Thread by @LLopezGonzalez

[THREAD] Yesterday, US Trade Rep. Ambassador Katherine Tai issued a statement: Biden administration will support waiving intellectual property protections on #COVID19 vaccines. Here’s why it’s historic but may not go far enough. #COVID19vaccines #TRIPSwaiver

2/7 In Oct, India & South Africa proposed WTO waive intellectual property protections related to, for instance, patents & manufacturing on #COVID19 vaccines, medicines, tests etc, to contain pandemic. This #TRIPSwaiver would apply for a limited time. 100+ countries support this

3/7 Many Global North vaccine-producing countries, including US & Canada, have not historically supported #TRIPSwaiver. Both countries have however been happy to propose curtailing patent protection at home to protect public health. bit.ly/VaccineNationa…

4/7 The US statement supporting waiving IP protections on #COVID19 vaccines has been welcomed by many activists but falls short of supporting the South Africa-India #TRIPSwaiver in its entirety. US has not mentioned supporting lifting IP protections on medicines, tests etc.

5/7 The WTO will meet again on the #TRIPSwaiver in two months. Meanwhile, S. Africa & India are redrafting waiver to include a specific timeframe in response to what they say is the latest round of questions from opposing nations. They allege that these are delay tactics.

6/7 Experts on both sides of #TRIPSwaiver debate agree: Removing IP barriers alone will not lead to more #COVID19 vaccines. But arguments there is no extra capacity to produce are losing ground as producers in Canada & Bangladesh say they are ready bit.ly/mRNAinAfrica

7/7 India estimates that untapped Covid-19 vaccine manufacturing could contribute an extra 1-billion doses annually. For more analysis on the #TRIPSwaiver , don’t miss this week’s @thecontinent_ #COVID19sa