World : Mosbacher Vows to Tackle TV Gap

WASHINGTON —  Commerce Secretary-designate Robert A. Mosbacher said today that the United States is lagging in the global race to develop a new generation of television sets, and he promised to help U.S. manufacturers compete in this and other high-technology fields.

Mosbacher told the Senate Commerce Committee at his confirmation hearing that he is concerned that U.S. manufacturers are losing ground to foreign competitors in such areas as high-definition television. He said this area would be a high priority for him. He suggested there may be a need for new laws to waive antitrust restrictions that would allow U.S. electronic companies to work together in developing high-definition TV.