After Success With China and USMCA, What’s Next?

WASHINGTON, DC – Now that the United States and China have agreed to a Phase One trade deal; and a pact with Canada and Mexico (USMCA) will soon be law; what’s next for the U.S. trade ambassador? According to multiple media reports, European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan spent a few days around the White House suggesting the administration work to confront global issues through an amended trade agreement. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross suggested that with the advances over the past week that “our position is infinitely better already just because of these two deals.” Hogan, however, was quick to remind that there will be no negotiations on an agricultural trade deal with the U.S., though he did leave the door open to consider discussions on sanitary and phytosanitary barriers. Currently, the European trade bloc is dealing with its second-largest member, the United Kingdom (UK), preparing to exit at the end of this month – also known as Brexit. Other successful negotiations by the U.S. Trade Representatives Office (USTR) this year include an updated trade agreement with South Korea, a trade deal with Japan, and a breakthrough agreement late last year to expand U.S. beef access to the EU market.