CEA: International Trade Matters

Press Releases

7/22/2008
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION JOINS WITH NYC MAYOR BLOOMBERG IN PRO-TRADE RALLY
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®, joined forces with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other groups today for the launch of a major new nationwide campaign in support of trade.

7/21/2008
CEA TAKES PRO-TRADE ECONOMIC MESSAGE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® today launched a new nationwide grassroots educational initiative to help all Americans understand the importance of trade to creating jobs and driving U.S. economic growth. The cornerstone of this effort, the 28-state “America Wins with Trade” bus tour, launches today in New York City. New Your City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, J&R Music and Computer World CEO Rachelle Friedman and other dignitaries will help kick off the tour at J&R’s Manhattan store.

6/11/2008
CEA Applauds Taiwan Joining Multinational Challenge to European Technology Tarrifs
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® today commended Taiwan for filing a complaint at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over tariffs the European Union (EU) imposes on technology products. Taiwan joins the U.S. and Japan, which filed complaints late last month, alleging the EU’s refusal to remove duties on computer monitors, cable converter boxes and printers violates the Information Technology Agreement (ITA).

5/28/2008
CEA APPLAUDS U.S. CHALLENGE TO EUROPEAN TECHNOLOGY TARIFFS
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® today applauded the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for challenging tariffs imposed by European Union (EU) countries on U.S. technology products that impact the ability of American companies to export to Europe. Specifically, USTR today requested consultations with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and challenged the EU’s refusal to remove duties on technology products in compliance with the Information Technology Agreement (ITA).

5/23/2008
"TRADE DAY" DRAWS BROAD SUPPORT FROM ACROSS THE U.S. ECONOMY
The extraordinary and diverse support for today’s White House trade event shows the crucial importance of trade to the U.S. economy, according to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®.

4/10/2008
HOUSE ACTION ON COLOMBIA TRADE PROMOTION AGREEMENT SENDS “UNFORTUNATE MESSAGE,” SAYS CEA’S SHAPIRO
Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to change the rules requiring a vote on the Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. The following statement may be attributed to Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® President and CEO Gary Shapiro:

4/2/2008
TRADE FUELS $1.4 TRILLION CONSUMER ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, NEW CEA REPORT FINDS
Fueled by international trade, the consumer electronics (CE) industry is poised to generate $1.4 trillion in direct business activity in 2008, while directly employing more than 4.4 million Americans, according to a new study released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®. Burgeoning international trade is helping grow the sector, driving 14 percent of the CE industry's total output and 16 percent of its total employment.

2/25/2008
OPEN ENVIRONMENTS KEY TO INNOVATION ECONOMY, CEA’S SHAPIRO TELLS DETROIT ECONOMIC CLUB
Economic success in the 21st century will be driven by innovation and the ability to access new markets around the globe, allowing U.S. companies to create new jobs and consumers to benefit from technology, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® President and CEO Gary Shapiro said in a speech today before the Detroit Economic Club. Shapiro presented his thoughts on the keys to innovation – open standards and free trade – in a speech titled, “Technological Status Quo: The Oxymoron of Our Times.”

1/18/2008
CEA PRESIDENT AND CEO GARY SHAPIRO TAKES ON CNN'S LOU DOBBS AND HIS ANTI-TRADE, PROTECTIONIST POSITIONS
Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® President and CEO Gary Shapiro last night took on CNN’s Lou Dobbs and his anti-trade, protectionist positions during a live “debate” on the cable network’s “Lou Dobbs Tonight.”

1/8/2008
FREE TRADE, CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY AND DYNAMIC KEYNOTES HIGHLIGHT DAY ONE OF THE 2008 INTERNATIONAL CES
The 2008 International CES^® opened yesterday with an explosion of cutting-edge technologies, with more than 2,700 innovative exhibitors spanning a record 1.85 million net square feet of exhibit space, as well as dynamic industry keynotes and conference sessions. Produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®, the 2008 International CES, the world’s largest tradeshow for consumer technology, runs through Thursday in Las Vegas, Nevada.

1/7/2008
CONTENT AND CONSUMER ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES UNITE TO ADVOCATE PRO-INTERNATIONAL TRADE POLICYMAKING
The content and consumer electronics industries united around a policy issue driving both industries – international trade. Today, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) delivered a letter to congressional leadership asking them to advocate a strong trade agenda during the second half of the 110th Congressional Session. Gary Shapiro, CEA president and CEO, announced the letter earlier today during his opening remarks at the 2008 International CES^®, the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, which runs through Wednesday.

1/7/2008
USTR SUSAN SCHWAB AND CEA PRESIDENT & CEO GARY SHAPIRO AT INTERNATIONAL CES: TRADE IS VITAL TO U.S. ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOBS
U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab and Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® President and CEO Gary Shapiro today held a policy briefing for media that focused on the importance of trade to U.S. economic growth and new jobs.

12/20/2007
2008 INTERNATIONAL CES TO FOCUS ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE
The 2008 International CES^®, the world’s largest tradeshow for consumer technology, scheduled January 7-10 in Las Vegas, will again feature the latest and most advanced consumer electronics products the world has to offer. And this year for the first time, the show will also focus on an important and often overlooked component of the success of the CE industry – international free trade.

11/8/2007
CEA APPLAUDS HOUSE APPROVAL OF PERU TRADE PROMOTION AGREEMENT
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® today applauded the passage of H.R. 3688, the "United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act” in the U.S. House of Representatives.

10/17/2007
CEA TACKLES FEAR MONGERING ON TRADE
Calling international trade a vital component of the nation’s economy, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® President and CEO Gary Shapiro today announced a campaign to challenge protectionism. Shapiro also decried the unbalanced support of protectionism expounded by certain opponents of international trade, such as CNN’s Lou Dobbs, and challenged the CNN anchor to a live debate on his show.

10/4/2007
CEA CALLS ON CONGRESS TO ACT ON TRADE AGREEMENTS, CALLING THEM VITAL TO CONTINUED U.S. ECONOMIC GROWTH
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® today launched a multi-faceted campaign urging Congress to reject protectionism and pass trade agreements that it said will expand the economy and create new American jobs.

8/2/2007
CEA MEMBER URGES CONGRESS TO RESIST ACTIONS THAT COULD EXPOSE U.S. EXPORTS TO RETALIATION
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®, the preeminent trade association representing more than 2,100 consumer technology companies, today released a statement endorsing the testimony of CEA member company MAXSA Innovations before a U.S. House committee examining global free trade.

6/13/2007
CEA TESTIFIES ON U.S. TRADE POLICY AND ITS EFFECTS ON SMALL BUSINESS
The U.S. House Committee on Small Business held a hearing today entitled, “U.S. Trade Policy and Small Business.” The Consumer Electronics Association’s (CEA)^® Senior Director for International Trade, Sage Chandler, testified about the importance of small business access to foreign markets. CEA urged Congress to promote trade opportunities for small businesses by passage of free trade agreements, easing delay times on the U. S. southern border and promoting an expeditious visa program.

12/21/2006
CEA APPLAUDS TRADE BILL SIGNING
Consumer Electronics Association ^® President and CEO Gary Shapiro issued the following statement regarding legislation signed by President Bush yesterday granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) to Vietnam and extending other major trade preference programs:

6/9/2006
CEA WELCOMES THE CONFIRMATION OF SUSAN SCHWAB AS UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
The following statement was issued today by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) Vice President, International Elizabeth Hyman regarding the confirmation of Susan Schwab as the United States Trade Representative (USTR):

4/18/2006
CEA PROMOTES KAREN CHUPKA AND TODD THIBODEAUX TO SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT POSITIONS; CREATES NEW INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) today announced the launch of its new international department along with the recent promotions of Karen Chupka to senior vice president, conferences and events, and Todd Thibodeaux to senior vice president, industry relations. Both previously held vice president titles for the same departments.

1/18/2006
CEA APPLAUDS RICE-CHERTOFF STATEMENT SUPPORTING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TRAVEL TO THE UNITED STATES
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) welcomed yesterday's joint statement by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff which announced a three-part "vision" to improve border security and facilitate travel to the United States. The announcement, titled "Rice-Chertoff Joint Vision: Secure Borders and Open Doors in the Information Age," outlined initiatives focused on improvements in the use of technology, travel documents and screening systems that are intended to support and encourage travel to the United States while maintaining security objectives. CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro issued the following statement:

6/7/2005
CEA URGES HOUSE SUPPORT FOR CAFTA-DR
In a letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) today expressed support for the immediate consideration and passage of the U.S.-Central American - Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), a significant advancement in international market access and trade facilitation provisions.