USTR punts decision on expanding IP waiver

The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) yesterday announced support for extending the deadline to decide whether the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) intellectual property (IP) waiver should be expanded to COVID treatments and diagnostics -a sign the 0USTR’s position could be shifting.

The USTR also announced that it will ask the US International Trade Commission (USITC) to launch an investigation into COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics and provide information on market dynamics to help inform the discussion around supply and demand, price points, the relationship between testing and treating, and production and access.

“Over the past five months, USTR officials held robust and constructive consultations with Congress, government experts, a wide range of stakeholders, multilateral institutions, and WTO Members,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “Real questions remain on a range of issues, and the additional time, coupled with information from the USITC, will help the world make a more informed decision on whether extending the Ministerial Decision to COVID-19 therapeutics and diagnostics would result in increased access to those products. Transparency is critical and USTR will continue to consult with Congress, stakeholders, and others as we continue working to end the pandemic and support the global economic recovery,” she noted.