 Incoming USTR Lays Out Vision for Trade Policy |
Source |
American Shipper |
Post Date |
01/25/2021 |
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China, USMCA, and workers were among the topics in a recent address on the incoming administration¡¯s trade policy by Katherine Tai, who has been nominated by President-elect Joe Biden to serve as the next U.S. trade representative.
Tai said Biden¡¯s vision is ¡°to implement a worker-centered trade policy,¡± meaning it must benefit ¡°regular Americans, communities, and workers.¡± Considering that the U.S. has typically pursued trade liberalization but that this approach has often been viewed as benefiting corporations instead of their workers, Tai¡¯s comments could signal a greater potential for protectionist measures. ¡°Americans don¡¯t just benefit from lower prices and greater ion in shops and markets¡± that come from more trade, she said. ¡°Americans also benefit from having good jobs, with good wages.¡± As a result, Tai said she would ¡°pursue trade policies that place the humanity and dignity of every American ¡ª and of all people ¡ª at the heart of our approach.¡±
Tai said an ongoing priority will be addressing ¡°stiffening competition from a growing and ambitious China ¡ whose economy is directed by central planners who are not subject to the pressures of political pluralism, democratic elections, or popular opinion.¡± However, she gave no indication as to specific issues she ints to focus on or particular measures that may be employed.
The U.S. will also ¡°continue to t to¡± the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Tai said. Asserting that NAFTA ¡°started the erosion of U.S. political support for trade,¡± she praised its replacement for ¡°incorporating groundbreaking labor and environmental provisions, including enforcement mechanisms that address longstanding wounds and grievances suffered by regular working people.¡± Tai helped secure bipartisan congressional approval of USMCA, which she said was ¡°made possible in partnership with the business, labor, and civil society communities.¡± She noted that USTR will seek to ¡°nurture what is working¡± with the agreement but suggested that it may also pursue enforcement measures ¡°when parties f and stray fr
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