WASHINGTON D.C. – In response to the introduction of the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act, National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Vice President for Global Trade Policy Tiffany Smith released the following statement:
“The ‘Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act is an excellent example of the creative approaches needed to reinforce and ensure the security of supply chains for medical goods and services for the United States and key allies and partners around the world.
“By charging the United States Trade Representative with negotiating new agreements with trusted trade partners, this legislation cements the role of trade negotiations at the heart of improving medical supply chain security and supporting U.S. innovation and job creation.
“Greater supply chain resilience depends on aggressive advocacy by the U.S. Government to eliminate tariffs and nontariff barriers that impact trade between the United States and our partners. The clear participation criteria for the Trusted Trade Partnership Agreements created by the Act ensures that these agreements benefit both the United States and our trading partners that share our values and high standards for strengthening global health security, protecting intellectual property, reducing barriers, and implementing good regulatory practices.
“Global health events, including COVID-19, illustrate the importance of collaboration among partner governments and between the public and private sectors to safely bring critical medical and pharmaceutical products across borders.
“NFTC applauds Senators Carper and Tillis for their vision and urges swift passage of this legislation so that the United States and its Trusted Partners can better prepare to meet the public health demands of our populations and rise to meet the challenges of the next global health emergency.
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About the NFTC
The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) is the premier business association advancing trade and tax policies that support access to the global marketplace. Founded in 1914, NFTC promotes an open, rules-based global economy on behalf of a diverse membership of U.S.-based businesses.
