In an update to its Information Technology Agreement, the World Trade Organization began the process of eliminating tariffs on hundreds of technology products, resulting in the organization’s first tariff elimination agreement in almost 20 years.
In this year of strong anti-trade sentiments, U.S. politicians and citizens should take note that good trade deals are possible.



The Information Technology Agreement was originally signed in 1996 with 29 participants. More countries followed, however, as the number of information technology products skyrocketed in the following years.
The agreement’s now 81 members are responsible for about 97 percent of trade for products like calculators and computers. All members are getting a great deal as the original agreement “requires each participant to eliminate and bind customs duties at zero for all products specified in the agreement.” Consumers will see improvements too. Trade deals like this help to lower prices for average shoppers and increase export opportunities for domestic manufacturers.