During a Washington Council of International Trade Q&A session in Seattle on Monday, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) advocated for international technology cooperation over tariffs as a strategy to address challenges with China. The Democratic senator emphasized that Washington state, being heavily dependent on trade, faces significant risks from the current administration’s tariff policies.
Cantwell proposed establishing what she termed a “technology NATO,” suggesting that leading democratic nations with advanced technology capabilities, including the United States, India, and Japan, could collaborate to establish unified standards for privacy protection and eliminate government backdoors in technology products. She argued that creating a global consensus against purchasing technology that doesn’t meet these standards would be more effective than current approaches, such as the $3 billion allocated by U.S. lawmakers for removing Huawei equipment from telecom networks.
The senator, who previously worked as an executive at RealNetworks, stressed that innovation should take precedence over tariffs in maintaining competitiveness across sectors like aerospace,
agriculture, and software. She criticized the current tariff approach, comparing it to unnecessarily burdening American industry in a competitive race.
Addressing semiconductor policy, Cantwell defended the $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which she helped champion. The legislation aims to revitalize domestic semiconductor manufacturing while investing in various technological fields including artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing. Her defense came in response to recent criticism of the act by President Trump, who called for its elimination during his recent Congressional address.
Cantwell expressed particular concern about potential semiconductor tariffs, warning that such measures could undermine recent efforts to boost domestic chip production. She emphasized the rapid pace of technological change and innovation’s crucial role in economic success, suggesting that the current administration may not fully grasp these dynamics.
The event, which was part of the WCIT Trade Summit, included several other Washington state representatives, including Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Dan Newhouse, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Emily Randall. Cantwell shared the stage with Demetrios Marantis, the National Foreign Trade Council president and former U.S. Trade Representative.
Throughout her remarks, Cantwell emphasized the historical
significance of trade relations with China, noting that such connections predate the Lewis and Clark expedition. Rather than suggesting a cessation of trade, she advocated for developing more strategic advantages through alliance-building and innovation.
The senator highlighted the particular vulnerability of Washington state to economic impacts from current trade policies, calling for a more vocal opposition to approaches that ignore the benefits of international alliances. She emphasized that in today’s rapidly evolving information economy, building strong international
partnerships is more critical than ever.
Cantwell’s stance reflects a broader debate about how best to maintain U.S. technological leadership while addressing challenges posed by China. Her proposed “technology NATO” represents an alternative approach to current policies, emphasizing international cooperation and standard-setting over unilateral trade restrictions. The senator’s position aligns with Washington state’s established role as a hub for international trade and technological innovation, suggesting that maintaining these advantages requires careful consideration of how trade and technology policies intersect with global partnerships.