WASHINGTON – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai today released the following statement after the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) issued its public report titled “COVID-19 Diagnostics and Therapeutics: Supply, Demand, and TRIPS Agreement Flexibilities.”
“Our office will carefully review the USITC’s findings alongside our colleagues throughout the Biden-Harris Administration. We look forward to having Congress and all stakeholders review this report too.
“I would like to thank Chairman Johanson and the USITC for conducting this important investigation. We hope that the facts in this report and the record the USITC has meticulously gathered will help inform a thoughtful and constructive policy discussion and deliberative process here at home, around the world, and at the World Trade Organization on matters so critically important to global public health and economic resilience.”
Background
In June 2022, World Trade Organization Members reached an outcome on an intellectual property response to the COVID-19 pandemic during the 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva. This outcome provided further flexibilities with respect to COVID-19 vaccines, as well as considering whether to extend the outcome to COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics.
In December 2022, Ambassador Tai asked the USITC to conduct an investigation into COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics and provide information on market dynamics to help inform the discussion around the supply and demand, price points, the relationship between testing and treating, and production and access.
Throughout these developments, USTR has consulted with Congress and a diverse range of stakeholders to inform the policymaking process. Following the release of this report, USTR will continue to consult with stakeholders, brief the relevant congressional committees, and meet with all interested Members of Congress to maintain a high level of external engagement and transparency.
Resources
2023 United States International Trade Commission Report on COVID-19 Diagnostics and Therapeutics (October 2023)
Ambassador Tai’s letter to USITC Chairman Johanson (December 2022)
###
