US expresses disappointment over suspension of ITA in Geneva

The US today expressed its disappointment over the suspension of negotiations towards an expanded Information Technology Agreement of the WTO in Geneva and held China responsible for this.
"The United States is extremely disappointed that it became necessary today to suspend negotiations to expand the Information Technology Agreement (ITA)," US Trade Representative (USTR) Mike Froman said.
"Unfortunately, a diverse group of Members participating in the negotiations determined that China's current position makes progress impossible at this stage," Froman said, and hoped that China would review its position on the issue.
"We are hopeful that China will carefully consider the concerns it heard this week from many of its negotiating partners, and revise its position in a way that will allow the prompt resumption of the negotiations," Froman said.

The ITA provides for participants to completely eliminate duties on IT products covered by the Agreement.