What’s Going On

The challenge: The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is currently analyzing the expansion of a June 2022 World Trade Organization decision to waive IP for vaccines to determine the U.S. position. Foreign competitors have requested that this damaging IP waiver be expanded to include a broad range of innovative therapeutics, diagnostics and their supply chains. Our biggest innovations and the very principles that encourage invest and a resilient workforce would be up for the taking and vulnerable to countries like China.

What we’re doing about it: The NAM is rallying manufacturers to urge the USITC to stand with manufacturers and oppose the expansion of the TRIPS waiver at the WTO. Our message is simple: we must work together to create long term solutions that provide global access to innovative breakthroughs without ever having to give up American innovations that protect our economy and keep us competitive.

Join us. Your voice is going to make the difference. Join manufacturers across America who are working with the NAM to submit their own comment to the USITC in opposition of the waiver expansion. Click HERE to contact Ryan Ong, NAM’s Senior Director of International Trade and Regulatory Affairs or email [email protected]. Don’t wait! We must make our voices heard by May 5, 2023.

Our Message

Don’t miss the latest news and insights from the NAM newsroom and the media on manufacturers’ work to oppose the expansion of the TRIPS waiver.

NAM News Room: The NAM Talks Democracy, IP and Trade in Geneva
NAM Press Release: Manufacturers: Protecting American Innovation Critical to Fight Current and Future Health Crises
NAM Press Release: Manufacturers: An Expanded IP Waiver Would Jeopardize American Innovation and the Ability to Combat Future Pandemics
NAM Press Release: WTO TRIPS Decision Jeopardizes Pandemic Response, Manufacturing Competitiveness
NAM News Room: NAM Urges Biden Administration to Protect Innovation
NAM News Room: As Congress Preps for Trade Hearings, IP Waiver Remains Troublesome

In Washington: The NAM is rallying America’s business community in our direct engagement with congressional leadership and the World Trade Organization on the need to firmly oppose an expanded IP waiver at the WTO. Read the NAM’s most recent letter.

The NAM’s recent joint letter urges the Biden administration and Congress to stand with manufacturers and workers to firmly oppose an expanded IP waiver at the WTO

This past July, the NAM’s President and CEO Jay Timmons wrote a letter to the Biden administration urging that the U.S. oppose an expanded IP waiver at the WTO, and instead focus on driving international consensus by shifting the conversation from an expanded waiver to practical, effective initiatives.