Tai to Be Nominated as Biden’s Trade Ambassador

WASHINGTON, DC – President-Elect Joe Biden has selected Katherine Tai as his nominee to head the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) office. If confirmed by the Senate, Tai would replace Robert Lighthizer who has navigated one of the most challenging times in domestic trade policy including agreements with Korea, Japan, a renogiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico, and a Phase One Trade Agreement with China. Though coming in at a difficult time where the USTR is also discussing trade agreements with the United Kingdom, European Union, and Kenya, Tai has had a front-row seat. As the Chief Counsel of the House Ways and Means Committee, the group that has extensive oversight and provides negotiating directives to the administration, Tai also spent time with USTR under President Obama as the chief China enforcement official. Agricultural interests have responded favorably to the announcement. No names have surfaced yet regarding the role of Chief Ag Negotiator, currently held by Gregg Doud and formerly by Darcy Vetter.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)