) participated in a hearing held by the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee to discuss the topic of Advancing America's Interests at the World Trade Organization's (WTO) 13th Ministerial Meeting. The upcoming WTO conference, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on February 26, will provide member economies with the opportunity to engage in active negotiations.

During the hearing, Congresswoman Miller focused her questioning on two key issues. Firstly, she highlighted the potential impact of trade disputes on long-term consumer prices. Secondly, she addressed concerns regarding the lack of Intellectual Property (IP) protections for American entrepreneurs and small business owners under the Biden Administration.

Congresswoman Miller emphasized the significance of the Ministerial Conference for international trade relations, stating, "This year, we have witnessed the consequences of disjunctive, contradictory international trade policies in the Middle East, the Red Sea, and [with] our adversaries who want to see the demise of the U.S. economy. This is why this Ministerial Conference is critical to coordinate with our allies and set ourselves and the world up for continued success."

One of the experts questioned during the hearing was Kelly Ann Shaw, Partner for Hogan Lovells. Congresswoman Miller asked Shaw about the impact of trade disputes on long-term consumer prices and the mechanisms that the WTO should implement to ensure effective and timely resolutions. Shaw responded, "Dispute settlement, whether it's at the World Trade Organization or under one of our Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), is fundamentally our stick. It's the tool that we have to hold our trading partners accountable for the discriminatory practices that they may adopt that disadvantage U.S. workers, businesses, and farmers."

Regarding the impact on consumer prices, Shaw explained that sometimes the policies employed by certain nations result in increased consumer prices. Tariffs are used as a tool to enforce the rules, and winning a case at the WTO allows for the imposition of retaliation until compliance is achieved. Shaw emphasized that the effectiveness of dispute settlement should be measured by the results obtained, the pressure placed on the other party, and the speed at which relief can be provided to producers.

Congresswoman Miller also questioned Eddie J. Sullivan, co-founder and president of SAB Biotherapeutics, about the potential impact of expanding the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) waivers to diagnostics and therapeutics without certainty of IP protection. Sullivan highlighted the importance of strong intellectual property rights in fostering innovation and investment in the United States. He stated, "It's because we have always stood for strong intellectual property protections. That also translates into being able to find funding associated with those and so, it is a delicate ecosystem that we have created in this country that has allowed us to be the world leader in innovation."

Sullivan emphasized that weakening IP protections by agreeing to TRIPs waivers would undermine the U.S.'s position as a global leader in innovation. He highlighted the contributions made by U.S. companies during the COVID-19 pandemic and stressed the need to maintain a robust ecosystem that incentivizes invention and fosters collaboration.

The hearing provided valuable insights into the potential consequences of trade disputes on consumer prices and the importance of protecting intellectual property rights. Congresswoman Miller's questions and the responses from experts like Kelly Ann Shaw and Eddie J. Sullivan shed light on critical issues that will be discussed at the upcoming WTO Ministerial Meeting in Abu Dhabi.