The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity needs strong commitments on labor rights, the environment and on digital trade, among other items, a coalition of organizations and unions told the Biden administration.
A trade group for the Mexican steel industry, CANACERO, warned that Mexico likely will retaliate against U.S. steel exports if the U.S. reimposes 25% tariffs on Mexican steel -- and the U.S. exports much more steel to Mexico than vice versa.
House Ways and Means Committee Trade Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith, R-Neb., said the Biden administration is leaving an opportunity on the table by not continuing negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement with the U.K.
The muted response of the agriculture secretary to Mexico's concessions on genetically modified corn was not enough, according to Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Smith sent a letter Feb. 15 to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai arguing that it is time to initiate a formal dispute over the non-tariff-barriers.
The top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee said renewing the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program and the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill didn't happen last year because Democrats pushed "social policy and environmental policy in MTB and GSP."
Former Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, has joined the American Enterprise Institute as a visiting fellow, the think tank announced. He will focus on expanding free trade, U.S.-China relations, U.S.-Russia relations and the war in Ukraine, as well as some domestic issues. Before serving in the Senate, Portman was a U.S. trade representative during the George W. Bush administration, and headed the Office of Management and Budget during that administration, as well.
The U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council has done some excellent work in technology, according to EU and U.S. trade officials, but it needs to tackle the "trade" part of its mission more directly. A discussion on Making a More Meaningful TTC also included executives from two technology industry associations, who were somewhat less laudatory about its results so far.
A group of Texas members of the House of Representatives wrote to officials at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and USDA lauding their “forceful stand” against Mexican attempts to ban imports of genetically modified corn, and urging them to file a USMCA dispute if an agreement with Mexico is not reached.
With hostile acts like China recently sending a spy balloon drifting across the U.S., Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said it's difficult to manage the U.S.-China relationship "when our economies are deeply integrated."
Kenneth Schagrin, who has held several positions in his more than 20 years with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, has been named assistant U.S. trade representative for the Office of Services and Investment. The office facilitates partnerships in financial services, telecom, digital trade and other services. He previously held the post in an acting position.