US-China relations: Washington wants reform, not about ‘stopping trade or trade divorce’
- US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the Biden administration’s policy was focused on ‘realignment in the global economy’
- Tai’s remarks follow a congressional hearing last week where she said discussions with China have become ‘unduly difficult’
The United States is seeking to realign its commercial ties with China rather than seek a “divorce” between the world’s biggest economies, trade chief Katherine Tai said on Tuesday.
Asked in an interview whether US-China tensions could lead to decoupling, Tai said the Biden administration’s policy was focused instead on “realignment in the global economy.”
That includes addressing the lack of visibility, accountability and diversity in supply chains that has led to disruptions in recent years, she told Bloomberg Television’s Haslinda Amin in Singapore.
I would focus really on the kinds of changes that we’re trying to bring, which are really not about stopping trade or trade divorce
“I would focus really on the kinds of changes that we’re trying to bring, which are really not about stopping trade or trade divorce,” Tai said. “They’re really about bringing reform and a more strategic approach to trade.”
She told lawmakers it was time to forget about changing China’s behaviour and instead focus on rebuilding the US industrial manufacturing base and making domestic investments to counter the Asian nation.
In the interview, Tai gave few details about specifics on dealing with China, simply saying her office was seeking to “create incentives for our economic actors to ensure that this relationship is one that feels balanced, that is fair.”