A tech industry coalition in the United States is urging President Joe Biden to take a tougher stance against Canada’s stance on digital services.
The group says the proposed digital services tax unfairly targets U.S. businesses and contradicts efforts to set international standards.
In a letter sent to Mr. Biden, the coalition takes a formal stand against two federal bills that are hotly debated in Canada: the Online Streaming Act, or Bill C-11, and the Online News Act. line, or Bill C-18.
They warn that C-11, which aims to protect Canada’s creative industries, could have the detrimental effect of increasing costs for consumers.
And they fear that the Online News Act, which would compensate Canadian media for the use of their content, violates the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
President Biden is due to meet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau later this week as part of his first visit to Canada since taking office in the White House in 2021.
“We are concerned that Canada is pursuing a number of problematic proposals and actions that could significantly limit the ability of U.S. businesses to export their goods and services and compete fairly in the Canadian market,” the letter reads.
“It is essential that the United States hold Canada accountable to its CUSMA commitments to ensure the success of this important agreement. »
The letter is signed by 10 different associations in the field of digital services, including the Computer and Communications Industry Association, the Information Technology Industry Council and the United States Chamber of Commerce.
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