Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) sent a letter to President Joe Biden (D) in hopes of securing American intellectual property (IP) relating to COVID-19 vaccines.
According to Rep. Buchanan’s press release, a proposal within the World Trade Organization (WTO) would waive IP protections for COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics.
The Florida congressman alongside almost 20 other Republican committee members called on the President to reject the proposal.
They argue that waiving IP protections provided by the WTO’s Trade-Related Aspects of IP Rights (TRIPS) would have “severe negative consequences for domestic manufacturing and the development of new treatments,” and would benefit nations such as Russia, China, and India.
“I’m pleased to lead this letter with my colleagues urging the Biden administration to reject this ill-advised and dangerous proposal,” said Congressman Buchanan. “Waiving critical IP protections will discourage innovation, make it more difficult to achieve the next life-saving medical breakthrough and serve as a massive giveaway to countries like China who have been stealing our IP for years.”
In the letter, the Republican representatives state that a failure to reject this proposal could have long-term effects on future U.S. administrations.
“We write to you now with great concern that your Administration has not yet taken a stand to oppose continued efforts by certain World Trade Organization (WTO) members to take advantage of the tireless work and efforts of American innovators and undermine U.S. leadership in future pandemics,” wrote the lawmakers.
They continued, “We are firmly opposed to any such waiver because it would undermine U.S. innovation and make zero contribution to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, which is purportedly the purpose of a waiver. Furthermore, it is clear to us that one of the primary beneficiaries of any waiver would be China, because the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has prioritized advancing its own biopharmaceutical sector and frequently has attempted to steal and duplicate American technological inventions to do so.
“The CCP’s blatant disregard for American workers and innovators is incredibly concerning for those who wish to preserve democracy and human rights abroad. As we continue to work on a bipartisan basis in the House of Representatives to push back on the CCP’s unfair practices, we urge you to join us in opposing this damaging proposal to extend the TRIPS waiver,” Buchanan and the U.S. legislators wrote.
Congressman Buchanan represents Florida’s 16th District.
