Tai: Trade Deals Must Have Bipartisan Support

U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai says any new multilateral Asia Pacific trade deal for the Administration must be bipartisan, while a key bilateral deal with the U.K. may be complicated by continued turbulence in Northern Ireland.

When speaking before the Senate Finance Committee recently, Tai said the Transpacific Partnership, from which the Trump administration withdrew, lacked bipartisan Congressional support, so the Biden White House will not automatically reenter the agreement.

“My focus will be in formulating trade policy here, to find a path that has broad bipartisan support that is going to be effective, and not allow for free ridership on what we put together with our partners.”

Pointing directly at China with its massive subsidies and trade barriers.

Another trade effort with the United Kingdom, is also complicated by regional and political concerns.

“I hear a lot of concerns from members of Congress around the situation in Northern Ireland, that is something we are keeping our eye on…in terms of steps forward with the UK on an agreement.”

Also uncertain, the timing of a Biden nomination of chief Ag negotiator, which she said is a priority for the Administration as well as herself. Tai did not indicate one way or another if the Administration will see Trade Promotion Authority, which allows presidents to see trade deals through Congress with an up or down vote. TPA, Tai noted, must be like TPP, and have “robust bipartisan support.”

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