Knowledge Ecology International has posted the written answers submitted to the Senate Finance Committee by US Trade Representative Ron Kirk after his March 9 testimony.  In his responses to questions from Sen. Wyden, Kirk asserts that “ACTA can be implemented without new legislation” and that it “does not constrain Congress’ authority to change U.S. law.” Senator Carper attacked the 2007 policy deal between the Bush Administration and Congressional Democrats as one that “lowered Intellectual Property protections for pharmaceutical companies below U.S. standards contained in previous Free Trade Agreements” and asked for reassurance that  pharmaceutical industry interests will receive the “highest levels of protection” in the TPP. Senator Hatch asked Kirk to “ensure that the TPP builds off the Korus Agreement to provide the highest IP standards.”

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