WASHINGTON – The Office of the United States Trade Representative today announced Kenneth Schagrin as the Assistant United States Trade Representative for the Office of Services & Investment. Mr. Schagrin has served in several vital positions at USTR, including most recently as Acting Assistant United States Trade Representative for Services & Investment.
“Throughout his time at USTR, Ken has served in a diverse range of roles in Washington and Geneva and I am delighted that Ken will formally assume the duties of this important new role,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “As we keep pace with the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing global economy, and continue to strengthen our bilateral and multilateral economic relationships, Ken’s depth of experience will be essential to advancing an inclusive global trade agenda.”
The Office of Services and Investment is responsible for facilitating multilateral and bilateral partnerships in the areas of services, financial services, telecommunications, and digital trade. The Office also manages initiatives involving the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the G20, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations.
Kenneth Schagrin, Assistant United States Trade Representative for Services & Investment
Ken Schagrin will serve is the Assistant United States Trade Representative for Services and Investment. In this capacity, he is responsible for implementing innovative U.S. trade policy regarding services, digital trade, and investment initiatives. His responsibilities also include facilitating bilateral investment treaties and relevant policy in the World Trade Organization, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the G20, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations.
Previously, Mr. Schagrin served as Deputy Assistant United States Trade Representative (DAUSTR) for Services from 2018-2023, where he led various multilateral trade negotiations to promote equitable U.S. trade policy. He was also Deputy Assistant United States Trade Representative for APEC Affairs, where he participated in APEC meetings and advanced U.S. priorities of free trade and investment, in the areas of digital trade, services, and trade facilitation.
Mr. Schagrin initially joined USTR in 2000 as Director of Telecommunication and E-Commerce. From 2008-2015, he worked in the Geneva office as a services negotiator on ITA expansion negotiations and the Geneva lead for the Trade in Services Agreement.
Prior to becoming a trade negotiator, Ken worked as a regulatory attorney at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and in private practice representing clients. From 1999-2000, he worked at the Department of Commerce in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Mr. Schagrin earned a Bachelor of Arts from Clark University (1984), a JD from University at Buffalo, School of Law (1991), and an LLM from the Washington College of Law, the American University (1992), where he was also an adjunct professor of law teaching International Telecommunications Law from 1999-2002.
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