US priority on protecting trade
American officials yesterday welcomed a new study showing the importance of innovation to US economic growth and promised vigorous action to curb the huge international trade in fake and pirated goods. “The United States has long been acknowledged as a global leader in fostering innovation and improvements in technology,” deputy US trade representative Miriam Sapiro. “However, this competitive advantage is eroded – along with the jobs it creates – in an environment where piracy, counterfeiting and other kinds of intellectual property theft continue unchecked,” Sapiro added.