WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs Myron Brilliant issued the following statement as the debate continues in Europe over the European Commission’s recently announced export authorization mechanism for COVID-19 vaccines and inputs:
“The U.S. Chamber urges the European Commission to amend its recently announced export authorization mechanism. Vaccines are produced using global production networks with inputs from diverse locations. Export restrictions on vaccines could easily trigger copycat restrictions on the export of critical inputs, which could bring production to a halt. The complex logistics behind the distribution of vaccines, including ultra-cold requirements in some cases, cannot deliver if export restrictions delay shipments even briefly.
“The European Commission should instead make the issuance of such authorizations automatic. Such an approach would still achieve the European Union’s goal of enhancing transparency and helping officials to understand where shipments of vaccines and inputs are directed without adding to delay and spoilage. Industry will do everything possible to expedite the production and delivery of vaccines.”
