The Biden Administration Should Reject Further Negotiations on an Expanded TRIPS Waiver

Taxpayers Protection Alliance

December 6, 2022

For Immediate Release                                                Contact: Abigail Graham: (202) 417-7235

December 6, 2022     

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai recently announced plans to investigate the potential impacts of an expanded TRIPS Waiver, delaying any final decision on the matter at the World Trade Organization. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) continues to strongly oppose the expansion of the unnecessary TRIPS Waiver for COVID-19 vaccines to include therapeutics and diagnostics. An expanded TRIPS Waiver for COVID-19 would severely undermine strong intellectual property (IP) protections.

In response to Ambassador Tai’s announcement, TPA President David Williams, offered the following statement:

“Ambassador Tai has been engaged in irresponsible negotiations with other countries on a policy that could potentially block progress in strengthening and respecting medical IP. While the announcement of the delayed decision is welcome news, the Biden administration should not need more time or information to come out strongly against an expanded TRIPS Waiver. The facts on this issue are clear. Gutting protections for IP rights would directly diminish incentives for investment into the research and development (R&D) of lifesaving treatments. It would also give hostile foreign nations a free pass to steal U.S. medical breakthroughs in medical technology.

“The U.S. has led the world in medical R&D and provided countless patients with access to innovative treatments. Members of Congress and taxpayers have voiced their concerns about the impact an expanded TRIPS Waiver would have on this advantage. The Biden administration should heed these warnings and shut the door on negotiations once and for all.”

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Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.