The tech world is shoring up its tax and trade lobbying as tariffs and reconciliation take center stage in Washington.
Tech companies and their trade associations have expanded their legion of lobbyists on Capitol Hill over recent weeks with hires focused on those key policy arenas, according to our review of lobbying disclosure reports.
This comes as President Donald Trump’s tariffs rock the tech world and roil markets. Meanwhile, Republicans’ push to extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts presents an opening for the tech world.
What caught our eye:
— Semiconductor and chip makers staffed up: Nvidia signed up to lobby on “trade and export control measures” amid anxiety about the Trump administration barring exports to China. Micron Technology, which is based in Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo’s home state of Idaho, brought on Bellwether Government Affairs for tax and trade lobbying.
Marvell Technology tapped Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for tax lobbying. Intel hired S-3 Group for lobbying on tax and trade, including chips issues and R&D incentives, which Republicans want to revive in the tax bill.
— Telecom giants also made moves: Verizon hired Alpine Advisors to work on tariffs and U.S. “supply chain matters affecting telecommunications equipment.”
The heightened duties have worried much of the telecom world as so many of its products, including routers, modems and antennas, are imported. T-Mobile signed Intersect Public Affairs for tax lobbying.
— The Information Technology Industry Council, which represents Big Tech, tapped Fierce Government Relations to lobby on issues including extending the 2017 tax cuts and “trade and export controls.”
— Google brought on Akin for tax lobbying, including issues related to international taxes, “foreign-derived intangible income permanency” and full, upfront deductions for R&D expenses. Those are all items expiring or already lapsed from the 2017 tax cuts.
— CGCN Group, the all-Republican lobbying shop, picked up online marketplace eBay and software company Cisco Systems for tax and trade lobbying.
— HP, a massive producer of laptops and printers, brought on Forward Global to work on tariff and trade issues. The vast majority of HP’s electronics are imported, especially from China.
