US Tech Companies Push Support for a Technology Sector Presidential Platform
As the U.S. presidential elections heat up and campaigns for both leading nominees of political parties are ongoing, 13 companies of the tech industry in the U.S. are pushing for a Technology Sector Presidential Platform, which includes policy recommendations on strengthening cybersecurity, enhancing data privacy, pursuing an active trade agenda, among others.
According to Tech Times, the group sent an open letter to both presidential candidates last May 4, which outlined several policy recommendations that covered issues regarding the development of American skill and talent pool in the 21st century, fostering a business climate that "rewards risk" and "promotes innovation," creating a "fair and open global market for goods and services" and continuing to provide cutting-edge infrastructure that's entreprenuer-friendly.
The letter was signed by representatives of the 13 companies that include: BSA/The Software Alliance, the Consumer Technology Association, the Information Technology Industry Council, Allied for Startups, Internet Association, Computer & Communications Industry Association, Computing Technology Industry Association, Semiconductor Industry Association, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Software & Information Industry Association, Technology CEO Council, Telecommunications Industry Association and TechNet.
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According to Reuters, one of the policy recommendations that the industry is pushing for is support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal as well as hiring technology workers from other countries.
The Republican and Democratic presidential candidates, however, have different views about the TPP. Trump, for example, earlier declared that the U.S. should impose tougher immigration policies, which may affect the hiring of foreign workers. He also criticized any form of international trade agreements, which is what the TPP is.
Clinton, on the other hand, has not committed to renegotiating the TPP, which is still up for congressional approval. She however thinks that it would be good to increase the number of visas issued for high-skilled or high-tech workers.
