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Tai discusses administration’s trade agenda
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai is testifying about the Biden administration’s trade agenda today.
“President Biden believes trade can be a force for good that grows middle class and addresses inequality and he believes we’re at our strongest when we work with others around the world,” she says. “Over the last year, in coordination with my colleagues across the Biden Administration, we have worked to repair strained relationships and recommitted the United States to the world’s institutions. These partnerships have led to the united response to Russia’s unjustified attack on Ukraine.”
During a U.S. Senate Committee on Finance hearing, she also discussed USTR’s priorities.
“Our agenda begins with putting workers at the center of our trade policy. When we defend the rights of workers at home and abroad, labor standards go up, and we drive that race to the top,” she says. “Farmers, ranchers, fishers, and food manufacturers are key to our trade agenda, and we have delivered real, economically meaningful wins for them.”
Tai outlined some “wins” including: the 232 tariff arrangements and large civil framework that lifted retaliatory tariffs on billions of dollars of U.S. exports; the agreement with Japan that will allow the U.S. exporters to meet beef demand; regaining access for shellfish to the European Union; and opening access for U.S. pork exports to India.
She says other priorities include re-aligning the U.S.-China relationship, engaging with key trading partners and multilateral institutions, promoting confidence in trade policy through enforcement, and promoting equitable, inclusive, and durable trade policy and expanding stakeholder engagement.
