For more detailed information on our meetings, members can read the Chairwoman’s report on the AeA website at www.aeanet.org/Europe2008.

AeA delegation with Ambassadors Gray and Stapleton

James Lovegrove, Managing Director, AeA Europe; Chris Hansen, President & CEO, AeA; Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Information Society and Media; Deirdre Hanford, SVP, Global Technical Services, Synopsys, and AeA Chairwoman of the Board (L-R)

Deirdre Hanford, SVP, Global Technical Services, Synopsys, and AeA Chairwoman of the Board; and James Lovegrove, Managing Director, AeA Europe, in front of the Eiffel Tower (L-R)

April 8, 2008 - International Environmental Committee Meeting - Santa Clara, California
The international Environmental Committee provided a link between the industry and government regulating agencies so that member companies may stay well informed of all new policies and procedures concerning their business. The committee meets semi-annually. On this occasion topics will include: China Update (RoHS Enforcement, Catalogue discussions, Standards development, China WEEE, China Energy Efficiency) European Regulation Overview (RoHS, WEEE, REACH, EuP) Product Energy Efficiency (EuP, Energy Star, China Energy Efficiency) Global Alignment of Restricted Substances Domestic Environment Activities (State overview and California specific).

March 20, 2008 - Fourth Annual Trade Compliance Program
AeA and SEMI hosted our 4th annual trade compliance program titled, "The Four Pillars of Global Compliance for Chinese Importers and Exporters" in Shanghai, China on March 20, 2008. The event, held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, was an excellent opportunity for Chinese companies, U.S. subsidiaries, suppliers, customers, and business partners to learn about global trade compliance.

March 12 and 13, 2008 - Customs and Export Control Quarterly Committee Meeting
Greg Shea, President and Managing Director, US Information Technology Office (USITO) spoke about China's Trusted Computing Module Standards update. Kevin Delli-Colli, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement, Bureau of Industry and Security, DOC gave an Export Enforcement Update. Other topics covered included: Best Practices, China, Encryption, High Performance Computers, Regulations and Legislation, Technology Transfer, Record Keeping Requirements, NAFTA, Trade Agreements, industry perspective, Mutual Recognition Efforts, C-TPAT and Security Programs. For more information please see our website. Click here for the link to the export controls meeting, and click here for the link to the customs controls meeting.

March 11,  2008 - United States Information Technology Office (USITO) Board meeting
AeA is a parent association of USITO and sits on the board. USITO represents the US-based technology industry in China as an independent, policy-based NGO. USITO established its main office in Beijing in 1995. Since 1995 USITO has grown to be a leading provider of information concerning changes in Chinese policies as well as an advocate on behalf of member companies' interests. This March, the board meeting discussed regulatory issues in China.                                               

March 2008 - AeA Leads Opposition to HR275, The Global Online Freedom Act of 2007
A number of AeA members have expressed concerns over provisions that could prevent US business from operating in China and other countries.  AeA is one of the leading associations opposing the legislation in its current version, as it would drastically restrict hi-tech companies operating in countries considered to be Internet-restricting.  AeA has met with the House Foreign Affairs Committee, House Energy and Commerce Committee, and the Speaker’s office, and was one of the associations that signed on to a letter that was sent to the U.S. House of Representatives expressing industry concerns over this legislation. The letter is available on the AeA website.   AeA will continue to lead industry efforts to oppose this bill in its current form and we will keep our members informed of the latest developments.

February 27, 2008 - AeA Meets With Chinese Ministry of Information Industry Officials to Discuss China RoHS Developments
AeA representatives, member companies, and upper-level Chinese MII officials met in Beijing to share information concerning recent developments in the "Management Methods for Controlling Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products Regulation" program, also known as "China RoHS". MII officials updated our representatives and member companies on what is currently happening inside the MII concerning RoHS. Our representatives and member companies were given time to share their opinions and input on the China RoHS program. For more information on AeA's involvement with China RoHS please visit our website.

February 21, 2008 - AeA Board of Directors Sets International Policy for 2008
At the February meeting of the AeA Board of Directors, the directors approved five top international priorities for the organization in 2008.  While we will continue to work on a wide range of international concerns of interest to members, the Board identified the following issues as those that are most likely to impact members this year and on which AeA could play a key role.

• Environment – seek favorable outcomes in China RoHS catalogue and certification regulations; seek EU policies supporting development of energy efficiency technologies
• Export Controls – reform U.S. encryption and deemed export regulations
• China – engage China on its restrictive policies related to indigenous innovation, IPR, standards, and government procurement
• Free Trade Agreements – get Congressional approval of agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama
• Customs – maintain coverage for products under Information Technology Agreement

Chris Hansen, President & CEO, AeA, thanks
guest speaker Rep. David Dreier (R-CA)

December 5, 2007- Customs and Export Controls Committee
At the December meeting of the Custom and Export controls committee guests informed member companies on recent developments in fields including: Best Practices, Encryption, China, Export Controls, High Performance Computers, Legislation. The meeting lasted from 12:00pm-3:00pm. To learn more about the customs and export controls committee please visit our exports committee, and our customs committee sites.

November 8, 2007 - AeA Efforts Help Build Support for 285-132 House Vote Approving Peru FTA
With trade being one of AeA’s top policy priorities in 2007, our international department met with more than 25 Congressional offices over the last few months to express our support for passing FTAs with Peru, Colombia, Panama, and Korea. These efforts paid off on November 8 when the House approved the Peru FTA by a vote of 285-132. With 109 Democrats supporting the bill, it was clear that the work by Chairman Rangel to rebuild bipartisan support for trade has been effective. In addition to the one-on-one meetings, Rob Mulligan, AeA Senior Vice President International, has also participated as a speaker on panels before the House and Senate staff outlining the benefits of these agreements for the high-tech industry. In addition, AeA has been actively involved in Latin America and Korea FTA coalitions supporting the passage of the agreements through hill meetings and signing on to the coalition letters. AeA’s research papers on high-tech trade with the FTA countries have been widely circulated in support of industry lobbying efforts.

October 18, 2007 - AeA Organizes Global Trade Compliance Conference in Austin, TX
Over 60 global trade compliance professionals from Austin and Dallas, TX and other high tech regions of the U.S. attended AeA’s best practices conference hosted by Freescale Semiconductor.  Ken Montgomery, AeA’s Director of International Trade Regulation moderated the program which included panels covering trade management systems, customs compliance, export compliance and China trade compliance.  Speakers included industry leaders from Texas Instruments, Alston & Bird, Hewlett-Packard, Freescale Semiconductor, Braumiller, Schulz & Company, Dell, National Semiconductor Corporation, Rockwell Automation, and Ernst & Young. Three question and answer sessions were moderated where attendees were able to ask topic and company specific compliance questions.  The complete program agenda can be viewed on the AeA website.

September 28, 2007 - Tim Reif, Staff Director for Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, Outlines Congressional Plans on Trade Issues
The Staff Director for the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, Tim Reif, sat down with the AeA International Policy Advisory Committee (IPAC) to discuss the expected action by Congress on trade during the remainder of 2007 and beginning of 2008. He expected a Trade Adjustment Assistance bill to be introduced shortly that would be taken up by the House before moving to consideration of the Peru FTA. He had concerns about the prospects for approval of the Colombia and Korea FTAs. On China, he anticipated some tough legislation from the Committee in the two weeks following our meeting. Looking beyond the immediate focus on the FTAs, Tim wants to look at the challenges of globalization and how we can find productive resolutions that will rebuild support for trade agreements. He invited members to contact him with any suggestions. Minutes from the meeting are available on the AeA website.

September 19, 2007 - AeA Customs and Export Controls Committees Hear From USTR and BIS at Quarterly Meeting Hosted by Symantec
Anne Marie Griffin, Microsoft Corporation and west coast chair of the AeA Customs Committee, facilitated the quarterly meeting on September 19, 2007. Jason Bernstein, Director of Tariff Affairs, USTR updated the meeting participants on the US effort to investigate products being excluded from WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) duty free coverage. AeA member products affected include set-top boxes, LCD displays, multi-function units, network analyzers and ink-jet printer cartridges. Elonye Wilkins, Import Specialist, and Allison Acosta, Import Specialist, U.S. Customs and Border Protection gave a presentation on “Avoiding Classification Issues for High Technology Products.” Attendees also received updates from the WTO, WCO, Trade Agreements and Best Practices subcommittee working groups. Click Here for the meeting minutes..

September 18, 2007 - AeA Hosts Global Trade Compliance: Best Practices Conference At Google
On Tuesday, September 18, 2007, sponsored by Export Strategies and Google, the AeA Silicon Valley/Northern CA Council hosted the first-ever AeA Global Trade Compliance: Best Practices Conference.  This full-day event featuring a customs, export, and China compliance panel sold-out in the second week of August.

In addition to industry peers, attendees also heard from government speakers from both the customs and export perspectives.  They also heard information on the legal aspects of Global Trade Compliance from Berliner, Corcoran, & Rowe, and had opportunity to ask questions of all speakers and panels.

September 17, 2007 - AeA Europe Releases Report on High-Tech Contributions to Energy Efficiency
A landmark study released on 17 September 2007 by AeA Europe calls for urgent action, if ICT and advanced technologies are to reach their full potential in helping meet the EU’s 2020 climate change targets.  The report – ‘Advanced Electronics and Information Technologies: The Innovation-Led Climate Change Solution’ – was produced by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency, alongside AeA Europe, and with input from many leading high-tech companies.

August 2, 2007 - AeA Program Compares and Contrasts U.S. and China Approaches to Innovation and Competitiveness Policies
On August 2, 2007, AeA hosted a program in the David Packard Conference Center for over 50 participants from industry and government that analyzed the policy approaches taken by the U.S. and China towards promoting innovation and competitiveness. William T. Archey, AeA President and CEO, kicked off the program with a discussion of AeA’s efforts over the last three years to alert U.S. policymakers to the need for policy changes in the areas of math and science education, research, and highly-skilled foreign workers if the U.S. wants to maintain its global competitive leadership. Greg Shea, President and Managing Director of the U.S. Information Technology Office in Beijing (USITO), expanded on the Chinese policy approach which includes a 15-year plan to have over 2.5 percent of GDP invested in R&D, reliance on foreign technology below 30 percent, and to be among the top five countries with worldwide patents.

July 12, 2007 - AeA Co-Chairs July U.S.-India ICT Dialogue IT Subgroup Meeting
AeA participated in the U.S.-India ICT Dialogue which is an initiative organized under the umbrella of the U.S.-India Economic Dialogue by the U.S. Department of State. AeA co-chaired the Information Technology Subgroup, which was one of the three industry subgroups meeting that day to discuss issues related to the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Over 120 representatives from U.S. and Indian industry and government attended this meeting, which continued on the following day to address the recommendations concluded by the industry. Participating government agencies included U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Commerce, USTR, FCC and Indian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Indian Ministry of Media and Broadcasting and others.

October 26, 2006 - AeA Brings Authors of Chinese “RoHS” Regulation to U.S.
AeA brought 11 authors of the China "RoHS" regulations to 3 different cities to address member companies and educate them on how to comply with the new environmental regulations concerning trade restricting the use of certain substances (including lead) in electronic products and components beginning March 1, 2007...more.

The Chinese MII Delegation including WANG Bingke, Deputy Director General, Department of Economy and Economic Operations, MII; AeA Executives William T. Archey (President & CEO) & Rob Mulligan (Sr. VP International); and AeA Member Company Representatives at the AeA DC Headquarters.

International Quarterly Update - AeA provides an extensive summary of our international activities over each individual quarter

Peru FTA - U.S. high-tech exports to Peru totaled $640 million in 2006, up 49 percent from 2005. The United States has a high-tech trade surplus of $636 million with Peru in 2006.Enacting the Peruvian Free Trade Agreement would give U.S. companies a competitive edge and help our South American neighbor embrace free markets. Failure to pass the Agreement cedes our competitive advantage to other countries that will pursue their own trade deals in this strategic region.

Colombia FTA - U.S. high-tech trade with Central and South America is strong, as data in this report illustrate. To expand this trade, the United States should continue to pursue all bilateral and multilateral means to open markets to U.S. goods and services in this strategically vital region.

South Korea FTA - South Korea is one of the world’s largest markets for high-tech goods from the United States.  Passing the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement will improve access and increase intellectual property protection for American high-tech products and services.

Like It or Not, China and the U.S. Are Intricately Linked
China is an enormously important economic partner for the U.S. in terms of both trade and investment, particularly in the high-tech sector. This report presents statistics quantifying this interdependence.

Trade Trends Threatening Tech
The global trade environment is showing signs of backlash as policy trends evidence more restrictive attitudes on liberalized trade. The U.S. high-tech industry, more than many sectors, is dependent upon an open trading system that enables companies to access and compete in all countries around the world. The global competitiveness and leadership position of many U.S. high-tech companies could be undermined by a confluence of factors that are chipping
away at support for open international trade. - September 2005

China IT Weekly Briefing - The US Information Technology Office (USITO) weekly briefing highlights policy developments of interest to the U.S. high-tech sector.

AeA Europe in a Page - Monthly update of policy and political developments of importance to the US high-tech sector including WEEE & RoHS implementation.