US trade chief Katherine Tai talks China, WTO, and climate in first calls with counterparts
- Biden’s top trade negotiator emphasised the need to work together to address concerns about forced labour and other China-related issues
- In calls with trade ministers and the WTO director general, Tai also vowed to rebuild alliances with key partners
New US Trade Representative Katherine Tai pledged to rebuild alliances and actively engage on international trade on Monday in her first calls as the top US trade negotiator with key partners and the World Trade Organization.
Starting her first full week on the job, Tai told WTO director general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala that the Biden administration was committed to ensuring widespread access to Covid-19 vaccines, which the new WTO chief has made a priority.
“The two exchanged views on the future of trade and their shared commitment to economic empowerment through a worker-centred trade policy,” USTR said in a statement, adding that they also discussed reform of the organisation and its coming 12th Ministerial Meeting.
Tai, who was sworn in on Thursday, emphasised in calls to trade ministers the need to address climate change and racial equity in trade, and to work together to address concerns about forced labour and other issues related to China, her office said in a statement.
US allies have been anxious to start talks with Tai after years of tariffs and tensions during the previous administration of former president Donald Trump. The White House has said it will put new trade deals on hold until it completes a review of all of Trump’s trade policies.
Tai agreed with Canada’s trade minister, Mary Ng, to pursue a ministerial-level meeting of the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement’s (USMCA) governing body, including Mexico’s trade minister, the USTR office said.