In the week after her one-year anniversary since being sworn in as United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Tai is continuing to advance the Administration’s new approach to trade policy and deliver wins for everyday Americans.
This week, Ambassador Tai:
- Hosted United Kingdom Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan in Baltimore for the U.S./UK Dialogues on the Future of Atlantic Trade;
- Along with the Commerce Department, reached a deal that will allow the tariff-free importation of UK steel and aluminum into the United States, while also lifting retaliatory tariffs on over $500 million worth of U.S. exports to the UK;
- Reinstated certain previously granted and extended product exclusions in the China Section 301 investigation;
- Reached a major agreement with Japan that will allow American producers to meet Japan’s growing demand for high-quality U.S. beef.
Read what they are saying about Ambassador Tai’s busy week:
U.S./UK Dialogues on the Future of Atlantic Trade
Politico: Tai pledges an "open mind" as U.S., U.K. begin exploratory trade dialogue
“Tai outlined a number of priorities for talks with the U.K. in line with the Biden administration’s “worker-centric approach” to trade policy. Those include ‘building strong, durable supply chains that can withstand future global shocks,’ as well as strengthening protections for workers and the environment and promoting gender and racial equality, she said.”
Inside Trade: Tai, Trevelyan tout focus on workers in new trade talks
“Trevelyan and Tai in their respective remarks each noted shared goals of promoting ‘innovation’ and ‘inclusive’ economic growth in both countries. Tai said the officials during the two days of meetings would ‘seek to identify concrete steps to advance the U.S.-UK trade relationship’ and meet with stakeholders and local leaders “discuss how our bilateral trade dynamic can better address 21st century challenges and facilitate collaboration on our shared priorities.’”
House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal [D-MA]: “I hope that we can increase our efforts bilaterally and multilaterally to make sure that our trading partners are living up to their commitments so that we can develop a more level playing field for our workers, our farmers and our businesses.” [Article, 03/24/2022]
Senator Chris Van Hollen [D-MD]: “The @portofbalt connects MD to opportunities across the globe. It was great to join @AmbassadorTai & @annietrev to discuss how we’re working to strengthen trade relationships between the US & UK to create good-paying jobs here in MD and bring down costs for Americans.” [Tweet, 03/21/2022]
Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger [D-MD]: “Honored to welcome @AmbassadorTai + @annietrev to the @portofbalt – the greatest port in America! The Port is thriving + things are only getting better thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure package. Excited to see US-UK economic + strategic ties continue to grow.” [Tweet, 03/21/2022]
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott: “The future of Transatlantic Trade is coming to Baltimore. Thank you @AmbassadorTai and @annietrev for choosing to host the International Trade Summit here in our great city. Looking forward to continuing to strengthen our ??- ?? relationship!” [Tweet, 03/21/2022]
AFL-CIO: “The AFL-CIO was excited to participate in today's US-UK trade forum in Baltimore with @The_TUC. @AmbassadorTai continues to show us what a worker centered trade policy looks like. #1u” [Tweet, 03/21/2022]
Marjorie Chorlins, Executive Director, U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-UK Business Council: “We must take advantage of these dialogues to advance a vision based on our shared values of democracy, free enterprise, freedom of expression, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. The Council looks forward to active engagement with both governments to ensure that these new dialogues are successful, including resolution of outstanding trade disputes and adoption of concrete measures to expand our commercial ties.” [Statement, 03/21/2022]
Jake Colvin, President, National Foreign Trade Council: “This week business and labor had a unique opportunity to come together in Baltimore to discuss the future of transatlantic trade with the U.S. and UK Governments. It's critical that our governments build on this initial dialogue to create commercially-meaningful outcomes to benefit American businesses and workers… Thank you to U.S. Ambassador Katherine Tai and UK Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP for their initiative and leadership, and to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and Department for International Trade (DIT) for all of the work that was put into shaping the diverse discussions. The National Foreign Trade Council looks forward to working with you to build on this initial step.” [Statement, 03/22/2022]
William Doyle, Executive Director, Maryland Port Administration: “What a great morning! Thank you for visiting the Port of Baltimore USTR Ambassador Tai @AmbassadorTai and UK Sec. Int. Trade Trevelyan @annietrev! You’re always welcome in the Port of Charm City!” [Tweet, 03/21/2022]
U.S/UK 232 Tariff Agreement
“Biden administration officials, particularly Katherine Tai, the United States trade representative, and Gina Raimondo, the commerce secretary, have worked over the last year to scale back many of those barriers, believing that the United States should focus its energy on countering economic rivals, not fighting with allies. During two days of meetings in Baltimore that kicked off a new trade dialogue, American and British officials pledged to advance policies that would deepen their partnership and would benefit workers and the environment.”
The deal also requires any U.K. steel company owned by a Chinese entity to audit their financial records to assess possible influence from China, and share the results with the U.S., according to a statement from Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. Tuesday’s agreement follows similar deals the Biden administration signed with the European Union and Japan in recent months as part of its effort to mend trade ties with friendly nations strained during former President Donald Trump’s trade war.”
Politico: U.S., U.K. reach deal to end steel tariff dispute
“The announcement came while U.K. Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan was in the United States for high-level talks with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai on the future of the U.S.-U.K. economic relationship. Trevelyan and Tai met in Baltimore on Monday and Tuesday.”
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden [D-OR]: “President Biden, Ambassador Tai, and Secretary Raimondo are doing the right thing - they are working with America’s allies to counter real threats to global order and ensure American manufacturing remains strong. Resolving the steel and aluminum tariffs with the U.K. will strengthen America's hand against China and Russia and help ensure American workers are competing on a level playing field.” [Statement, 03/22/2022]
House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth [D-KY]: “I’m thrilled to see an agreement reached by the Biden administration to lift the retaliatory tariffs on bourbon — allowing America’s only native spirit to be exported tariff-free to our friends in the United Kingdom…I thank @POTUS, @CommerceGov’s @SecRaimondo, and @USTradeRep @AmbassadorTai for getting this done. Good American jobs depend on it.” [Tweet, 03/22/2022]
Rep. Ron Kind [D-WI]: “I commend President Biden, Secretary Raimondo, and Ambassador Tai for taking this important step towards transitioning away from damaging Trump-era tariffs…Removing these tariffs on one of our closest allies and avoiding retaliatory tariffs will help lower costs for all Wisconsinites and provide critical relief to our businesses and manufacturers.” [Statement, 03/22/2022]
New Democrat Coalition: “#NewDem Trade Leaders applaud the new US-UK agreement to remove harmful Trump-era Section 232 Tariffs on Britain. Removing these tariffs will help domestic manufacturers, lower prices for Americans consumers and strengthen US leadership in a critical time.” [Tweet, 03/22/2022]
Jonathan Josephs, BBC: “’We can no longer just focus on encouraging, wheedling, demanding that #China reform its economy. @AmbassadorTai tells @SamiraHussain15 the #USA needs to do more to defend its #trade interests as it cuts a #tariffs deal with the #UK.’” [Tweet, 03/23/2022]
Chris Swonger, President and CEO, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States: “From day one, the Biden administration made it a priority to reset the relationship with the EU and UK, two of our most important allies and trading partners. The successful resolution of two separate and complicated trade disputes that saddled distilled spirits on both sides of the Atlantic with tariffs could not have been possible without the strong leadership of Secretary Raimondo, Ambassador Tai and their teams at the Departments of Commerce and Office of the United States Trade Representative.” [Statement, 03/22/2022]
National Marine Manufacturers Association: “@AmbassadorTai @annietrev: Thank you for your leadership in reaching a deal to remove the burdensome retaliatory tariffs imposed on American-made boats. Marine manufacturers are no longer saddled with a disadvantage and look forward to resuming exports to the U.K. with no additional tariff.” [Tweet, 03/23/2022]
Section 301 Exclusions
Bloomberg: U.S. Restores Waivers for Some Chinese Goods Hit by Tariffs
“The U.S. Trade Representative’s office is reinstating the exclusions for 352 items, it said in a statement on Wednesday. The reinstated exclusions include a wide variety of machinery, manufacturing components and consumer goods, ranging from television-screen parts to backpacks, bicycles and pillows.”
Inside Trade: USTR announces slate of reinstated Section 301 exclusions
“The Trump administration launched the exclusion process following its imposition of tariffs on about $370 billion-worth of Chinese goods via Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. However, after the initial exclusion process wrapped up, the administration did not continue granting exclusions despite calls from lawmakers and businesses to do so. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai has said the Biden administration supports the exclusion process as a part of its broader approach to China.”
South China Morning Post: US reinstates tariff exemptions on some Chinese products
“US President Joe Biden’s administration will reinstate tariff exemptions on more than 350 Chinese imports, his trade office said on Wednesday, accounting for about two-thirds of waivers that had expired at the end of 2020. News of the exemptions, which will apply retroactively from last October until the end of 2022, came after the conclusion of a public comment period that the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) office announced last October.”
Audrey LaForest, Automotive News: “.@USTradeRep on Wednesday said it has restored 352 of the 549 eligible exclusions, including some auto parts, from Section 301 tariffs levied by the Trump administration on more than $350 billion worth of Chinese goods bit.ly/3qyA7um” [Tweet, 03/24/2022]
U.S./Japan Agreement on Beef Products
Reuters: U.S. and Japan strike deal on beef tariffs
“The agreement, reached after a year of consultations between the two countries, will come into force once the text is finalized and each country has completed a few remaining steps, a senior U.S. official said. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack welcomed the agreement and said it would allow for greater market-based growth in U.S. beef exports to Japan.”
Agri-Pulse: US, Japan reach deal to lessen threat of beef trade interruptions
“The U.S. and Japan have reached a deal that would make it less likely that the Japanese safeguard trigger will boost tariffs on U.S. beef, as it has done in the past… ‘This new three-trigger safeguard mechanism will allow American farmers and ranchers to meet Japan’s growing demand for high-quality U.S. beef and will also reduce the probability that Japan will impose higher tariffs on U.S. beef in the future,’ a senior USTR official told reporters.”
Rep. Adrian Smith [R-NE]: “This is good news for #NE03 beef producers and Japanese consumers that value high-quality U.S. beef. Japan is an integral trade partner, and this agreement will strengthen our important relationship. I look forward to reviewing the terms in detail.” [Tweet, 03/25/2022]
Dan Halstrom, President and CEO, US Meat Export Federation: “USMEF greatly appreciates the efforts of USTR and USDA to adjust Japan’s safeguard on U.S. beef. The U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement was a tremendous breakthrough for the U.S. meat industry, including the significant reduction in Japan’s tariffs on U.S. beef, but the playing field has not been entirely level due to this safeguard. The changes announced today reduce the potential impact of the safeguard and make it less disruptive for U.S. exporters and their customers in Japan.” [Statement, 03/24/2022]
Kent Bacus, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Senior Director of International Trade and Market Access: “…NCBA is encouraged that today’s announcement means we are taking necessary steps to secure long-term solutions that enable American cattle producers to continue providing Japanese consumers with high-quality U.S. beef at competitive prices. NCBA greatly appreciates Ambassador Tai’s leadership and the hard work of negotiators who have been working on this effort for the past year.” [Statement, 03/24/2022]
Hughes Abell, President, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association: “Japan is consistently one of the largest importers of U.S. and Texas beef, so we are extremely pleased with the prospect of more certainty for U.S. beef producers and Japanese beef consumers alike.” [Statement, 03/24/2022]
Farmers for Free Trade: “Thanks @POTUS and @AmbassadorTai. The U.S. and Japan have agreed to a deal that could allow more exports of American beef into the lucrative Japanese market, in a revision of the Trump administration’s 2019 partial trade pact with Tokyo.” [Tweet, 03/24/2022]
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