SAN JOSE, Calif. -- February 5, 1998 -- Cisco Systems Inc. today applauded the successful effort of the U.S. Trade Representative to convince the World Trade Organization that reclassified European tariffs on computer-networking products violate WTO obligations.
The office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Charlene Barshefsky, announced earlier today that a panel set up by the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body had concluded that decisions by the European Union, United Kingdom and Ireland customs officials to reclassify certain categories of data-networking equipment violated agreements made during the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations in 1994. (See press release available at http://www.ustr.gov)
Cisco, the world's largest supplier of computer-networking equipment, joined other networking providers in supporting the USTR's efforts.
"The Internet Generation is characterized not only by the free exchange of information, but also by free trade," said John T. Chambers, President and CEO of Cisco Systems. "Artificially high trade barriers in information technology inhibit the development of people, companies and countries to their full potential. "We congratulate Ambassador Barshefsky and her team of negotiators on this landmark victory in support of the US networking industry. The WTO win is a testament to her commitment to press hard on issues important to the high-tech industry."
Chambers, who is a member of the President's Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, added, "This was truly a cooperative effort by industry and government to support the principles of the WTO dispute resolution process, and is another example of how companies in the computer-networking industry - while very competitive in their daily operations - rise above selfishness and cooperate on industry-wide issues with global impact."
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