Congresswoman Carol Miller and other members of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee discussed key goals for the upcoming 14th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference during a hearing held ahead of the event, which is scheduled for March 26-29 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
The hearing addressed ongoing challenges faced by U.S. technology companies abroad, as well as broader trade policy concerns. These topics are significant as they impact American businesses’ ability to compete globally and influence future trade agreements.
During the session, Miller raised concerns about discriminatory practices targeting U.S. tech firms by allies such as the European Union, Korea, and Canada. She said, “U.S. tech companies are already suffering from harmful digital policies outside the scope of the E-Commerce Moratorium. Our tech companies are already facing harmful non-tariff barriers such as exorbitant fines and fees, harmful competition policies, data localization requirements, digital service taxes, and local content requirements.”
Miller questioned Stephen Ezell, Vice President for Global Innovation Policy at the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, on whether further moratoriums could help address these issues. Ezell responded that it is important for U.S. policymakers to use both WTO mechanisms and bilateral actions to counter discriminatory digital trade practices: “Well, I think and, at the WTO, it’s imperative that our trade policy makers use both instruments as a platform to document and to speak out against these types of discriminatory digital trade practices against US companies… we need to take the lead in setting rules and making it clear at the WTO that you cannot discriminate against digital products.”
Miller also highlighted Uzbekistan’s progress toward joining the WTO and her efforts to repeal the Jackson-Vanek Amendment in order to grant Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status to Central Asian countries. She said granting PNTR would encourage American investment in critical sectors like minerals while reducing reliance on China.
Kelly Ann Shaw, Partner at Akin, responded positively when asked about Uzbekistan’s prospects: “Absolutely. For Uzbekistan, I welcome their accession to the World Trade Organization. PNTR comes with meeting the standards of WTO membership…”
Carol Miller has represented West Virginia’s 1st district in Congress since 2019 after replacing Evan Jenkins according to public records. She previously served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2006 until 2018 as reported by Ballotpedia. Miller was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1950 and currently lives in Huntington according to her official biography. She graduated from Columbia College in South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972 as noted by Congress.gov.
The discussion at this hearing reflects ongoing debates over how best to protect U.S. interests abroad while supporting international cooperation through organizations like the WTO.
