WASHINGTON – The Office of the United States Trade Representative today announced that Sarah Ellerman will serve as the Assistant United States Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Ellerman has more than two decades of experience in developing and implementing trade policy and has served in several key roles in USTR, including most recently as Assistant USTR for Southeast Asia and the Pacific (Acting).
Ellerman will continue to serve as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework Pillar I Chief Negotiator.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to deepening our economic engagement throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and Sarah has played an essential role in delivering on that vision,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “As USTR’s chief negotiator for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, she is developing an ambitious framework that will strengthen our ties to a dynamic and critical region. I congratulate Sarah on today’s announcement and am excited for her to continue representing our office throughout Southeast Asia.”
USTR's Office of Southeast Asia and the Pacific seeks to enhance bilateral trade and investment relations with the countries of Southeast Asia, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.
The office also works to advance relations regionally through initiatives with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Sarah Ellerman, Assistant United States Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific
Sarah Ellerman has over twenty years of experience in developing and implementing trade policy in the areas of manufacturing, services, and investment in markets around the world. Prior to her current position, Sarah served as Deputy Assistant USTR for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Sarah joined USTR’s Office of Services & Investment in 2014, where she led negotiation and implementation of trade agreements relating to financial services, including the U.S. – Mexico – Canada Agreement, U.S. – Japan Digital Trade Agreement, U.S. and China Economic and Trade Agreement, U.S.- UK Covered Agreement, the U.S. – EU Covered Agreement, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Ms. Ellerman came to USTR from the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she held a variety of roles in the International Trade Administration working on trade remedy issues, including as Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. Ms. Ellerman was selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce to participate in the Brookings Institution’s Legis Congressional Fellowship program, where she worked on legislation related to trade and manufacturing matters for a U.S. Senator. Ms. Ellerman previously served as First Secretary in the Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China. Sarah is a graduate of Hollins College.
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