ETA Voices Opposition to Tariffs on Cash Registers and Point-of-Sale Devices in Testimony Before the United States Trade Representative

Washington, D.C. – June 19, 2019 – The following can be attributed to Amy Zirkle, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Electronic Transactions Association (ETA), ahead of her testimony on Wednesday at the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on the administration’s proposed tariffs on Chinese imports, which include cash registers and point-of-sale devices:

“The proposed tariffs would increase the cost of cash registers and point of sale devices and have a negative effect on U.S. businesses and consumers, while having no impact on China. Protecting American intellectual property abroad is an important goal, and ETA supports the Administration’s diplomatic efforts to curb harmful abuses. The proposed tariffs may not be the most effective way to achieve these goals.

ETA members power the U.S. economy by providing secure and affordable payments technology. These devices enable commerce and increased tariffs would significantly harm small-and-medium-size businesses that cannot absorb these cost increases.

The Committee has agreed that an exemption was warranted twice before, and this was the right call.  ETA strongly believes that they should do so again, because point-of-sale products are critically important to the U.S. economy.”

ETA filed comments with the Office of the United States Trade Representative on the proposed tariffs. ETA members’ reach extends beyond the borders of the United States to every corner of the globe. In a modern, globalized economy, foreign policy decisions can shape the American economy.

About ETA

The Electronic Transactions Association (ETA) is the global trade association representing more than 500 payments and technology companies. ETA members make commerce possible by processing more than $6 trillion in purchases in the U.S. and deploying payments innovation to merchants and consumers.

ETA Press Contact:

[email protected]

202-677-7415